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The Last Castle/Nightwings
Features Jack Vance's novel of humanity's final stand and Robert Silverberg's tale of the watcher's journey after invaders from outer space gain control of the Earth
182 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1989
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About the author
Jack Vance
778 books1,588 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, John Holbrook, Ellery Queen, John van See, Alan Wade.
The author was born in 1916 and educated at the University of California, first as a mining engineer, then majoring in physics and finally in journalism. During the 1940s and 1950s, he contributed widely to science fiction and fantasy magazines. His first novel, The Dying Earth , was published in 1950 to great acclaim. He won both of science fiction's most coveted trophies, the Hugo and Nebula awards. He also won an Edgar Award for his mystery novel The Man in the Cage . He lived in Oakland, California in a house he designed.
The author was born in 1916 and educated at the University of California, first as a mining engineer, then majoring in physics and finally in journalism. During the 1940s and 1950s, he contributed widely to science fiction and fantasy magazines. His first novel, The Dying Earth , was published in 1950 to great acclaim. He won both of science fiction's most coveted trophies, the Hugo and Nebula awards. He also won an Edgar Award for his mystery novel The Man in the Cage . He lived in Oakland, California in a house he designed.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 21, 2020
This is Tor Double #15, of a series of 36 double books published from 1988 to 1991 by Tor Books. It contains two novellas, bound together tête-bêche in mass market paperback – back-to-back, inverted, with two front covers and both titles on the spine. The novellas are listed here alphabetically by author; neither should be considered “primary.” Both of these first appeared in that 1960s SF powerhouse, Galaxy Magazine - and went on to win Hugos.
Nightwings, by Robert Silverberg (1968) *****
This was originally published in the September 1968 issue of Galaxy Magazine, and won the 1969 Hugo Award in the novella category. By 1969, Silverberg had continued the story in "Perris Way" and "To Jorslem", and then the three novellas were released as a novel also titled Nightwings.
The main character is a Watcher whose mission is to watch the skies with some sophisticated equipment and to inform the Defenders in the event of an alien invasion. Along with a young Flier girl and a Changeling, he visits the old city of Roum (Rome?), and becomes entangled in events including the possibility of invasion. I found the imagery and emotion of the writing to be unforgettable.
The Last Castle, by Jack Vance (1966) ***
This was originally published in the April 1966 issue of Galaxy Magazine, and won the 1967 Hugo Award and 1967 Nebula in their novella categories. It has been widely anthologized in the years since.
Some humans have returned to their long abandoned homeworld, and live in isolated high-tech castles, where they discuss aestheics, past times and questions of honor and etiquette. Their lifestyle is dependent on a variety of enslaved alien species. Inevitably, the aliens revolt, and the number of remaining castles dwindles to one, which eventually surrenders. However, the exiled humans still control the food supply. A solution in which humans provide their own labor, and the aliens are allowed to return to their native worlds is needed. A classic, but I found it stale by the time I first read it in 2003.
Nightwings, by Robert Silverberg (1968) *****
This was originally published in the September 1968 issue of Galaxy Magazine, and won the 1969 Hugo Award in the novella category. By 1969, Silverberg had continued the story in "Perris Way" and "To Jorslem", and then the three novellas were released as a novel also titled Nightwings.
The main character is a Watcher whose mission is to watch the skies with some sophisticated equipment and to inform the Defenders in the event of an alien invasion. Along with a young Flier girl and a Changeling, he visits the old city of Roum (Rome?), and becomes entangled in events including the possibility of invasion. I found the imagery and emotion of the writing to be unforgettable.
The Last Castle, by Jack Vance (1966) ***
This was originally published in the April 1966 issue of Galaxy Magazine, and won the 1967 Hugo Award and 1967 Nebula in their novella categories. It has been widely anthologized in the years since.
Some humans have returned to their long abandoned homeworld, and live in isolated high-tech castles, where they discuss aestheics, past times and questions of honor and etiquette. Their lifestyle is dependent on a variety of enslaved alien species. Inevitably, the aliens revolt, and the number of remaining castles dwindles to one, which eventually surrenders. However, the exiled humans still control the food supply. A solution in which humans provide their own labor, and the aliens are allowed to return to their native worlds is needed. A classic, but I found it stale by the time I first read it in 2003.
November 25, 2024
The Last Castle: 3 stars
Nightwings: 5 stars
Nightwings: 5 stars
September 6, 2018
Decent pulp, a bit dated and sexist as would be expected.
July 6, 2012
I love the Tor Double Novels. Like getting two books for the price of one. Both of reasonable length, easily able to finish one story in a couple of hours. The Last Castle and Nightwings are more fantasy than science fiction by two award winning authors,Jack Vance (Hugo and Nebula award winner) and Robert Silverberg (author of Sailing to Byzantium). Each one is a different take on protecting one's homeland. By the end of each I was left anting to know more about life in Castle Janeil and the City of Roum.
March 10, 2015
I love these double novels! Both stories are a little sad, but entertaining and quick and easy to read.
May 9, 2025
2 novellas:
**** Nightwings (1968) • Robert Silverberg
**** The Last Castle (1966) • Jack Vance
**** Nightwings (1968) • Robert Silverberg
**** The Last Castle (1966) • Jack Vance
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews