Nathan David Wilson (born 1978) is an American author of young adult fiction. Other potent archetypes are drawn in too, not least the morally ambiguous Green Man, a power of nature that is both regeneration and destruction.Young adult fiction, Children's literature, Apologetics

Powerfully, Hyacinth becomes Moses cast adrift on the Nile in a rush basket, abandoned, only so that she can later return as saviour of her people. Like Pullman, he sometimes draws on Biblical symbolism, but as an image rather than a precept. Like Tolkien, he presents an image of ultimate evil without actually defining it, so that it can represent whatever a reader sees it as. This is fantasy at is classic best, reinvented through the pen and imagination of a very fine writer. The fungus 'gollums' are the epitome of manipulated menace, and her other minions, wolves, wizards, blade-slaves and ravens add terror to the marauding host. Her dependence upon the life force she sucks out of others provides the most potent of images. The passage where she draws on her (stolen) power to create the tree doors is one of the most gruesomely compelling I have read for a long time. Eyeless and seeing only through those of her scabby cat, its Witch-Queen of Endor is everything of The White Witch, The Snow Queen, or The Wicked Witch of the West, but with a real presence of putrid evil She is malice personified. In contrast the story's stereotypes of evil are boldly archetypal. Not, of course, that there aren't chills and thrills galore in the unfolding fantasy itself, which grows from small beginnings to earth-shattering climax. In fact the human story is often as interesting and engaging as the high excitement and action of the fantasy world encounters, and that too is an important part of the tale's fascinating hold.

He allows the reader to piece together what is happening, often echoing protagonist, Henry's own gradual realisation of the import and implication of his situation.

Wilson eschews heavy up-front exposition, but rather lets the story unfold in the telling. This language is never 'fancy' but rather communicates directly and powerfully with the reader. Added to this is the author's wonderful skill with language, where words and phrases are often used quite magically to conjure images of people and places and to evoke effecting thoughts and reactions. Not least is a delightfully dry humour which permeates, especially in the 'real world' sections of the story.

The Door Before by N.D. Wilson