Book

Under the Moons of Mars

📖 Overview

Under the Moons of Mars is an anthology of science fiction stories inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series. The collection features 15 original tales from contemporary authors who reimagine Mars and its inhabitants through new perspectives. The stories range from military science fiction to romance, with settings that span both Burroughs' classic Mars and versions of the red planet influenced by modern scientific knowledge. Contributors include notable authors like Peter S. Beagle, Garth Nix, and Joe R. Lansdale. The anthology blends pulp adventure traditions with updated sensibilities and fresh takes on established Barsoom elements like the thoats, Green Martians, and ancient civilizations. Each story maintains independence while fitting into the larger tapestry of Martian mythology. These tales explore timeless themes of heroism, cultural contact, and humanity's relationship with the unknown, while paying homage to one of science fiction's foundational works.

👀 Reviews

Readers appreciate this anthology's blend of classic pulp adventure with modern sci-fi sensibilities, and its diverse range of interpretations of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars. Several reviews note Joe R. Lansdale's "The Metal Men of Mars" as a standout story. Likes: - Fresh takes on familiar Barsoom characters - Strong action sequences - Interior artwork complements the stories - Mix of established and newer authors Dislikes: - Uneven quality between stories - Some entries feel too far removed from source material - Several readers found pacing issues in longer stories - Critics note many stories lack the romance of original Burroughs works Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (212 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (28 reviews) "A fun tribute that sometimes misses the mark," writes one Amazon reviewer. "The best stories capture Burroughs' sense of wonder while adding contemporary depth," notes a Goodreads user.

📚 Similar books

The Martian by Andy Weir The story blends technical survival challenges with Mars exploration through the lens of a stranded astronaut.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown A colonized Mars becomes the backdrop for a saga of rebellion and social transformation across planetary societies.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers This space journey narrative follows a crew through episodic adventures while exploring interstellar cultures and relationships.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi The narrative combines military science fiction with space colonization as humans fight alien species for habitable worlds.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey The first book in The Expanse series depicts a colonized solar system through the lens of interplanetary politics and conflict.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 This anthology features 13 original short stories inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series, bringing fresh perspectives to the world of John Carter of Mars 🪐 Editor John Joseph Adams has been called "the reigning king of the anthology world" by Barnes & Noble and has edited more than 30 science fiction and fantasy anthologies 🗡️ The book includes contributions from notable authors like Peter S. Beagle, who wrote "The Last Unicorn," and Garth Nix, author of the Old Kingdom series 🚀 The anthology was published in 2012 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of "A Princess of Mars," the first Barsoom novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs 🎨 The collection features interior illustrations by Charles Vess, a World Fantasy Award-winning artist known for his work in comics and fantasy illustration