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I read this because it was selected as the May book for the Sword and Laser book club and I hardly ever get a chance to read along! I had not heard of this author or this book in either form (it is also known as The Sea-Kings of Mars.)
It is important to look at the era a book was written. This is from 1953, pre-moon landing, pre-scientific Mars information. It isn't surprising, then that the main character (Carse) and all the other humans on Mars don't mention struggling to breath or survive. Yo ...more
It is important to look at the era a book was written. This is from 1953, pre-moon landing, pre-scientific Mars information. It isn't surprising, then that the main character (Carse) and all the other humans on Mars don't mention struggling to breath or survive. Yo ...more
Fun, brisk, pulpy adventure stymied by clunky writing (repetitive exposition!! exaggeration!! over-use of "infinite" (a thief at one point picks a lock "with infinite skill")!!) and a predictable climax. Offhandedly mixes science fiction (time travel, deadly technology left by a ancient, vanished race) with fantasy (flashing swordplay, mind-reading mystics, feudal kingdoms, princess-warriors).
Amidst otherwise one-note characters, I liked that our thieving archaeologist protagonist was somewhat ...more
Amidst otherwise one-note characters, I liked that our thieving archaeologist protagonist was somewhat ...more
Originally published as one half of a 35 cent Ace Double, I read it in a fancy bound hardcover suitable for long-term library preservation. Despite the binding, it was so pulpy I could practically feel the newsprint coming off in my hands. Much pulp fiction was full of terrible writing and blatant sexism so it's easy to forget why it held such a grip on the cultural imagination for many decades after the pulps disappeared. This is why. Part Indiana Jones, part Flash Gordon, I was riveted. Those
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A very quick read/listen. Entertaining. Very similar to other "earthman/earthwomen transported to another place/time on Mars" books.
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Apr 16, 2013
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Feb 13, 2015
Ian
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2015
Kerry
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2015
Otis Chandler
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2015
Colin
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2015
Jef
added it
May 06, 2015
Jay Crossler
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2015
Leesa
marked it as didn-t-finish-but-may-try-again
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review of another edition
Shelves:
e-book,
bookclub-pick
Dec 09, 2015
Sarah
marked it as to-read
Jan 04, 2016
Thomas
marked it as to-read
Feb 24, 2016
Lara
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2023
Bruno
marked it as wishlist
