The Chessmen of Mars

This book tells the story of Tara, a headstrong princess who travels to an unfamiliar region of Barsoom and is captured by the Kaldanes, a race of horrific creatures. While imprisoned, she befriends one of the creatures and learns to play a game similar to chess, jetan. The story is a part of the Barsoom series and is set in a unique and fantastical world.