Basilisk Book

Basilisk is a novel by NM Browne, and eligible for the 2003-4 OUSFG Award.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0747563268/

"Basilisk is a rich and evocative story of greed, power and deception which sweeps from the underground cave network of the Combers, living like spiders amongst the endless tunnels and ropes, to the beautiful city inhabited by Abovers. The two worlds should never meet, but when the body of a murdered Abover appears in the combs, their worlds begin to draw closer and the corrupt dictator Arkel sees that his power over both is threatened. This is a brilliantly imagined and original novel, which will draw you into a dark and disturbing world.