The Chessmen of Mars (version 2)


Read by Thomas A. Copeland

(4.7 stars; 162 reviews)

Tara of Helium, John Carter's second child, is nearly as beautiful as her mother, Deja Thoris, and as independent-minded as her father. These qualities cause her much grief during a long series of imprisonments by hostile aliens. She is aided by a rejected suitor whom she fails to recognize but gradually learns first to trust and then to love, despite what she imagines to be a hopeless chasm between their social classes. A highly evolved race of intelligent beings is discovered in this novel, one of whom forms with Tara a complicated relationship that opens his eyes to the value of certain aspects of life which he and his kind have shed. We also learn of an ancient Martian culture differing markedly from the technologically advanced civilizations of other city-states; one of its pastimes is a bloody variation of Martian chess, played with human beings as the game pieces. For variety of character and incident, this novel is unsurpassed by its four predecessors in the series. (Summary by Thomas Copeland) (9 hr 5 min)

Chapters

Prelude - John Carter Comes to Earth 6:08 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Tara in a Tantrum 24:14 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
At the Gale's Mercy 24:05 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
The Headless Humans 28:33 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Captured 27:21 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
The Perfect Brain 21:35 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
In the Toils of Horror 28:06 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
A Repellent Sight 25:44 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Close Work 21:19 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Adrift Over Strange Regions 24:08 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Entrapped 22:11 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
The Choice of Tara 24:44 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Ghek Plays Pranks 21:10 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
A Desperate Deed 23:40 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
At Ghek's Command 25:09 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
The Old Man of the Pits 23:54 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
Another Change of Name 23:40 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
A Play to the Death 22:55 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
A Task for Loyalty 26:53 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
The Menace of the Dead 20:29 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
The Charge of Cowardice 24:45 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
A Risk for Love 21:36 Read by Thomas A. Copeland
At the Moment of Marriage 32:48 Read by Thomas A. Copeland

Reviews

Checkmate & Game


(5 stars)

Another overall splendid narration by Mr Copeland. With each successive volume in these Barsoom tales his reading has become more & more expressive as regards the voices of individual characters within the narrative. Clearly he is having more fun with some of the intriguing ones here which lends to the verisimilitude of the listening experience & negates the occasional singular peculiarity of pronunciation that can break the spell he weaves (as has been the case in previous volumes) so adroitly.

Copeland at his finest


(5 stars)

A fantastic installment in the Barsoom series, probably my favorite (certainly 2nd if not) but the real star here is Copeland. His acting here is the best as he really throws himself into the book. Don't miss this one!

my favorite so far


(5 stars)

My favorite of the Barsoom series so far! What an excellent book this was, and like others have said Thomas Copeland was fantastic! Made it so fun to listen to. The characters really come alive with him.

Glorious


(5 stars)

I absolutely loved this title, and Thomas Copeland did an amazing job of reading. I will listen/read many more of the John Carter series of books now, as this was my first.


(5 stars)

Mr.Copeland is a masterful storyteller. can't wait to hear more from him. Having listened to over 100 audio books, I would place Mr.Copeland among the best I've heard.

westred


(5 stars)

Simply awesome. A great romantic adventure on Mars told by an A+++ narrator! I love all of ERB's classics, but this one is his best!

chessmen check mate


(4 stars)

An interesting addition to the series & brilliantly read- by far my favourite narrator of this series; thank you Thomas Copeland

check mate


(5 stars)

another fantastic story by the master and narrated by a master a joy to listen to