The Gods of Mars

The Martian Series, Book 2

By: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the extraordinary story of John Carter, who returns to the Red Planet in search of his beloved, Dejah Thoris. John lands in the Valley Dor, which is populated by vicious plant men, and discovers the Lost Sea of Korus, guarded by the great white apes and horrifying lions of Barsoom. It is here that he finds the princess Thuvia, who is a captive of the Holy Therns, high priests who eat only human flesh slain by their plant men. But this is only the beginning of John Carter’s adventures under the double moons of Mars before he fights his way back to his own people as the Prince of the House of Tardos Mors.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“When it rains in a Burroughs novel, the reader gets wet.” (Jack McDevitt, Nebula and Philip K. Dick Award-winning author)

Engrossing!

This book was very exciting! Never a dull moment and plenty of battles. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the narrator. His voice was somewhat droning and irritating. His voice did not vary from a monotone.

An interesting read, if only from a historical viewpoint

You can tell right away that society, and especially the author, looked at things differently. Also, he seems to have a type when it comes to a hero. Tarzan being his other run away favorite.

Great book

Love the reader the story kept me in suspense and excited. I love the way Edgar Rice Burroughs writes.

The first was so much better

I'll finish the trilogy listening to free books, but this story was so predictable compared to the first. This narrator performed songs of the voices splendidly, but for the most part his over the top Virginia drawl for John Carter (and strangely many of the other characters) was a distraction. Back to the writing, I cringed each time one of the races (which, granted, was written with "black" in their name) was referred to only as "the blacks."

Another excellent installment of a classic series.

Would you listen to The Gods of Mars again? Why?

It forms the basis of the saga. This episode introduces so many new characters and races that it is essential to the entire story on whole.

What other book might you compare The Gods of Mars to and why?

I can't compare this one to any others that I've listened to recently.

Which character – as performed by William Dufris – was your favorite?

John Carter

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

More John Carter fun

This volume continues the John Carter saga in much the same overdramatic but enjoyable vein. Burroughs' imagination continues to impress, though the book presses its messages a little too obviously. The reading is excellent, the dramatic voicing matching the purple prose.

Great story!

It was my first time listening to an audio book. I picked this book because I saw the John Carter movie and was curious to find out what happens next. Listening to this story was a delightful experience. The narrator changed his voice for different characters and kept me engaged. The story itself was very entertaining and action packed. Loved it. Now I'm going to get the 3rd audio book in the series, Warlord of Mars.

Not as much fun as John Carter

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was ok. It felt very dated.

Would you be willing to try another book from Edgar Rice Burroughs? Why or why not?

I'm not in a rush. He didn't do much with the character of John Carter in this book.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I didn't particularly like his voice.

Did The Gods of Mars inspire you to do anything?

no.

Any additional comments?

I loved the movie and the movie novelization was good. But the style of these books is very out of date and it makes the characters feel a bit wooden.

Great book, terrible performance

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No. The voiceover actor was terrible. He made the main character sound dumb. It really took away from the barsoom series. I stopped listening and returned back to reading the book because of this. This was my first and last experience with and audible book. I can't believe the low quality of this product.

Would you be willing to try another one of William Dufris’s performances?

No.

A worthy book and performance

This is a worthy book and performance. The reader’s performance is as good as Andy Serkis’s reads of the Tolkien novels.