The story in one page
John Carter returns to Mars, hoping to reunite with his wife, Dejah Thoris. Instead, he lands in the middle of a complex, subterranean conspiracy involving yellow-haired priests and secret sea-depths. He fights his way through a maze of guards, makes unlikely allies, and searches for his missing princess. When he finally locates her, he finds her locked in a chamber as fire consumes the temple. Before he can free her, a rival assassin strikes, leaving him outside a sealed wall. He must wait a full year for the door to reopen, unaware if his wife survived the encounter.
Who's who
- John Carter
A superhuman fighter struggling to navigate Martian political intrigue.
- Dejah Thoris
A princess missing and imprisoned in a dangerous secret temple.
- Xodar
A former enemy who becomes a loyal guide and ally.
- Thuvia
A prisoner turned informant who helps Carter infiltrate the therns.
- Phaidor
A vengeful antagonist obsessed with taking the princess's place.
What it's really about
- Disguise
- Wigs and identity markers serve as vital survival tools.
- Suspense
- A year-long wait defines the agonizing final uncertainty.
Why it's memorable
- Replacing a dead priest's scalp with a wig for a disguise.
- Watching a wall slowly seal shut while trapped outside.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
John Carter is dragged away from a sealed chamber by his friends, unaware if Thuvia or Dejah Thoris received the assassin's blow. He must wait a year to find out if his wife is still alive.
For your book club
- The practical difficulty of sneaking past sentries moving at a snail's pace.
- Whether the Martian baldness or the elaborate disguises are more absurd.