The Gods of Mars

The Gods of Mars is a science fantasy novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the second of his Barsoom series. It was first published in The All-Story as a five-part serial in the issues for January–May 1913. It was later published as a complete novel by A. C. McClurg in September, 1918.

Before many of the current genres were cemented, Edgar Rice Burroughs began putting out a seemingly endless blur of sci-fi/fantasy/pulp fiction books, starting with A Princess of Mars. The next installment in his Martian - or Barsoom - series is The Gods of Mars (1918), featuring John Carter. He's an ex-Civil War vet, chock full of heroic, non-PC manliness. Carter returns to Mars after 10 years to find himself in a paradise, reunited with his wife Deja Thoris, but soon Barsoom becomes a war zone.

The diabolical Therns, a race of evil priests, have unleashed plant men and white apes to kill the innocent religious pilgrims. Carter hooks up again with his buddy Tars Tarkas, and hottie Thuvia, to battle the evil priests. There's action and adventure on every page, as John Carter is faced with new opponents to battle relentlessly. Burroughs uses language from a century ago, but don't let it slow you down - it's charming and fun after a chapter or two. This series is bound to captivate all audiences, as Burroughs dishes out heaps of good clean action - and it's a perfect entree into sci-fi for younger boys. They'll want to read the whole collection before the film John Carter of Mars comes out in 2012.