Edgar Rice Burroughs’s A Princess of Mars is the first puzzle piece of Barsoom series. Although, the series is compiled of 11 volumes in total and each one of them holds a special value. A Princess of Mars can tend to be a genuine introduction of heroism and honor to the kids of age 10 – 12. With the power of decent writing, Burroughs changed the face of American literature. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is set on the red planet; Mars. Beginning with John Carter; a Confederate veteran of the American Civil War, the story portrays how he was peculiarly transported to Mars and his involvement in different adventures. However, the tale doesn’t have much social moral or message to deliver. So, A Princess of Mars, in my opinion, can generate high satisfaction and entertainment is you read with no such expectation of moral messages.
To kick start with the plot, John Carter along with his friend James Powell moves to Arizona in the hope of finding gold. But, James is killed by the Indians and in order to evade pursuit John hides himself in a sacred cave where he is knocked out by strange gas and when he is awake, he finds himself on a dying desert planet; Mars. John feels his immense strength that he did not bear on earth. He is incredibly strong and moreover can hop like a super grasshopper. Now with his skill and strength, he keeps himself on vantage side; when he meets Martian tribe and Tars Tarkas, the second-in-command, he proves in combat with Martins. Moreover, he even earns respect and stand among the tribe of Martians.
One day, Martians lead an attack on the Heliumite tribe and captures Heliumite princess Dejah Thoris. John instantly falls in love with the beautiful princess; Dejah. As John discovers Dejah will be sacrificed for the great Martian games, he decides to save her. He attempts to escape Dejah along with Sola; a Martian friend, and his dog Woolah. However, he is captured while protecting them and others make a successful escape. John is thrown into the prison of Warhoon where he meets a Heliumite human named Kanto Kan. Meanwhile, Green Martians decide to pit Jon and Kanto, and whoever wins will be granted freedom. While the battle goes on, John pretends to be killed and helps Kanto free and he makes an escape.
After the escape, John and Kanto meet again in a dangerous city of Zodanga to find Helium has been attacked by Zodangans and the war will only stop if princess Dejah gets married to Zodanga prince Sab Than. Now they make their journey to save Dejah and Helium. On their way, they come across a battle between Martian tribe of the Thark and the Warhoon tribe. Now John immediately decides to join the war and protect Tars from Warhoons. With his contribution Tars win and handover the supreme leadership of all Martians to John. Boosted and strengthened with won tribe, John takes over Zodanga. Everything goes normal; John and Dejah get married, a friendly alliance is built up between Martians and Heliumites, until one day after nine years it is revealed that the entire planet will die of suffocation as the atmospheric factories of Mars have been stopped.
Once more, Mars is in-need of a hero that could save everyone from the suffocation. But unfortunately, John fails and passes out. With a miracle, he survives but this time he is not on Mars or saving Mars, he has returned back to the Arizona cave. That means he is back on earth. There in Arizona cave he finds gold (his old motive) and lives a wealthy life in New York. He writes everything that he experiences; his journey from earth to mars and back to earth. Moreover, he wishes that everything goes fine on Mars until one day he will see the Martian world again.
I believe A Princess of Mars is a perfect science fiction novel that mixes up with plenty more taste of love, war, space, history, fantasy, adventure, and many more and yet taste good. I would especially recommend it to kids as it is a fun read that will at least be a step in developing reading habits in them. And to be general this book is perfect for those who are seeking adventure in a book. You can download A Princess of Mars book from the link mentioned below;
