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Summary: Think Burroughs Only Wrote Tarzan Books? Think Again!
Review: It's too bad that millions of people think that Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote only Tarzan stories. So many Tarzan fans have no idea that the same author who gave them the Lord of the Jungle also wrote a great series of Martian adventures.Chessmen of Mars is the fifth book in Burroughs' Mars series, and many critics consider it the best of the lot. Tara, Princess of Helium, is a rich, somewhat spoiled girl who goes on a joyride only to be thrown off-course by a powerful storm. Tara finds herself in a strange region of her planet, surrounded by strange beings and dangerous circumstances. Burroughs had a talent for producing very exciting tales from a full-speed-ahead imagination. He even has some fun with the social and political implications of the various races on Mars. Sure, some of the dialogue is cornball, but remember this book was written nearly 80 years ago. If you enjoy Tarzan, Indiana Jones, or just great story-telling, 'Chessmen of Mars' will not disappoint.
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Summary: If I could give this book six stars, I would do it!
Review: More stories followed after this one in the Barsoom series but with one exception none of them really came close to achieving the incredible feat of tale-weaving that Chessmen of Mars pulls off. Thuvia was the first fully capable of Burroughs' Barsoomian heroines, but Tara of Helium despite her petulant and child-like attitude comes across as one of the strongest and most winning heroines of early 20th century fiction. She is equally matched by the courageous and totally dedicated Gahan of Gathol, a jed (prince) from a remote land who falls madly in love with Tara and throws all away to win her love. Tara and Gahan traverse half of Barsoom as they seek to win their way back to Helium, and all the while he poses as a lowly panthan (mercenary) because the haughty Tara has so many forgotten suitors she cannot even recognize him. The most imaginitive parts of the story take place in the land of the Kaldanes, bodiless heads which worship only intellect, and in the barbaric land of Manator. The Manatorians prey upon their neighbors, including Gahan's own land of Gathol. Tara's cold facade of indifference slowly melts away as Gahan braves peril after peril to save her from the clutches on powerful warlords, and all the while he believes she wants nothing to do with him. The best scene in the book comes when Gahan takes on one of the greatest swordsmen in Manator by playing a deadly game of Martian chess for possession of the princess of Helium. And once the action begins in the arena, it doesn't stop until the last page. By the time Tara confesses her true feelings, the reader is assured that Gahan is really getting a prize and not a pouty spoiled princess. Both characters show a lot of growth and resourcefulness in this story. It's well worth the money in any format.
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Summary: So-called "Pulp Fiction" that's definitely worth reading!
Review: The Chessmen of Mars is the fifth book in the "Mars" series written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This book focuses on Tara of Helium, John Carter's daughter. Strange creatures who play deadly games of martian chess decide to use her in one of their live games. As always, Burroughs described everything with such clarity that you can nearly see it. Also, at the end of the book, there is a list of the rules for "jetan", or Martian chess. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
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