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Swords of Mars
First published 1936 · 528 pages
A breathless, sword-swinging leap into a vintage cosmos where honor and peril collide on alien moons.
What it feels like
Reading this classic planetary romance feels like unearthing a time capsule of pure, unadulterated pulp energy. The narrative moves at a brisk, swashbuckling clip, trading deep psychological realism for the sheer thrill of undercover infiltration and high-stakes swordplay. You are immediately swept into an exotic, perilous atmosphere where the stakes are always life-or-death and the heroes are unironically valiant. The prose is unapologetically melodramatic, painting vivid pictures of strange moons, secret guilds, and bizarre alien technologies with breathless enthusiasm. It is an experience steeped in nostalgia, offering a delightful escape for readers who love their science fiction blended with the romantic, action-heavy tropes of fantasy. This is a book that asks you to check your modern cynicism at the door and simply enjoy the ride.
- Mood
- exotic
- thrilling
- perilous
- nostalgic
- Tone
- earnest
- melodramatic
- heroic
- adventurous
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- martial honor · heroic duty · undercover infiltration · planetary exploration
- The writing
- Energetic and unapologetically melodramatic, featuring the vivid, breathless descriptions characteristic of classic pulp fiction.
- The arc
- A relentless plunge into escalating danger that culminates in a triumphant, hard-won victory.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave vintage, swashbuckling planetary romance filled with swordplay, strange moons, and unironic heroism.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- vintage cultural attitudes
- abduction tropes
About the book
"Swords of Mars" is the eighth book in the Edgar Rice Burroughs' Martian series. It was featured in six issues of the "Blue Book" magazine in 1934-1935. John Carter reprises his role of hero as he vows to bring an end to the Assassins Guild. He must travel to one of the moons of Barsoom, Carter then creates a race of secret super assassins to destroy this powerful Guild of Assassins. He ventures to the city of Zedong in a fierce attempt to overthrow Ur Jan the leader of the Assassins. There are many fantastic characters and galaxies in this compelling spy story in this edge of your seat science thriller.Please Note: This book is easy to read in true text, not scanned images that can sometimes be difficult to decipher. This eBook has bookmarks at chapter headings and is printable up to two full copies per year.
Description from Open Library.
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