This is the story of the adventurous John Carter and the princess he loves, Dejah Thoris. As the book opens, the two of them are attacked, and Dejah is carried away, leaving Carter to wonder whether he will ever see her again. He calls on his friend Tars Tarkas to help, but their journey to recover the princess is an eventful and sometimes dangerous one. In the process he discovers a plot by Pew Mogel, a Hormad, to conquer Helium and eventually Barsoom by using an army of White Apes. Pew Mogel's army is carried into battle. Can John Carter save the day?