Gods of Mars: The Barsoom Chronicles #2: A Positronic Book - Paperback

by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Author), Darrell Schweitzer (Introduction by)

The second volume of the Barsoom series continues the interplanetary adventure of John Carter across the deserts, cities, and hidden structures of Mars. In The Gods of Mars, Carter returns to Barsoom to confront the religious systems and concealed hierarchies that govern the planet, uncovering the mechanisms behind belief, authority, and control.

Burroughs expands the scope of the series through encounters with new environments and societies, introducing complex terrains and layered cultures that deepen the structure of Barsoom. The narrative combines sustained action with exploration, maintaining a clear forward movement while gradually revealing the underlying organisation of the Martian world.

A central work within the Barsoom sequence, this volume develops both the continuity of character and the broader architecture of the setting. It remains a defining example of early planetary adventure fiction and continues to shape the conventions of science fiction and fantasy.