Burroughs is the next step after Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. Look for some parallel names that have been adapted in Star Wars. Warriors are called jed; their leader jeddak (jeddi). The great beast of Barsoom is the banth (bantha) the great Barsoomian lion. You will also encounter the Sith, a huge creature part wasp, part scorpion. The hero, John Carter, dies at the onset of the first book to be mysteriously reincarnated on Mars (called Barsoom by the Martians) alternating for ten-year periods. Look for vivid descriptions of wield aliens and creatures of Mars as well a sketchy technological advancement. On land they move around on beasts (called thoats) but also have large number of airframesreferred to as ships and thus have navies, not air forces (again Star Wars)ranging from battle ships to one-person fliers (These seem to be merely open-air platforms: no cabin whatsoever). In spite of this, most fightingand there is a wealth of itis done with long-swords (the early Star Wars light sabers). The butchery seems to have no end; it is the major vocation and pastime.
John Carter is back on Earth to retell another of his adventures. He begins by attempting to infiltrate the assassins guild. Lots of undercover work but little sword-fighting. And, can you believe it, his squeeze, Dejah Thoris, is kidnapped again: this time to Thuria, Barsooms nearest moon, in an advanced spaceship. Find her he does, but not until the last page. This threw me off, as I expected rescue to be delayed until the next book.
John Carter is back on Earth to retell another of his adventures. He begins by attempting to infiltrate the assassins guild. Lots of undercover work but little sword-fighting. And, can you believe it, his squeeze, Dejah Thoris, is kidnapped again: this time to Thuria, Barsooms nearest moon, in an advanced spaceship. Find her he does, but not until the last page. This threw me off, as I expected rescue to be delayed until the next book.
