A time and a place

Summary/Review: "Barnabus J. Wildebear's life steps off a cliff when his nephew, Ridley, is recruited by an enigmatic alien to help fight a war half-way across the galaxy. As Ridley's only living relative, nothing means more to Wildebear than keeping Ridley safe. Unfortunately, rescuing Ridley means travelling through a dangerous portal capable of transporting Wildebear not only to other worlds and times, but into the very minds of alien beings. Just about anywhere, it seems, except where Wildebear actually wants to go. Trying to save Ridley, Wildebear is forced to evade alien armies, survive telepathic assaults, and inhabit the minds of monsters, aliens and even a seagull, all while navigating the titanic clash between two ancient powers. Is there even such a thing as choice? Is all this trouble worth it for an ungrateful teenager who doesn't even want to be saved? Yet Wildebear cannot fail. To do so would mean failing not only his nephew and humanity, but himself."--