Tarzan the Terrible

Tarzan the Terrible is an adventure novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first published in 1921. It is the eighth Tarzan novel and a direct continuation of Tarzan the Untamed. Tarzan now knows that Jane survived and follows the trail of her German captor into an unexplored interior.

Beyond a barrier of swamps lies Pal-ul-don, an isolated land divided between the tailed Waz-don and Ho-don peoples and threatened by formidable prehistoric creatures. To continue the search, Tarzan must master an unfamiliar world of languages, customs, cities, and rival powers.

He allies himself with Om-at and enters conflicts surrounding the city of A-lur, while Jane faces captivity and danger elsewhere in the valley. Korak's arrival brings another searcher into Pal-ul-don, and three paths begin to converge.

The novel joins lost-world fantasy to the emotional momentum of a family separation. Jane's resourcefulness receives substantial attention alongside Tarzan's feats, and the strange societies of Pal-ul-don make adaptation, alliance, and recognition as important as physical strength.

"Silent as the shadows through which he moved, the great beast slunk through the midnight jungle, his yellow-green eyes round and staring, his sinewy tail undulating behind him, his head lowered and flattened, and every muscle vibrant to the thrill of the hunt. The jungle moon dappled an occasional clearing which the great cat was always careful to avoid."