Look, if you’ve never read a Barsoom book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, you’re missing some classic derring-do. The Chessmen of Mars is the fifth one, but you can jump in here—it centers on a brand new character, Tara, who makes a great entry point. Let's dive in like an old-timey Matian sand beast.

The Story

Tara is the daughter of John Carter of Mars (you might know him from the Disney movie that kinda flopped). She steals a trip in this abandoned airship, gets stuck between typhoons, and crash-lands in a mysterious dead city. And guess what? It's the home of the creepiest guys on the planet: the Goblins. They all look like robots until you see them inside operating these levers? Weird. They just love playing a big monster chess, and Gahan (a handsome prince in hiding) is also trapped. Tari has to beat this death-match puzzle without dying, all while being a total badass princess. You’ve also got a telepathic baby, a climactic escape from an evil warlord, and a wonderful romance with heart. Have a breath, Mr. Burroughs took at vacation.

Why You Should Read It

The main character, Tara, absolutely rules. Unlike many male leads from the 1920s, she makes as many decisions as the toughest boys. And the big hideaway—the Manator chess game—is unforgettable. Think rat king strategy, deadly double-crosses, and blades on the board. Burroughs can drag at 1920s bullet-time sometimes? Sure. But there are throwaway lines about class and race that signal the book’s era too, so give a gentle eye while you read (I might see cringe). The underlying strength of the novel is Burroughs' vivid ‘what if’ flair. Plus, you get pure fantastic wish-fulfillment alongside puddle-deep villainy we have come to love. It’s pure joy.

Final Verdict

Who is hook into the Martian series? Go back two or three earlier books first? No—just start! This book is for anyone who loves pulpy adventures, old sci-fi with strange settings, big romps for small budget brains. It reads like a Saturday serial, crackling and wild with hooks. It’s fairly dated but charmingly so—work just skip some descriptions. In a phrase: huge, big-hearted silly fun. Dig in for literal alien game night.