The Hour of the Gate

Spellsinger Jon-Tom follows bespectacled turtle wizard Clothahump in search of allies against the invading insect Plated Folk, armed with new magic — and a way home to our world.

The crew includes his crush Flor, the five-foot otter Mudge, red-haired Talea, the big bat Pog, gambler Caz, and the dragon Falameezar.

Froggy Bribbens guides them through a split river under the mountain but no farther, to the arachnid Weavers or the mythical Ironcloud.