Mi and her three friends are of the People, a hunter/gatherer clan who have trod the earth since the beginning of time. Young and orphaned, the four are eager to begin the annual winter migration. First, however, they must undergo The Breeding, a ceremony designed to ensure the continuation of the species But The Breeding has unexpected and disastrous consequences, leaving the girls outcasts with few prospects and little chance of survival. Now they must stand together against a brutal environment, wild animals, a vicious tribe known as the Raiders, and their own society. No one expects them to succeed-except possibly for the enigmatic Others, who move quietly among the People, pursuing their own mysterious goals A deft exploration of the subjugation and exploitation of women in early civilizations, The Gorge recounts the adventures, trials, bravery, and sacrifice of four girls struggling to understand their place in a world that undervalues their skills, their dreams, and their abilities. Together, they will prove themselves the equals of any warriors, triumph over their enemies, and learn to defend themselves both morally and intellectually. With a little help from the Others, they might just change the world.