Thuvia, Maid of Mars

By: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Narrated by: Harry Shaw

Thuvia, Princess of Ptarth, is betrothed to Kulan Tith, Jeddak of Kaol, in an arranged marriage. She spurns the advances of a suitor, Astok of Dusar, who then plots to abduct Thuvia and frame Carthoris, son of John Carter, for the crime, igniting a war between Kaol, Ptarth, and Helium.

This is book four of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series.

Public Domain (P)2022 Mark Nelson

Number Four in Burroughs’ Mars Series

Following the more well-known Barsoom “trilogy” (as it is sometimes called), this novel concerns the adventures of Carthoris, son of John Carter and Dejah Thoris, and Thuvia, Princess of Ptarth (whom we met in book two, “The Gods of Mars”).

I sampled each of several versions of this book on Audible, and found I liked Mr. Shaw’s performance/narration of the story best of the bunch.

The story is not up to the standards of the other Mars books, particularly the first three, but still very enjoyable. It comes to an end rather abruptly, as if the author felt he had to tie up loose ends quickly (or lost patience), and I can’t help wishing that he had added several chapters to relate the protagonists’ return to their respective kingdoms and resolution of the conflict between the various nations involved. But it is still a fine adventure in the mold of Edgar Rice Burroughs!