The Gods of Mars

The Gods of Mars is a science fiction novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first published in 1913. It is the second book in the “Barsoom” (Mars) series, continuing the adventures of John Carter on the planet Mars. The story begins after John Carter returns to Mars following a long absence on Earth. He arrives in a region called the Valley Dor, which is ruled by a mysterious priesthood known as the “Holy Therns.” These priests present themselves as divine beings, controlling Martian society through religion and deception. Carter soon discovers that the Therns are not gods at all, but part of a larger system of manipulation that maintains power over different Martian cultures. As he travels across Mars, he encounters various factions, including the cruel “First Born,” another dominant group with their own harsh rule and belief systems. A major part of the novel focuses on Carter’s attempts to rescue his wife Dejah Thoris and uncover the truth behind the religious hierarchies that dominate Mars. The journey becomes both a physical adventure and a critique of false authority and blind faith.