Fourteen years of peace is enough tp drive any two dedicated warriors to distraction. But, when those warriors are the Prince and Princess of Helium it is a fundamental waste of resources. Their first son, Carthan, is approaching seventeen years old and is already a fine swordsman and ready to join the exalted ranks of the Warriors of Helium. What they do not know, what no one in Helium knows, is that an enemy from their past has arisen again, better equipped and funded than ever before and he has a diabolical scheme to attack Helium from no only the outside but the inside as well. Turning parent against child and friend against friend, he seeks to devide the great city to soften it for his final blow. Darus and Zurah maintain their loving bond and are fortunate to have close friends upon whom they can count when things turn nasty. When the monster attacks, where can they turn, who can they trust in the final and climatic volume of The Barsoom Pentalogy in which scores are settled and true friends arrize. In the end, great sacrifices are required to save all they love, but will it work? This book will make you want to read the other four. 438 pages, mild language and implied sexual situations. Fine for late teens.