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  • Title: Thuvia, Maid of Mars
  • Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
  • Narrator: Scott Merrill
  • Length: 05:22:00
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 01/01/2011
  • Publisher: LibriVox
  • Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
  • ISBN13: SABFAB9780331
Hey there, fellow wanderers and story seekers, it’s Marcus Rivera, back with another journey – this time through the red deserts of Barsoom via an audiobook that’s captured my heart and imagination. Let’s dive into the Martian chronicles together!

I’ve always believed that stories are the ultimate form of travel, whisking us away to places beyond the reach of any map or plane ticket. So, when I stumbled upon the ‘Thuvia, Maid of Mars’ audiobook by Edgar Rice Burroughs, narrated by Scott Merrill, I was ready for an adventure across the dying planet of Barsoom. Available as a free audiobook through LibriVox, this gem of science fiction and fantasy offers a listening experience that’s as thrilling as any desert caravan I’ve joined in my real-world travels. The story unfolds like a dusty trail through an alien landscape, full of unexpected turns, romance, and the kind of daring that reminds me why I fell in love with pulp adventures in the first place.

This audiobook experience hit me on a personal level, stirring memories of a long drive through the Atacama Desert in Chile, where the surreal, otherworldly terrain seemed to mirror the magical realism of stories I’ve listened to on the road. I remember the way the narrator of another audiobook brought García Márquez’s words to life, making me feel as if I were sitting by a campfire under a sky full of stars. Listening to ‘Thuvia, Maid of Mars’ brought back that same sense of wonder, as if I were hearing tales spun by a wise elder in a far-off land. There’s something about the intimacy of an audiobook that mirrors those evenings I spent in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother weave stories with perfect timing and silences that spoke as loudly as her words. Scott Merrill’s narration captures some of that magic, pulling me into the world of Barsoom with a voice that feels like a guide through uncharted territory.

For those unfamiliar, ‘Thuvia, Maid of Mars’ is the fourth installment in Burroughs’s iconic Barsoom series, shifting the spotlight from John Carter and Dejah Thoris to their son, Carthoris, Prince of Helium, and Thuvia, Princess of Ptarth. The plot is a classic planetary romance, steeped in science fiction adventure, where political intrigue, abduction, and a quest across a dying Mars drive the narrative. You can almost feel the dry, crimson sands underfoot as Carthoris battles to rescue Thuvia, navigating new regions of Barsoom and encountering bizarre races like the Kaldanes – disembodied heads with spider-like legs controlling headless humanoids called Rykors. Burroughs’s imagination shines here, expanding the rich tapestry of this alien world with psychic powers like ‘thaut pah,’ a telepathic ability that adds a fresh layer to the lore. It’s a coming-of-age tale, too, as both protagonists prove their mettle amidst romance and duty, their struggles painting a vivid picture of a civilization on the brink.

What struck me most was how the audiobook experience amplified the story’s exoticism. The landscapes of Barsoom – its decaying cities, vast deserts, and hidden marshes – come alive through Merrill’s narration. You can almost taste the dust in the air and hear the clash of swords as Carthoris faces off against strange foes. The themes of political tension between city-states like Helium and Ptarth reminded me of the intricate tribal alliances I’ve encountered in remote regions during my travels, where honor and loyalty can mean the difference between peace and war. Burroughs weaves these dynamics with a fast-paced, action-packed style that’s quintessential pulp sci-fi, and listening to it felt like uncovering a hidden history of a world both alien and hauntingly familiar.

Now, let’s talk about Scott Merrill’s performance in this free audiobook, because a narrator can make or break a listening experience. Merrill brings a steady, engaging tone to the tale, with a gravitas that suits the epic stakes of Barsoomian conflicts. His pacing mirrors the story’s urgency, especially during battle scenes or moments of high tension, where his voice carries the weight of danger. He does a commendable job distinguishing characters through subtle shifts in tone, though I’ll admit I occasionally wished for more distinct vocal personalities, especially for a character as unique as Thuvia, whose psychic abilities and royal bearing could have been emphasized with a touch more mystique. The audio quality, given that this is a LibriVox production, is clear and functional, though it lacks the polished sheen of commercial recordings. Still, for a free sci-fi audiobook, it’s a fantastic way to dive into classic planetary romance without spending a dime.

That said, ‘Thuvia, Maid of Mars’ isn’t without its limitations. While I reveled in the adventure and worldbuilding, I found Carthoris and Thuvia slightly less compelling than the iconic John Carter and Dejah Thoris of the earlier books. Their struggles are engaging, but they don’t always carry the same larger-than-life charisma. The introduction of psychic powers, while intriguing, felt a bit jarring at times, as if it strayed from the grounded, physical challenges that defined earlier Barsoom tales. Yet, these are minor quibbles in a story that still delivers on the swashbuckling spirit of science fiction and fantasy.

Comparing this to other works in the genre, ‘Thuvia, Maid of Mars’ sits comfortably alongside later planetary romances by authors like Leigh Brackett or Otis Adelbert Kline, sharing that same thrill of humans navigating alien worlds. Within the Barsoom series, it’s a transitional piece – less groundbreaking than ‘A Princess of Mars’ but vital in expanding the mythology with new characters and concepts. It reminds me of the way H. Rider Haggard’s lost-world adventures build on exotic settings and heroic quests, though Burroughs’s Martian backdrop adds a unique sci-fi twist.

I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone craving a classic science fiction adventure, especially fans of space opera or pulp fiction looking for a free listening experience. It’s perfect for long drives or quiet evenings when you want to escape to a world of daring heroes and strange creatures. If you’re new to Barsoom, you might want to start with the earlier books for context, but ‘Thuvia’ stands well enough on its own as a tale of love and bravery on a dying planet.

Reflecting on this journey through Barsoom, I’m reminded of why I’m drawn to stories of far-off places, whether they’re on Earth or Mars. They challenge us to see beyond our horizons, to imagine what’s possible in the face of the unknown. Listening to this audiobook felt like a personal expedition, one that rekindled my love for the untamed spirit of adventure – something I’ve chased from the markets of Marrakech to the peaks of the Andes. ‘Thuvia, Maid of Mars’ may be a product of early 20th-century pulp, but its heart beats with a timeless call to explore, to connect, and to fight for what matters most.

Until our paths cross again on another story trail, this is Marcus Rivera signing off. Keep wandering, keep listening, and let the red sands of Barsoom inspire your next great adventure. Catch you on the road – or maybe on Mars!