The Gods of Mars
The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
📘 About This Book
After the long exile on Earth, John Carter finally returned to his beloved Mars. But beautiful Dejah Thoris, the woman he loved, had vanished. Now he was trapped in the legendary Eden of Mars, an Eden from which none ever escaped alive. Three monstrous white apes sprang into the arena. On her throne, Issus, the living goddess of the First Born, leaned forward in keen anticipation. At length the apes spied the huddled knot of terror-stricken maidens and, with demoniacal shrieks of bestial frenzy, charged upon them. A wave of mad fury surged over me. A single blow sent my guard unconscious to the ground. Snatching up his long- sword, I leaped into the arena. The sword whirled and a great ape sprawled headless at the feet of the fainting girls. The other apes were upon me -- now but my act had heartened the prisoners, and the cages vomited forth their inmates hot with the lust to kill- doomed men dedicated to revenge upon Issus! But against each of us were a thousand warriors of the First Born
📖 Summary
"The Gods of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is the thrilling second installment in the famed Barsoom series, picking up ten years after the events of "A Princess of Mars." The story begins with John Carter, the Warlord of Mars, mysteriously returning to the Valley of Dor—the forbidden Barsoomian afterlife—desperate to reunite with his lost love, Dejah Thoris. Upon his arrival, Carter discovers a horrifying truth: the holy religion of the Therns and the fierce Goddess Issus are based on a cruel deception. Instead of finding paradise, those who make the pilgrimage down the River Iss are enslaved or fed to the carnivorous plant-men, the Plant Hors. Carter is soon thrust into a massive adventure spanning strange and exotic regions of Mars, including the subterranean world of the Okar, the white-furred, four-armed northern giants. Along the way, he allies with old friends like Tars Tarkas and new comrades, including Xodar, a disgraced black Thern who eventually helps Carter see the flaws in his people's false divinity. As tensions mount, Carter must navigate treacherous politics, deadly creatures, and massive armies to overthrow the tyrannical religious hierarchy. He discovers that Dejah Thoris and other noble women of Barsoom are trapped within the Temple of Issus, guarded by fanatical forces. Carter rallies the various factions of Mars, uniting nomadic green Martians, rebellious red Martians, and fierce naval fleets to storm the holy city of Issus. The narrative is a masterclass in classic planetary romance, filled with breathtaking sword fights, daring escapes, and world-building that cement Mars as a living, breathing, and dangerous frontier. Ultimately, the novel sets the stage for even grander conflicts, establishing John Carter not just as a romantic hero, but as a legendary liberator who shatters centuries of religious oppression and reshapes the destiny of an entire planet.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"To be dead upon Barsoom is simply to change one's form, to lie a bit more quietly, to dream a trifle less disturbingly than when alive."
"A man's true wealth is not measured in the things he possesses, but in the courage of his convictions and the justice of his cause."
"There are no gods upon Barsoom, save those which man has fashioned in his own image to serve his own ends of power and greed."
"Hope dies hardest in the human breast—or in that of a Martian, which is much the same when separated from those they love."
"Custom and superstition are more formidable barriers than steel walls or the fathomless deeps of forgotten seas."
"Love laughs at shackles, and the human spirit—be it of Earth or Mars—refuses to bow long to tyranny."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Imaginative and richly detailed world-building that expands the Barsoom universe.
Fast-paced, action-packed narrative filled with classic sword-and-planet adventure.
Memorable, larger-than-life characters and exotic alien species.
⚠️ Cons
Pacing can occasionally feel episodic and heavily reliant on coincidences.
Dated writing style and character archetypes typical of early 20th-century pulp fiction.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, if you enjoy classic pulp adventure, imaginative world-building, and high-stakes planetary romance.
How long does it take to read? +
Most readers can finish this novel in about 4 to 6 hours, depending on reading speed.
What is the main message? +
The book emphasizes the importance of challenging false religious dogma and fighting courageously for personal freedom and justice.
