Sandkings – George RR Martin (1981)

“Sandkings”, written by George R.R. Martin and published in 1981, is a gripping science fiction novella blending horror and morality. It follows Simon Kress, a wealthy and sadistic man who acquires alien creatures, the Sandkings, for entertainment. These creatures, with their hive minds and reverence for a perceived deity, spiral out of Kress’s control, leading to catastrophic consequences. The story delves into themes of hubris, cruelty, and the repercussions of unchecked power.

Plot Summary

Simon Kress lived alone in his sprawling manor, surrounded by barren, rocky hills. A collector of exotic and dangerous pets, he prided himself on his indulgence in the macabre and unusual. But when an extended absence led to the death of his current collection—a carrion hawk, a shambler, and Earth piranhas—Kress found himself bored and restless. Determined to replace them with something even more extraordinary, he traveled to Asgard, the largest city on Baldur, to seek a new acquisition.

Wandering through the chaotic streets near the starport, Kress stumbled upon a peculiar shop called Wo and Shade. Its mist-filled windows, shifting between shadow and light, hinted at wonders within. There, he encountered Jala Wo, a gaunt woman who offered him something unique: Sandkings. These small, insect-like creatures shared a hive mind, with each colony dominated by a central, immobile figure called the maw. Divided into four groups—white, black, red, and orange—the Sandkings displayed a startling intelligence. They built intricate castles, fought wars, and, most intriguingly, worshipped their perceived deity. Wo demonstrated this reverence by showing him castles adorned with her face, carved by the creatures.

Kress, both amused and intrigued, purchased the Sandkings. Wo issued a warning: the Sandkings required care and respect, or they could grow uncontrollable. Kress dismissed her caution, blinded by his desire for amusement. Soon, the terrarium was installed in his living room, and Kress watched with fascination as the Sandkings awakened and began constructing their castles. He introduced food, observing the colonies’ strategic battles for resources. Over time, their castles rose in splendor, their walls bearing his image. His vanity swelled as he saw himself worshipped, but it was not enough. Kress craved more.

To entertain his guests, Kress began hosting parties, showcasing the Sandkings’ wars as spectacle. The battles grew increasingly brutal as he manipulated the creatures, starving them to provoke aggression. Friends placed bets on the colonies, laughing as the creatures tore each other apart. While most marveled at Kress’s “entertainment,” others were appalled. Cath m’Lane, a former lover, condemned his cruelty and stormed out after one party. Her disapproval mattered little to Kress, who basked in the attention his Sandkings brought.

As the weeks passed, the Sandkings adapted to Kress’s manipulations. The orange colony, weakest from the start, dwindled further, while the others thrived on violence. Their carvings of his face, once flattering, began to distort. Their likenesses twisted into grotesque parodies, their grins sinister and malevolent. Angered, Kress lashed out. He attacked the castles, destroying the structures and stabbing at the maws beneath. The Sandkings trembled but survived, their defiance enraging him further. In his fury, he tampered with the tank’s environment, unleashing artificial rain that drowned their creations.

Despite his efforts to assert control, the Sandkings adapted and persisted. They continued to grow, their resilience unnerving Kress. One evening, during an argument with Cath, she smashed the terrarium with a sledgehammer, unleashing the creatures. In the chaos, Cath met a grisly end as the Sandkings swarmed her. Kress, terrified, fled the scene, abandoning his once-prized pets to their freedom.

Returning cautiously, Kress discovered the Sandkings had escaped into his home and grounds. The white colony had established itself in his wine cellar, the blacks in his rock garden, and the reds in his neglected swimming pool. Their castles had grown larger, their numbers multiplied, and their carvings of his face had become more grotesque. The oranges, seemingly defeated, were nowhere to be found. Desperate to reclaim his home, Kress attempted to poison the colonies, but the maws thrived on the bait.

As fear gripped him, Kress hired Lissandra, a mercenary, and her team to exterminate the creatures. Armed with flamethrowers and explosives, they launched an assault on the colonies. The black and red castles were destroyed, but at a great cost. The Sandkings’ traps and sheer numbers overwhelmed two operatives. When the team turned their attention to the cellar, the whites mounted a fierce defense. A massive white Sandking attacked Lissandra, injuring her, and her remaining operative refused to continue.

In his panic, Kress killed Lissandra and her operative, feeding their bodies to the whites. He sealed the cellar door, believing he could appease the creatures by granting them sustenance. The act brought him a twisted sense of calm, but the Sandkings’ hold over his psyche deepened. Paranoia consumed him. He heard their movements in the walls, felt their presence growing closer. Their psionic influence invaded his mind, amplifying his fear and desperation.

Finally, Kress decided to flee, but the Sandkings had other plans. They had grown far beyond his control, their collective intelligence and malice turned entirely against him. His once-godlike status had crumbled; he was no longer their master but their prey. As their influence closed in, Kress realized the full extent of his folly. The creatures he had sought to dominate had outgrown him, and now, they awaited their final reckoning.

Main Characters

• Simon Kress: The protagonist and antihero, Kress is a wealthy and arrogant man whose cruel treatment of the Sandkings reveals his selfishness and lust for control. His descent into paranoia and fear showcases his lack of morality and his inability to foresee the consequences of his actions.

• Jala Wo: A mysterious shopkeeper who sells the Sandkings to Kress. Her cryptic warnings about the creatures highlight her deep understanding of their nature. She functions as a harbinger of doom in the story.

• The Sandkings: Alien creatures with hive minds, divided into four distinct colonies based on color (white, black, red, orange). They revere their “god,” Simon, but their evolution and intelligence ultimately turn the tables on their master.

• Cath m’Lane: A former lover of Kress who is repulsed by his cruelty. She acts as a moral counterpoint to Kress but meets a tragic end due to her confrontation with him.

• Idi Noreddian and Jad Rakkis: Friends and acquaintances of Kress who become unwitting participants in his sadistic games, further illuminating Kress’s character and the destructiveness of his actions.

Theme

1. Hubris and the Corruption of Power: Kress’s belief in his god-like control over the Sandkings leads to his downfall. His exploitation of the creatures reflects the dangers of unchecked power and arrogance.

2. Human Cruelty and the Consequences of Sadism: The novella critiques cruelty, showing how Kress’s sadistic tendencies bring suffering to both himself and others. His lack of empathy sets the stage for his tragic demise.

3. Deification and Reverence: The Sandkings’ worship of Kress as their deity is a powerful commentary on the responsibilities of leadership and the consequences of neglecting those under one’s care.

4. Nature’s Resistance to Domination: The novella explores the idea that nature and life forms, even when seemingly under control, can rebel and assert their own will when pushed too far.

Writing Style and Tone

George R.R. Martin’s writing in Sandkings is evocative and rich in atmospheric detail. He masterfully constructs a claustrophobic and escalating sense of dread. The vivid descriptions of the Sandkings’ alien physiology and the meticulous depiction of their hive dynamics bring the creatures to life while unsettling the reader. His prose is straightforward yet deeply immersive, blending horror and science fiction seamlessly.

The tone of the story is dark, ominous, and cautionary. It shifts from a sense of detached curiosity, as Kress marvels at his “pets,” to an intense atmosphere of horror and chaos as the creatures grow beyond his control. This tonal shift mirrors Kress’s psychological unraveling, making the reader feel his escalating fear and desperation. Martin’s storytelling is unflinching, with moments of brutal violence and moral ambiguity that resonate long after the story concludes.