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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
About the author
Jack Vance
775 books1,610 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, Ellery Queen, Alan Wade.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
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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