Sandkings

A wealthy and arrogant man acquires a terrarium containing four distinct colonies of insectoid alien creatures known as sandkings for his private collection. He hosts parties where he forces the creatures to fight each other for his amusement and bets. When the sandkings begin to multiply and grow beyond his control, they escape their enclosure and take over his estate. This science fiction horror story explores hubris, cruelty, and the catastrophic consequences of playing with dangerous alien life.

by George R. R. Martin

Baen Books · First published 1981 · 254 pages