A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars was first published over 100 years ago in 1912. It is full of swashbuckling action, a kick-ass princess who fights alongside the soldiers, and the green, 15-foot-tall, four-armed Martian Tharks.

American Civil War veteran John Carter is prospecting in Arizona, where a mysterious cave transports him to the planet Barsoom, which we call Mars. Quickly found by the nomadic Tharks, he is taken into their community and into the friendship of chief Tars Tarkas. Soon, the Princess of Helium, Dejah Thoris, falls in with the Tharks, telling of the rivalry between her people and their enemy, the Zodanga. John Carter joins her cause, and they trek towards bringing peace to Helium. Will they arrive safely? Will there be a battle with the Zodanga? Will John become Prince of Helium?

Many memorable characters join John Carter. The Princess Dejah Thoris is a master swordswoman and ready to fight and lead her people. They are a good match, and besides attraction, there is mutual respect and admiration. With all the names and hierarchy, you might be thinking it's too complicated for enjoyable reading, but once you get to Barsoom, you are into the action, and the writing and characters flow naturally.

A fantastic, rollicking book, filled with romance and action, Disney filmed this adventure as John Carter, but there is more to this novel that the movie didn't tell. With the approval of the Burroughs estate, they incorporated themes, added new ideas. The film was not a hit, criticized for being too complicated, but good science fiction often raises questions and asks you to think a little harder. The book is episodic and goes from a western to a swashbuckling Martian battle, to the romance with Dejah Thoris, back to the 1870's... and .... the story continues after they reach Helium in the sequels The Gods of Mars and The Warlord Of Mars. There is always more to see and discover.

Highly recommended!

1912 / Paperback / 160 pages