Face in the Abyss (Paperback, Abraham Merritt)

The book tells the story of Nicholas Graydon, a wealthy American businessman who discovers a hidden passage that leads him to an underground world inhabited by strange and dangerous creatures. As Graydon explores this strange world, he becomes embroiled in a conflict between two powerful factions: the Gnomes, a race of intelligent beings who worship a powerful crystal that they believe is the source of all life, and the evil sorcerer Phorenceph, who seeks to use the crystal's power to rule over all of creation. With the help of a beautiful Gnome princess named Sariel, Graydon must navigate the treacherous underground world and overcome a series of obstacles and challenges in order to stop Phorenceph and his evil plans. "The Face in the Abyss" is known for its vivid and imaginative descriptions of the underground world, as well as its complex and multi-layered plot. The book also explores themes of power, greed, and the corrupting influence of technology and magic. While it has not been as widely read or studied as some other works of fantasy and science fiction, it remains an entertaining and influential work in the genre.