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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Boring, derived and more of the same. And Burroughs still can't craft a truly compelling female character.
Kind of liked it because it was so Freakin weird, even by pulp fiction standards. Spider heads are awesome.
This is the best of the Barsoom books, perhaps the equal of A PRINCESS OF MARS. Imaginative, adventurous, and full of well earned suspense and romance.
The fifth of Edgar Rice Burrough's Barsoom series of books, this is a return to form after the somewhat disappointing Thuvia, Maid of Mars
I think a large part of the reason for that is because (I have heard) that previous installment was written in installments, which shows throughout the story. I don't know if this one was or not, but it does seem to 'flow' better.
Like Thuvia, neither John Carter himself nor his son Carthoris are the central characters: rather, it is his daughter Tara who is one of the key characters. like the very first book(s), this is book-ended as Edgar Rice Burrough's recounting the tale told to him by John Carter, who only has a minor role in this story, both at the beginning and end.
There's no denying that it does follow the same plot arc as many of the previous books which, one could argue, might show a lack of imagination. However, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
I think a large part of the reason for that is because (I have heard) that previous installment was written in installments, which shows throughout the story. I don't know if this one was or not, but it does seem to 'flow' better.
Like Thuvia, neither John Carter himself nor his son Carthoris are the central characters: rather, it is his daughter Tara who is one of the key characters. like the very first book(s), this is book-ended as Edgar Rice Burrough's recounting the tale told to him by John Carter, who only has a minor role in this story, both at the beginning and end.
There's no denying that it does follow the same plot arc as many of the previous books which, one could argue, might show a lack of imagination. However, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Formulaic as expected.
Some fun sci-fi elements, and weird creepy aspects. The headless bodies controlled (and eaten) by spider heads, the taxidermied dead in the city. Burroughs almost venturing into horror with this one. More fun than most of the previous books, and a slightly stronger female character.
Some fun sci-fi elements, and weird creepy aspects. The headless bodies controlled (and eaten) by spider heads, the taxidermied dead in the city. Burroughs almost venturing into horror with this one. More fun than most of the previous books, and a slightly stronger female character.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A pretty darn good one in the Mars series. I felt Thuvia, Maid of Mars was a little lacking, but this one makes up for that. This one, again, does not focus on John Carter, but rather his daughter Tara, which he suddenly has. She gets captured by the Kaldanes, which are spider-like creatures and can attach themselves to these headless human bodies, called rykors, and control them for their own use. She also gets captured by the Manatorians, which are the chess players; but they play using real people on a life-size board. It's good stuff.
An interesting culture in Manator for sure.
Will see if anyone is actually playing Martian chess (Jetan).
Will see if anyone is actually playing Martian chess (Jetan).