"McNeill has created a fabulous universe packed full of wonder and terror. <em>The Beginning Woods</em> has earned its place on a shelf with <em>Gormenghast</em> and <em>The Princess Bride</em>. I loved every word and was envious of quite a few. It opened my eyes wide and quickened my heart. A modern classic: rich, funny and terrifying." —Eoin Colfer, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of Artemis Fowl<br /><br />"Highly original and beguiling début that promises magic, terror and the dark menace of fairytales." —<em>The Bookseller</em><br /><br />“Complex, playful, philosophical, with mysterious vanishings and censorship of dreams.” –Imogen Russel-Williams, <em>The Guardian</em><br /><br />"A dazzling and beguiling tale . . . A mesmerizing new voice, and a book that deserves to vanish off the bookshop shelves." —<em>Herald</em> (Scotland)