This is a Barnes and Noble publication and includes the stories, "Thuvia Maid of Mars" and "The Chessmen of Mars."

The first novel is about Thuvia, the love of Carthoris, son of John Carter and Dejah Thoris. It's a rollicking, pulpy adventure, much like the first three books of the series. We learn more about Thuvia, whom we've met in previous tales. It's the same ol' formula, dastardly deeds befall lovely girl who must be saved by handsome boy/man capable of slaying every creature of Barsoom. We also meet more and interesting "lost tribes" of Barsoom. I wonder how many more we there are?

Obviously there are at least two more, because we meet them in the Chessmen. This is a longer tale that follows John Carter's daughter Tara (princess of Helium. How ERB could deprive this lovely lass her own self-titled novel is beyond me.) Tara is petulant and willful, and is blown halfway across Mars where she encounters not one but two lost tribes of nasties. The Kaldanes are the most interesting ERB creation--creatures of great intellect who can remove their heads and place them on handy, well-formed bodies. The Manators are typical pulpy barbarians who play Martian chess to the death using real people people for game pieces.

Tara gets into plenty of trouble, but is pretty clever and tough on her own (what progeny of John Carter is not?) However, she also receives the aid of Galan of Gathol, pledged to love the princess, and pledged to win her love in return.

A quick read, and all in good fun. ( )