Book Cover of The Gods of Mars

The Gods of Mars

by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Burroughs’ second book in the classic Barsoom series, The Gods of Mars is a scientific fiction novel following the adventures of John Carter as he returns to Mars after a ten year hiatus in the hope of being reunited with his wife, child and the Red Martian people. First published as a five-part serial in a pulp magazine in the course of 1913, the novel was later published as a whole in 1918. A tale of audacity, honor, optimism, and perseverance, Burroughs successfully builds on to the previous book allowing a broader view of the Red Planet. The novel begins as John Carter returns to Barsoom after his involuntary absence of ten years and finds himself in the Valley Dor, or the Barsoomian afterlife from which no one is permitted to leave. However, the Valley Dor is anything but a spiritual haven and instead Carter discovers that it is a ruse, forged by the Therns, a race of self-proclaimed gods. For eons they have deceived Barsoomians into believing that the pilgrimage to the Valley Dor is a journey to paradise, although in reality most visitors are either killed or enslaved by the Therns. Accompanied by friend Tars Tarkas, the pair tries to escape from the place, and are aided by the confusion caused by an attack by the Black Pirates of Barsoom upon the Therns. Taking advantage of the present mayhem, Carter and his accomplices are able to hijack a Black Pirate flier, killing most of the Pirates in the process and saving a Thern captive. Carter learns that the Black Pirates or the “First Born”, also see themselves as gods therefore clarifying their hatred for the Therns. The Red Planet finds itself in a time of crisis, immersed in religious and schismatic conflict, and it is up to Carter to not only participate but maneuver a planetary scale revolution. Burroughs continues his fast moving plot full of action and twists, as the endearing hero must prevail through many obstacles and bring order between the inhabitants, while ultimately reuniting himself with his family. The Gods of Mars is an exciting installment in the Barsoom series which continues to pave the way for science fiction as its protagonist faces his greatest challenges and deadliest dangers to date.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1913

Authors

Edgar Rice Burroughs image

Edgar Rice Burroughs (September 1, 1875 – March 19, 1950) was an American speculative fiction writer, best known for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction and fantasy genres. His...

Books by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

A Fighting Man of Mars Cover image

A Fighting Man of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

In the heart-pounding world of Barsoom, a planet filled with mystery and danger, lies the captivating tale of "A Fighting Man of Mars" by Edgar Rice B...

The Chessmen of Mars Cover image

The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Chessmen of Mars is a science fantasy novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the fifth of his Barsoom series. Burroughs began writing it i...

The War of the Worlds Cover image

The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

Extraterrestrial invasion, the earth taken over by omniscient intelligences from Mars, the whole of humanity under siege and a nameless narrator who s...

Fixed Flight Cover image

Fixed Flight by Maurice Renard

Maurice Renard's 'Fixed Flight' is a captivating tale of aerial adventure that explores the thrilling possibilities of flight. While drawing inspirati...

New Lamps Cover image

New Lamps by Robert Moore Williams

Ronson came to the Red Planet on the strangest mission of all ... he only knew he wanted to see Les Ro, but he didn't know exactly why. It was because...

Crystal Crypt, the & Beyond the Door Cover image

Crystal Crypt, the & Beyond the Door by Philip K. Dick

This collection of short stories by Philip K. Dick showcases his distinct style and exploration of complex themes. 'Crystal Crypt' delves into a war b...

3 Science Fiction Stories by Gerald Vance Cover image

3 Science Fiction Stories by Gerald Vance by Gerald Vance

This collection of three science fiction stories by Gerald Vance explores various themes through captivating narratives set in diverse futuristic sett...

Beast-Jewel of Mars Cover image

Beast-Jewel of Mars by Leigh Douglass Brackett

In a future where Mars is colonized and exploited by Earth corporations, Captain Burk Winters finds himself drawn into the dangerous world of 'Shanga,...

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Cover image

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

An early science fiction novel written by the second most translated author, French writer Jules Verne, the classic tale depicts an incredible sea exp...

Edison's Conquest of Mars Cover image

Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss

Edison's Conquest of Mars, by Garrett P. Serviss, is one of the many science fiction novels published in the nineteenth century. Although science fict...

Reviews for The Gods of Mars

No reviews posted or approved, yet...