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blockonthenewkid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
John Carter of Mario, your (sons) princess is in another castle!
Awaiting the next book, the inevitable kidnapping and totally unforeseen revelation of another undiscovered race on Mars!
In the midst of the formulaic seems a genuine imagination, exploring Barsoom and its alternative ecology. A better clip again than previous books, and the use of third person made it more enjoyable than the self-aggrandizing protagonist of the previous trilogy. The nature of reality and mind-made men in Lothario was an avenue begging for further exploration, but either Burroughs was not up to the task or left it for a later installment.
Awaiting the next book, the inevitable kidnapping and totally unforeseen revelation of another undiscovered race on Mars!
In the midst of the formulaic seems a genuine imagination, exploring Barsoom and its alternative ecology. A better clip again than previous books, and the use of third person made it more enjoyable than the self-aggrandizing protagonist of the previous trilogy. The nature of reality and mind-made men in Lothario was an avenue begging for further exploration, but either Burroughs was not up to the task or left it for a later installment.
kb_208's review against another edition
3.0
Another good read in the Mars series. This one actually centers around Cathorsis, John Carter's son and Thuvia of Ptarth, who was met in the previous two books. John Carter is only referenced to in this story. It's another action rescue story where they find themselves in a strange city in the north. The story is decent, but it's not as good as the previous ones. It's still worth checking out though.
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up from a library giveaway shelf and went in with low expectations - somehow I'd never read anything by Rice Burroughs before, and it was long after reading some of the Dray Prescot books that I realized how transparently derivative they were of the Barsoom stories. I should have known, with ERB's work being wildly popular and remaining so about 100 years later, that there must be something to it. And sure enough, the world-building is surprisingly creative, and the story impressively well-plotted, with twists and turns to match much of modern SF/fantasy writing. The downside, of course, is the archaic narration style, the excessive references to the "clean limbed fighting man" and the "slender figure of the girl" with the "shapely shoulders", not to mention the rather silly romantic interplay between the characters. Then there's the pinup-girl cover art and the name that could have come from a pharmaceutical marketing department. But getting past all that, the technologies, the politics, and the undiscovered wonders of Mars make this worth the read. The encounter with the Lotharians reads like an original Star Trek episode - though again, considering the timing, it's actually the other way around. Yes, I realize I should have read the first three books first, but general familiarity with the world of John Carter and Dejah Thoris from numerous other cultural references were enough of a foundation for this one, and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it.
exile's review against another edition
3.0
I think by this time Eddie has gotten tired writing the same story...
angelarenea's review against another edition
2.0
These books have all started to meld together so correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the last book all about rescuing a slave? Or was that this book? Either way, this whole mess begins with the casual bartering of slaves by John Carter's son. Which of course causes the woman he loves, but turned him down because she is already betrothed, to need rescuing, which Carthoris is more than happy to start a war or two over. Needless to say we win the girl over, even though she has already said no. (Because what's better than a good old fashion lesson saying that if you get turned down you just have to keep asking and you get what you want). All tied up with a nice big bow of John Carter showing up for dramatic effect to save the day or blow some people up, which ever is fine.
dotorsojak's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars rounded up
Certainly not one of the best of the Barsoom novels. Interesting for its portrayal of the lost city of... where the "essentialists" and the "realists" continue their centuries long debate on the nature of reality. Carthoris has essentially no personality other than that he is John Carter's son, a kind of mini-me for JC.
Fun if you like this sort of sword fighting fantasy.
Certainly not one of the best of the Barsoom novels. Interesting for its portrayal of the lost city of... where the "essentialists" and the "realists" continue their centuries long debate on the nature of reality. Carthoris has essentially no personality other than that he is John Carter's son, a kind of mini-me for JC.
Fun if you like this sort of sword fighting fantasy.
haazex's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, not as good as parts 1-3, yet in the very same realm. Here we are again battling lizard men and banths on the great dry plains of Barsoom. Published in 1916.
paperrhino's review against another edition
2.0
This fourth in the Barsoon series is the first not to follow the nietzschean super man like character of John Carter. In this case, the main heroes are Carthoris, John's son, and Thuvia, Carthoris's love interest. However, despite this the book follows the same patterns as the previous books. Once again a new race of Martians is discovered and once again there are characters with unexplained super powers which come to the rescue just as things are at their most grim. The story itself is entertaining but the books are starting to become a bit monotonous. There is only one more book in the series that is in the public domain and I think it will be the last Burroughs that I read for awhile.
death_bringer's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5