The Beast-Jewel of Mars

"The Beast-Jewel of Mars" by Leigh Douglass Brackett is an intriguing science fiction novella that follows Captain Burk Winters on a perilous journey. After his girlfriend's suspicious death, Winters embarks on a dangerous Martian vice known as 'Shanga' or the Going Back. Initially motivated by a desire to rescue Jill Leeland, the story quickly unfolds into a thrilling adventure. Winters finds himself confronted with the sinister underbelly of the canal cities, entangled in conspiracies driven by greed. But the true challenge lies in the planet itself, as Mars refuses to succumb to economic conquest without a fight. This gripping tale explores themes of vengeance, resistance, and the indomitable spirit of a world unwilling to be subjugated.