Edgar Rice Burroughs' seventh Tarzan novel takes the Lord of the Jungle to a dark place he's never been before. Published in 1920, it's a story born from the raw emotions of World War I, and it shows.

The Story

The book hits the ground running. Tarzan comes home to find his world destroyed. His estate is in ashes, and the bodies of his servants are everywhere. A single, cryptic note suggests Jane was taken by German troops. Consumed by grief and rage, Tarzan becomes 'The Untamed.' He swears a blood oath of vengeance and sets off like a phantom, hunting the German regiment across the African landscape. His journey is relentless and brutal.

His pursuit leads him far from familiar jungles into a desolate, unknown region. Here, the plot thickens. He discovers the lost city of Xuja, a place ruled by a cruel priesthood and filled with strange perils. He forms an uneasy alliance with Bertha Kircher, a German spy with her own secrets. As Tarzan fights to survive this bizarre city and continue his hunt, the biggest question of all lingers: is Jane truly gone? The truth is far more complicated than he could have imagined.

Why You Should Read It

This is arguably the most personal Tarzan story. We're used to seeing him as an almost superhuman figure, but here he's devastatingly human. His pain is palpable, and it makes his legendary skills feel more like tools of a broken heart than just cool abilities. It adds a layer of depth that's often missing from pure pulp adventures.

Yes, it's a product of its time—the wartime propaganda against Germans is thick, and some attitudes will make a modern reader cringe. But if you can view it through a historical lens, the core of the story is powerful. It's about what happens when the best part of a person is shattered. Can they come back from that? The action is non-stop, from jungle skirmishes to escapes from ancient temples, but it's all fueled by that central, emotional engine.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves classic adventure but wants a hero with real scars. It's for readers who don't mind their pulp fiction with a side of genuine pathos. If you've only seen the movies, this will show you a side of Tarzan that Hollywood often glossed over. It's a fierce, fast-paced, and surprisingly emotional entry in the series that proves why Edgar Rice Burroughs' creation has endured for over a century. Just be ready for a bumpy, thrilling, and occasionally uncomfortable ride.