The Chessmen of Mars

The Chessmen of Mars, a captivating science fantasy novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, was first published in 1922 as the fifth installment in his popular Barsoom series. The story follows Tara, the spirited princess of Helium and daughter of the legendary John Carter. When her flier is forced down during a violent Martian storm, Tara finds herself stranded and subsequently captured by the grotesque Kaldanes—a race of sentient, disembodied heads with crab-like legs that control headless human bodies. Meanwhile, Prince Gahan of Gathol, a suitor for Tara's hand, embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her, disguising himself as a humble mercenary to navigate the treacherous Martian landscape. Their paths eventually converge in the deadly city of Manator, a place where captives are forced to participate in a brutal, life-or-death game of Jetan, or Martian chess, serving as living pieces on a colossal board. This thrilling adventure explores themes of courage, identity, and survival against the backdrop of a vividly imagined alien world.

Reading ease score: 77.6 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.