However, the exiled humans still control the food supply. Inevitably, the aliens revolt, and the number of remaining castles dwindles to one, which eventually surrenders. Their lifestyle is dependent on a variety of enslaved alien species. 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. It has been widely anthologized in the years since. 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. The Last Castle, by Jack Vance (1966) *** I found the imagery and emotion of the writing to be unforgettable.

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.

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. 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.

This was originally published in the September 1968 issue of Galaxy Magazine, and won the 1969 Hugo Award in the novella category.

Nightwings, by Robert Silverberg (1968) ***** 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. 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. This is Tor Double #15, of a series of 36 double books published from 1988 to 1991 by Tor Books.

Tor fiction