Alright, book recommendation time:
If you like planetary romances(think John Carter of Mars(think "man with sword on Mars with aliens and crystal tech")), then you'll probably enjoy Black Amazon of Mars. You'll probably enjoy it even if you're indifferent, as I am and did. It's good and despite being written in the 1930s does NOT consist entirely of bloated prose.
It can be read here: http://www.feedbooks.com/book/4844/black-amazon-of-mars
I printed it out and bound it in the traditional Japanese method because it was easier that way.
Grimly Eric John Stark slogged toward that ancient Martian city—with every step he cursed the talisman of Ban Cruach that flamed in his blood-stained belt. Behind him screamed the hordes of Ciaran, hungering for that magic jewel—ahead lay the dread abode of the Ice Creatures—at his side stalked the whispering spectre of Ban Cruach, urging him on to a battle Stark knew he must lose!