Discover the novel that launched planetary romance, ‘A Princess of Mars’ by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and read the complete book online for free.
First published in 1912 under the title Under the Moons of Mars, Edgar Rice Burroughs’s A Princess of Mars is the founding text of the “sword and planet” genre. This wildly imaginative pulp adventure introduced the world to John Carter, a Confederate veteran mysteriously transported to the dying planet Barsoom (Mars). There, in a world of savage beauty, low gravity, and ancient, warring civilizations, Carter becomes a peerless warrior due to his Earth-born strength. His destiny becomes intertwined with that of the incomparable Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, whose rescue from the savage green Martian tribe of Tharks launches a saga of love, honor, and epic warfare.
Burroughs’s Mars is a brilliantly realized, if scientifically fanciful, world. It is populated by four-armed, fifteen-foot-tall Green Martians; by noble Red Martians like Dejah Thoris; by mysterious Therns; and by all manner of fantastic beasts like the six-legged Thoat and the ferocious White Apes. The story moves at a breakneck pace, filled with duels, daring escapes, aerial battles in flying ships, and grand political intrigue. At its heart is the chivalrous romance between the earthy, heroic Carter and the regal, fiercely loyal Dejah Thoris—a dynamic that would influence countless science fiction and fantasy stories to come.
A Princess of Mars is pure, exhilarating escapism. It captures the sense of wonder and boundless possibility that defined early 20th-century science fiction. While its prose is straightforward and its politics are of its time, its power to inspire adventure and ignite the imagination is undiminished. It is the book that taught generations of readers and writers that another world, full of danger and romance, was just a mysterious teleportation away.
On this page, you can journey to the red planet of romance and adventure. We offer the complete 1917 book edition for online reading.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | A Princess of Mars |
| Author | Edgar Rice Burroughs |
| Year of Publication | 1912 (magazine), 1917 (book) |
| Genre | Science Fiction, Planetary Romance, Adventure |
| Language | English (Original) |
| Legal Status | Public Domain |
| Format | Online Reading |
Read A Princess of Mars Online
Be transported to the dying world of Barsoom. Begin John Carter’s legendary adventure by exploring the first chapters interactively below.
This preview introduces Carter’s mysterious arrival on Mars, but the full epic—with its savage Green Martians, royal intrigue, and sweeping romance—is available in the complete novel for our subscribers.
A subscription unlocks this foundational sci-fi classic and our entire library of pulp adventure and planetary romance. Answer the call to adventure on a world of your own.
About A Princess of Mars
The novel’s enduring appeal lies in its potent combination of a supremely capable hero, a vivid alien world, and a timeless damsel-in-distress plot elevated by the heroine’s own strength and dignity.
John Carter: The Archetypal Adventurer
Carter is the ultimate wish-fulfillment hero: a gentleman, a superb warrior, honorable, and instinctively noble. His Earth-given strength and jumping ability make him a superman on Mars, but Burroughs grounds him with a clear moral code and a deep capacity for loyalty and love. He is a man out of time, applying a Civil War cavalryman’s ethos to an alien world.
Dejah Thoris: The Princess Who Defines a Genre
More than just a prize, Dejah Thoris is a key player in Barsoomian politics, a scientist, and a figure of immense pride and courage. Her famous description—“Why, she was a goddess, that was all. A slim, girlish goddess”—cemented an archetype. Her willingness to fight for her people and her love for Carter, despite their differences, gives the romance its spine.
Worldbuilding: The Dying World of Barsoom
Burroughs’s Mars is a masterpiece of imaginative consistency. It has:
- An Ancient, Decaying Ecology: With dying seas, ancient canals, and a manufactured atmosphere.
- Complex Societies: The nomadic, tribal Green Martians (Tharks) and the civilized, city-dwelling Red Martians (of Helium).
- Unique Technology: Radium rifles, flying ships, and atmosphere plants.
This detailed setting provided a template for all subsequent constructed worlds in genre fiction.
Themes of Honor and Civilization
Beyond the swashbuckling, the novel explores themes of honor, loyalty, and what it means to be “civilized.” Carter brings a code of chivalry to the brutal Tharks, eventually earning their respect and transforming their society. The conflict between the savage but honorable Green Martians and the refined but sometimes decadent Red Martians is a central dynamic.
Why Read A Princess of Mars Today?
It is the pure, undiluted source of so much we love in modern fantasy and sci-fi: the heroic outsider, the detailed alien culture, the epic romance across stars. Reading it is like visiting the bedrock of the genre. Its pace and sense of wonder are infectious.
It is also a fascinating historical document of pre-space age speculation and early 20th-century pulp storytelling. To read A Princess of Mars is to recapture the thrill of a time when Mars was still a mystery, and stories could fill it with princesses, swords, and immortal heroes.
FAQ
Can I read A Princess of Mars for free?
Yes, you can read the opening chapters for free via our interactive preview. Access to the complete novel requires a subscription.
Is this the first Barsoom book?
Yes, it is the first in a series of eleven novels. It establishes the world, the main characters, and the ongoing conflicts that drive the sequels.
How scientifically accurate is it?
Not at all, even by 1912 standards. Burroughs prioritized romance and adventure over realism. The Mars of canals and a breathable atmosphere is a fantasy, which is part of its charm.
What is the connection to Tarzan?
Both were created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and share a similar structure: a heroic outsider mastering a savage world and winning the love of a noble mate. They are two sides of the same adventure coin—one jungle, one planetary.
Can I read it on my phone?
Absolutely. Its fast-paced, chapter-driven narrative is perfect for reading on the go.