pjonsson's review
3.0
Generally interesting book which, unfortunately, is a bit of a mixed joy. Female heroine are mystically whisked away to another planet where the low gravity makes her jump like a grasshopper and be stronger than everyone else. Hmmm, where have I read that before? If you would say that this is a rip-off of Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter it would be difficult to argue against you. In many ways it is. However, it is also sufficiently different to not really give the feeling that you are reading a simple rip-off.
Although the situation is similar Jane Carver is very far from Burroughs ‘ gentleman from Virginia. Even though her conscience usually guides her in the right direction she is not exactly the girl you would want you son to bring home one day. Nor is the inhabitants of Waar the warriors that you find in the John Carter stories and who puts honor first. Some of them are actually rather depraved individuals.
This “biker chick” twist sometimes works very well in the book and those passages where very enjoyable to read. Other times, they do not work so well. Often Jane Carver just freezes or goofs up in a critical moment. That’s fine once in a while but not all the time. In this book it is really used as an excuse to continue the story too many times. The author also seems to be somewhat (over)focused on sex. I have nothing against sex in books or movies but everything has its place and its just a bit overdone here.
The comparison with the John Carter books are of course inevitable and, although I did find this book enjoyable, I do like the honorable gentleman from Virginia better. He was more intelligent, the people surrounding him was, mostly, much more intelligent as well as trustworthy (even his enemies) which I just like better. Of course, this book have the advantage of having a more modern view of science so there is no seventh ray, radium lamps or other gadgets that do not translate so well into this age.
Having said the above, this is an interesting twist of the same basic idea. There is a second book out now and I think it merits a read to see whether the series improve or not. If nothing else so to see where the author goes with the loose ends that he left in the first book and which, if handled properly, could lead to an interesting story.
Although the situation is similar Jane Carver is very far from Burroughs ‘ gentleman from Virginia. Even though her conscience usually guides her in the right direction she is not exactly the girl you would want you son to bring home one day. Nor is the inhabitants of Waar the warriors that you find in the John Carter stories and who puts honor first. Some of them are actually rather depraved individuals.
This “biker chick” twist sometimes works very well in the book and those passages where very enjoyable to read. Other times, they do not work so well. Often Jane Carver just freezes or goofs up in a critical moment. That’s fine once in a while but not all the time. In this book it is really used as an excuse to continue the story too many times. The author also seems to be somewhat (over)focused on sex. I have nothing against sex in books or movies but everything has its place and its just a bit overdone here.
The comparison with the John Carter books are of course inevitable and, although I did find this book enjoyable, I do like the honorable gentleman from Virginia better. He was more intelligent, the people surrounding him was, mostly, much more intelligent as well as trustworthy (even his enemies) which I just like better. Of course, this book have the advantage of having a more modern view of science so there is no seventh ray, radium lamps or other gadgets that do not translate so well into this age.
Having said the above, this is an interesting twist of the same basic idea. There is a second book out now and I think it merits a read to see whether the series improve or not. If nothing else so to see where the author goes with the loose ends that he left in the first book and which, if handled properly, could lead to an interesting story.
tarana's review against another edition
5.0
This is actually more adventure than fantasy, but I loved the audiobook! Not appropriate for a high schooler (some brief sex scenes), but otherwise, swashbuckling with plenty of snark and one liners.
jessbuzzard's review against another edition
2.0
2.5; Don't have expectations for this to be some "life-changing" read. It gave a few chuckles and was amusing/entertaining for what it was. It was a pretty garbage novel about a ridiculous space war (on planet Waar) with a bunch of sex-addict aliens who apparently only own loin cloths. The main character is a muscly biker-chic from Earth....I mean...2.5 is generous lol. It was a comical break from the serious vibes I've been reading lately
synobal's review against another edition
5.0
Not a sophisticated book by any means, but neither was the John Carter of Mar's novels. Jane of Waar captures the feel of the older space fantasy novels and up dates it just that little bit for the 21st century. If you liked the John Carter books, or felt perhaps they were just that little bit too dated for you to really enjoy, then Jane of Waar is a novel you should take a look at.
5/5 stars, what this novel sets out to do it does well. It isn't a literary master peices or some genre changing work of fiction but it brings the old Space Fantasy novels of the likes of John Carter of Mars to the 21st century.
5/5 stars, what this novel sets out to do it does well. It isn't a literary master peices or some genre changing work of fiction but it brings the old Space Fantasy novels of the likes of John Carter of Mars to the 21st century.
robnobody's review against another edition
A gender-swapped pastiche of Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars novels, with a badass biker chick the one mysteriously transported to a distant planet where she has superhuman strength, learns sword-fighting, and saves dudes in distress. I'd previously read the book, and its sequel, but Dina Pearlman's narration is a lot of fun. Overall, silly and very enjoyable.
jamiebarrows's review against another edition
2.0
Basically a retelling of the Burroughs barsoom tale with a female lead. Not a total waste of time, but not all that great either.
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