Beyond the Hole in the Universe — Kurt Kasner

After several pleasant but uneventful months of life in the Vale of Epthan, Lee Christopher has become bored and restless. At the suggestion of the Childreth Epthan twins, Arwon and Ilan, he and his friends embark on a raft trip down the River Grosht. Their destination is Ipthel Grosht, the greatest city of the Westlands. Their excursion will have unexpected consequences, and their trek will eventually carry them far beyond the Westlands to previously unimaginable locations. Ahead of them lie many episodes of grand adventure -- but they must also endure a heartbreaking tragedy, which will turn the Earthlings' lives upside down . . . So opens the second volume in the “Hole in the Universe” saga: BEYOND THE HOLE IN THE UNIVERSE. The Earthlings' quest to get back home has been put on hold for a time, but behind the scenes, a sinister plot is being hatched. The children's presence in the World Next Door has been the cause of turmoil since their arrival; soon a series of carefully orchestrated events will be set in motion, one which will eventually bring about the greatest threat the Westlands have ever faced. The Forces of Darkness are assumed to be leaderless since the defeat of Uldreg at the hands of the Guardians. One day soon, however, they will be on the move, initiating a titanic struggle for domination of the World. Before they can return home, the visitors from Earth must come to grips with their role in bringing about the conflict which will come to be known as the Final War -- -- and an unforeseen consequence, so calamitous as to be totally unthinkable . . .