SOLVED. Book about secret race of dwarves with human slaves [s]

[Jeff]

I remember reading this years ago. I believe the protagonist was an adult human male that was forced to live and work in leg-irons mining for humans. He escapes by bending the chain-link attached to the leg irons back and forth until they wear out, and he tries to escape the mine. While trying to escape, I think he manages to find an entire culture of dwarves living below the mines he was working in. I think in the world of the book, dwarves are rumored, but no one really believes the rumors.

One of the things that sticks out in my mind is that the dwarves are fairly cruel to the humans, and ride around on saddles on the slaves backs and have no compunction about whipping them.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

When was this set? Modern, historical? A "normal" earth or more a fantasy one?

[Jeff]

I think it was more of a historical period, and I think that the surface people are farily similar to our world.

[Scott]

This has to be The Earth Lords

[Jeff]

We have a winner! If you have a Paperbackswap account, send me a PM, and I will give you a credit over there...

[Scott]

Jeff wrote: "We have a winner! If you have a Paperbackswap account, send me a PM, and I will give you a credit over there..."

I don't yet, but I will in a minute!