Cavern

The salt tunnel excavations for the WIPP site, and the entombment of radioactive material might seem a dangerous enough risk for humanity; but when a newly revealed series of immense caverns leads to the discovery of a colony of colossal bears that have survived and adapted to their subterranean environment since the ice-age glaciers disappeared from what is now the desert southwest, not only is man at risk, but the whole Department of Energy's multi-billion dollar investment in WIPP.

"Cavern is one of the most gripping novels I have read in ages. It is a grand adventure story, a tale of intrigue, science, and terror set in a warren of caverns deep under the Southwestern desert. But it is more than just a heart-pounding thriller: it is a story populated with richly drawn characters, unforgettable descriptions of a magical underground world, exceptionally fine writing, and a creature guaranteed to arouse your most atavistic fears. Jake Page knows his science, and he has created a story that is all too believable. This is most definitely not a novel for anyone with a heart condition or claustrophobia. Read it with the lights on and the doors locked."--Douglas Preston, coauthor of Relic and Thunderhead