A Princess of Mars audiobook cover – Science Fiction by Edgar Rice Burroughs – Dream Audiobooks

A Princess of Mars – 7 Powerful Reasons to Listen to This Epic Audiobook

5 minutes read

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs is one of the great foundations of modern science-fiction and planetary romance. This A Princess of Mars audiobook lets you experience the sweeping deserts of Mars, the clash of alien civilizations, and the honor-bound courage of John Carter through immersive narration. Whether you love epic fantasy, pulpy adventure, or classic sci-fi history, listening to this story is the perfect way to discover why Barsoom has inspired artists, filmmakers, and writers for more than a century.

🎧 Listen to A Princess of Mars – Full Audiobook

Enjoy Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic science-fiction adventure with John Carter on Mars in high-quality audio on your favorite platform:

Bookmark this page so you can return to the A Princess of Mars audiobook whenever you want to revisit Barsoom’s deserts, duels, and romance.

What is A Princess of Mars about?

Originally published in 1912, A Princess of Mars introduces John Carter, a Confederate veteran mysteriously transported from an Arizona cave to the planet Mars, known by its inhabitants as Barsoom. On this dying world of thin air and scarlet deserts, Carter discovers towering four-armed warriors, sleek airships, and fiercely divided tribes locked in endless war. Gifted with incredible strength and agility under the lesser Martian gravity, he quickly becomes a formidable fighter and a key player in Barsoom’s conflicts.

At the heart of the story is Carter’s devotion to Dejah Thoris, the intelligent and courageous princess of Helium. Their relationship adds a powerful romantic thread to the novel’s action-driven plot. Political intrigue, gladiatorial combat, daring escapes, and sweeping battles carry the listener from one cliffhanger to the next. As you follow the A Princess of Mars audiobook, you are not just hearing an old pulp story—you are stepping into the original blueprint for countless modern space operas and heroic fantasy sagas.

Key themes and story highlights

Honor, courage, and personal code

John Carter is driven not by ideology or politics but by a strict personal sense of honor. He keeps his word even when it endangers his life, respects enemies who show courage, and defends the weak against cruelty. This makes him a timeless heroic figure and explains why A Princess of Mars still resonates with listeners today. The audiobook format emphasizes his inner monologue and decisions, letting you feel each risk and sacrifice.

Romance on a dying world

The relationship between John Carter and Dejah Thoris is central to the story. Their bond grows through loyalty, mutual respect, and shared danger rather than simple infatuation. Burroughs weaves romance into a tale of war and politics, creating a blend of science-fiction, adventure, and love story. In audio form, the tension of their separation, misunderstandings, and reunion becomes even more emotional.

Inventive worldbuilding and alien cultures

Barsoom is a harsh, desolate planet, yet full of life: the warlike Green Martians, the more refined Red Martians, strange beasts, airships, and ancient canal cities. While modern science has moved beyond Burroughs’ Mars, his imaginative worldbuilding inspired generations of writers and artists. Listening to this A Princess of Mars audiobook gives you a sense of how early 20th-century readers first discovered an alien world through pulp magazines—and why it still feels vivid and cinematic.

Action, duels, and large-scale battles

From arena fights to aerial skirmishes, the novel is packed with physical conflict. John Carter’s superior strength allows for spectacular combat scenes—leaping across battlefields, dueling multiple foes, and standing alone against impossible odds. The audiobook captures the rhythm of these sequences, making it perfect for listeners who enjoy high-energy storytelling during commutes, workouts, or late-night listening sessions.

About Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) is best known as the creator of Tarzan, but his Barsoom series, starting with A Princess of Mars, is equally important in the history of speculative fiction. Burroughs combined the pace of pulp adventure with visionary imagination and a gift for memorable characters. His work influenced everything from comic books and Saturday serials to modern film franchises and video games.

Listening to the A Princess of Mars audiobook is one of the best ways to understand Burroughs’ legacy. You can hear his style: direct, energetic prose, cliffhanger chapter endings, and vivid descriptions that were tailor-made for audio adaptation. If you enjoy this story, you can explore his later Barsoom novels or his other iconic series such as the Tarzan adventures.

Why listen to A Princess of Mars audiobook today

A perfect gateway into classic sci-fi

If you are curious about early science-fiction but worry that older books might feel slow or dense, A Princess of Mars is the ideal starting point. The plot is fast, the chapters are short, and the dramatic narration of this audiobook keeps the momentum high. You can experience a foundational classic without ever feeling bored.

Cinematic visuals in your imagination

Modern films and series owe a huge debt to Burroughs’ vision of Mars. Listening to the A Princess of Mars audiobook lets you build your own mental movie—epic skies, airship fleets, dueling warriors, and a proud Martian princess standing against impossible odds. The warm, golden deserts and ancient ruins of Barsoom come alive through sound alone.

Great for multitasking and re-listening

Because this audiobook is divided into clear episodes of danger, discovery, and romance, it works beautifully for listeners who want to enjoy classic literature while doing other things—walking, driving, working, or relaxing. It is also a story that rewards re-listening: once you know the outcome, you can appreciate the foreshadowing, character arcs, and dramatic structure even more.

If you enjoyed the A Princess of Mars audiobook, you can continue your journey through classic adventure and science-fiction with these free titles on Dream Audiobooks:

Exploring these audiobooks will deepen your appreciation for how A Princess of Mars fits into the wider universe of classic storytelling—heroic quests, strange worlds, and unforgettable characters.

Final thoughts on A Princess of Mars audiobook

More than a century after its first publication, A Princess of Mars still feels surprisingly fresh. Its blend of swashbuckling action, planetary adventure, romance, and imaginative worldbuilding laid the groundwork for much of modern sci-fi and fantasy. This A Princess of Mars audiobook is your chance to experience Barsoom the way it was meant to be enjoyed: as a fast-paced, larger-than-life tale told aloud.

Press play, travel to Mars, and follow John Carter as he fights for honor, love, and the future of a dying world. If you’re looking for a classic that still delivers excitement, emotion, and epic scale, this audiobook deserves a permanent place in your listening library.