If you think you know Tarzan stories, this one throws a curveball. It starts with Tarzan finding an orphaned lion cub and raising it as his own. Jad-bal-ja grows into a magnificent, intelligent companion. But peace never lasts long for the Lord of the Jungle.

The Story

Tarzan, along with his friend and Jad-bal-ja, gets drawn into the mystery of a hidden valley called the Valley of Diamonds. Here, they find the city of Opar—a leftover from ancient Atlantis—ruled by the beautiful but dangerous High Priestess, La. The locals worship a giant diamond as a god. Through betrayal, Tarzan is captured and forced to drink a powerful drug called the 'corpse-maker.' It wipes his memory and turns him into a docile slave. The rest of the story is a race against time. His friends must rescue him while Jad-bal-ja, the golden lion, struggles between his trained loyalty and his wild nature. Can Tarzan's true self break through the chemical fog?

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just a simple rescue mission. Burroughs uses the 'corpse-maker' drug to ask a cool question: what makes you, you? Is it just memories, or is there something deeper that can't be erased? Seeing the mighty Tarjan reduced to a blank slate is strangely powerful. The bond with Jad-bal-ja is the heart of the book. It's a story about friendship that crosses species, and trust that goes deeper than commands. La, the priestess, is also a fascinating character—torn between her duty, her power, and her feelings for Tarzan.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves classic, fast-paced adventure with a little extra depth. If you enjoy stories about lost worlds, loyal animal companions, and heroes facing psychological battles as well as physical ones, you'll have a blast. It's a solid, entertaining entry in the Tarzan series that proves these old pulp adventures can still make you think and keep you flipping pages late into the night.