Be aware that this book does not end.
Nevertheless, it is thoroughly enjoyable. A bit more action than the first book, but still emotional and insightful. Here the Atheism is quite apparent as the truth behind the Therns and Issus are revealed. Hopefully the rest of the series is as good. ( )

While I enjoyed the first novel in this series, Princess of Mars, it didn't blow me away and I expected more of the same from The Gods of Mars. However, a couple of chapters in I knew I would love this book. John Carter finds himself returned to Barsoom (Mars) at the beginning of this novel. He's landed in what many Barsoomians imagine to be heaven, but it's more like a hell on Mars. The entire book is basically John Carter's journey to reunite with his Princess / Wife / Baby Mama Deja and it is so glorious.

This book feels like the song The Boys Are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy. Every few chapters or so John Carter finds himself in a dangerous situation, turns around and is surprised to find one of his old friends from the last novel there just in time to help him save the day. It's so improbable and ridiculous, but you end up loving it because the boys are back in town and they're about to kick some ass.

As fun as this novel is it also does a great examination of religion. This is science fiction at its best, an out of this world story to examine very real world issues. Gods of Mars examines how so many different cultures believe their religion or faith is the "right" faith without deeply exploring and examining it or what else exists in the world.

Gods of Mars also examines how religion is used to justify the demeaning and degradation of others. I think this is an especially important theme because John Carter is a confederate soldier. White Christians in his time and before his time used Christianity to justify their "owning" of black slaves. Burroughs reverses the races (in my mind to make this story more comfortable for the white Americans he wrote this for) but his point is hammered home in a very light and fun way.

I love a good fun book with a message. 5/5 all the way. ( )

La extraordinaria crónica del más famoso héroe interplanetario de nuestro tiempo, John Carter, del Planeta Rojo, en busca de la maravillosa y hermosísima princesa marciana Dejah Thoris... He aquí el valle Dor, con sus morbosos cultivadores, el Mar Perdido de Korus, los grandes Monos Blancos Sagrados, los Sumos Sacerdotes Inmortales que sólo se alimentan de carne humana suministrada por los Viciosos Verdugos...

The mighty airship pirates make their first appearance in this volume of the Barsoom saga along with Thuvia the maid of Mars. The Black Pirates are the First Born race of Barsoom

"The First Born do no work. The men fight--that is a sacred
privilege and duty; to fight and die for Issus. The women do
nothing, absolutely nothing. Slaves wash them, slaves dress
them, slaves feed them. There are some, even, who have
slaves that talk for them, and I saw one who sat during
the rites with closed eyes while a slave narrated to her the
events that were transpiring within the arena."

Burroughs doesn't think to highly of the black skinned race of Barsoom, but still manages to impress and make an ally of one of his opponents.

John Carter is as honorable and heroic as ever
I said, placing my hand upon his shoulder,
"you know best the promptings of your own heart. That I
shall need your sword I have little doubt, but accept from
John Carter upon his sacred honour the assurance that he
will never call upon you to draw this sword other than in
the cause of truth, justice, and righteousness."

Truth Justice and the American way, I wonder if the creators of superman were John Carter fans.

Thuvia is just itching to be with him

"I forget nothing, my Prince," she replied. "You have
spoken no word of love to me, nor do I expect that you
ever shall; but nothing can prevent me loving you. I would
not take the place of Dejah Thoris. My greatest ambition is to
serve you, my Prince, for ever as your slave. No greater boon
could I ask, no greater honour could I crave, no greater
happiness could I hope."

( )

...and I have officially given up on John Carter of Mars.

This book was simply awful. From the ridiculous string of coincidences that open the book, the battles that continually pit John and one other person against hundreds, all the way to the seemingly utter lack of conflict that occurs throughout. John needs to meet a someone to move the next plot point. So, shockingly, he happens to stumble into the exact right room to find them. And they get along like they've been old friends for years. And obstacles? Yeah, they're not really obstacles.

I was really hoping the series might get a touch more grit as it went on, but this was terrible.

And I'm done. ( )