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Tarzan #1
Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy
What lies in the depths of the jungle? Escaping a dark secret, Robbie Canler joins an illegal logging team in the Congo jungle. Now they"re under siege from a sinister force. When the daughter of the camp's boss, Jane Porter, goes missing they assume bloodthirsty rebel soldiers have kidnapped her. Robbie sets out on a rescue mission - unaware he is being watched...Are the rumours of a feral man raised by wild apes true? If so, can the mysterious untamed savage be trusted to help them?
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Andy Briggs
81 books63 followersAndy is a screenwriter, graphic novelist, author and conservationist – writing on movie projects such as “JUDGE DREDD” and “FREDDY VS JASON” and “FOREVERMAN” for Paramount Pictures, Spiderman creator Stan Lee and legendary producer Robert Evans. He has worked on TV projects for Syfy, Netflix, ITV and Amazon and is working extensively between the UK, US and China.
Andy went on to work on Warner Bros.’ animated “AQUAMAN” – while at the same time landing an eight-book deal with Oxford University Press for “HERO.COM” and “VILLAIN.NET”. His comics and graphic novels include MADISON DARK, RITUAL and DINOCORPS.
He wrote and Executively Produced the UK/Chinese movie – LEGENDARY – starring Scott Adkins and Dolph Lungdren. In 2018 his latest movie, CROWHURST (directed by Simon Rumley, Dist. Studio Canal),was released this year to critical acclaim. SUPERVIZED (directed by Steve Barron, starring Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges )was released in 2019. In 2020 his latest theatric drama-documentary, THE BASTARD KING was release in France to huge critical acclaim.
He has rebooted the classic character TARZAN, with a series of contemporary books TARZAN: THE GREYSTOKE LEGACY, TARZAN: THE JUNGLE WARRIOR and TARZAN: THE SAVAGE LANDS. His latest series of middle grade novels – THE INVENTORY – and DRONE RACER – are published by Scholastic. 2019 saw his debut novel for adults, CTRL+S, published by Orion.
His latest venture, The Shingle Media, is a new production company that will make theatre, TV and film, and it already has an exciting slate of projects…
Andy went on to work on Warner Bros.’ animated “AQUAMAN” – while at the same time landing an eight-book deal with Oxford University Press for “HERO.COM” and “VILLAIN.NET”. His comics and graphic novels include MADISON DARK, RITUAL and DINOCORPS.
He wrote and Executively Produced the UK/Chinese movie – LEGENDARY – starring Scott Adkins and Dolph Lungdren. In 2018 his latest movie, CROWHURST (directed by Simon Rumley, Dist. Studio Canal),was released this year to critical acclaim. SUPERVIZED (directed by Steve Barron, starring Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges )was released in 2019. In 2020 his latest theatric drama-documentary, THE BASTARD KING was release in France to huge critical acclaim.
He has rebooted the classic character TARZAN, with a series of contemporary books TARZAN: THE GREYSTOKE LEGACY, TARZAN: THE JUNGLE WARRIOR and TARZAN: THE SAVAGE LANDS. His latest series of middle grade novels – THE INVENTORY – and DRONE RACER – are published by Scholastic. 2019 saw his debut novel for adults, CTRL+S, published by Orion.
His latest venture, The Shingle Media, is a new production company that will make theatre, TV and film, and it already has an exciting slate of projects…
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2021
CW: animals killed by trophy hunters
3.5 Stars
Well that was a good modern eco-warrior interpretation of a beloved classic!
Yes, it was a bit in your face with it's environmental preservation issues, but why not? People aren't listening, so be as loud and obvious as the earth needs I reckon! It was a great action survival story and I loved that we got to see the story from so many different perspectives. I am actually interested in reading the next one to see if Tarzan is reconnected with his family! Great adventure story!
3.5 Stars
Well that was a good modern eco-warrior interpretation of a beloved classic!
Yes, it was a bit in your face with it's environmental preservation issues, but why not? People aren't listening, so be as loud and obvious as the earth needs I reckon! It was a great action survival story and I loved that we got to see the story from so many different perspectives. I am actually interested in reading the next one to see if Tarzan is reconnected with his family! Great adventure story!
May 31, 2015
This one gets 5 stars because i LOVE Tarzan stories!
Being a HUGE Tarzan fan, I loved this story set in current time. When Jane Porter and Robbie Canler first experience the Negoogunogumbar – a spirit of the jungle (as the local natives call him) they don't believe it. Jane is in the jungle with her father who is a key piece in the logging operation he works in. Robbie is there, as he is hiding from the world with a secret that burns deep inside him.
When Jane meets Tarzan face to face, she can't deny his existence any more. And soon they are all needing Tarzan's help.
This is part 1 of a three part series, full of action and the good old fashioned Tarzan magic.
Being a HUGE Tarzan fan, I loved this story set in current time. When Jane Porter and Robbie Canler first experience the Negoogunogumbar – a spirit of the jungle (as the local natives call him) they don't believe it. Jane is in the jungle with her father who is a key piece in the logging operation he works in. Robbie is there, as he is hiding from the world with a secret that burns deep inside him.
When Jane meets Tarzan face to face, she can't deny his existence any more. And soon they are all needing Tarzan's help.
This is part 1 of a three part series, full of action and the good old fashioned Tarzan magic.
March 4, 2015
Despite slow start, this was actually pretty good. I am a life-long Tarzan fan and really enjoyed the updated version.
July 13, 2017
Good, but not a classic.
Set in modern times, Tarzan is much the character he was when first discovered in the first book but Edgar Rice Burroughs. He's huge and strong, capable of flying effortlessly through the trees, tough as nails, and king of the jungle. Jane Porter is a spoiled, selfish, bratty teenager who accompanies her father, a former doctor, to the Congo on a ill-fated expedition to illegally cut expensive hardwood trees from the forest. There, the Porters and their criminal helpers, earn Tarzan's ire for their destruction of his homeland, made worse as they subsequently also provoke the local militants into conflict as well.
Jane is swept out into the jungle during a battle and rescued by Tarzan. They befriend each other and Jane starts to grow up as she learns to appreciate the jungle and the animals within. When her father and friends are taken hostage by the bloodthirsty gang of rebels and criminals, she enlists Tarzan's help to rescue them. Tarzan, king of all the animals, recruits lions and elephants and gorillas, building an army that destroys the gangsters and rescues the hostages.
I didn't realize the book was Young Adult level before picking it up, so it took a chapter to get into it because I was expecting too much. But once I realized the intended audience, the book seemed appropriate to the reading level. I didn't feel like the writing style was as evocative as the original Burroughs books, but it wasn't bad. I hate bratty teenage characters, but that's who Briggs is writing for, so it made sense to have them. And they did improve over time.
One thing I immensely disliked about the original Tarzan was that he's turned into a gentlemen and speaks fluently rather quickly and starts putting on airs. While the jungle part of the story was fantastic, I thought it was a complete mistake to take him out of the wild like that and I disliked that whole civilized section of the story. The Greystoke Legacy is a new origin story based on the original, and, at this point, they left him firmly in the jungle. I don't know what the rest of the books in the series are like, but I hope they continue leaving him in the jungle for his next adventures.
I think it's a book that teenagers today would enjoy as an introduction into the character of Tarzan. Probably easier and more interesting for them than the original might be.
Set in modern times, Tarzan is much the character he was when first discovered in the first book but Edgar Rice Burroughs. He's huge and strong, capable of flying effortlessly through the trees, tough as nails, and king of the jungle. Jane Porter is a spoiled, selfish, bratty teenager who accompanies her father, a former doctor, to the Congo on a ill-fated expedition to illegally cut expensive hardwood trees from the forest. There, the Porters and their criminal helpers, earn Tarzan's ire for their destruction of his homeland, made worse as they subsequently also provoke the local militants into conflict as well.
Jane is swept out into the jungle during a battle and rescued by Tarzan. They befriend each other and Jane starts to grow up as she learns to appreciate the jungle and the animals within. When her father and friends are taken hostage by the bloodthirsty gang of rebels and criminals, she enlists Tarzan's help to rescue them. Tarzan, king of all the animals, recruits lions and elephants and gorillas, building an army that destroys the gangsters and rescues the hostages.
I didn't realize the book was Young Adult level before picking it up, so it took a chapter to get into it because I was expecting too much. But once I realized the intended audience, the book seemed appropriate to the reading level. I didn't feel like the writing style was as evocative as the original Burroughs books, but it wasn't bad. I hate bratty teenage characters, but that's who Briggs is writing for, so it made sense to have them. And they did improve over time.
One thing I immensely disliked about the original Tarzan was that he's turned into a gentlemen and speaks fluently rather quickly and starts putting on airs. While the jungle part of the story was fantastic, I thought it was a complete mistake to take him out of the wild like that and I disliked that whole civilized section of the story. The Greystoke Legacy is a new origin story based on the original, and, at this point, they left him firmly in the jungle. I don't know what the rest of the books in the series are like, but I hope they continue leaving him in the jungle for his next adventures.
I think it's a book that teenagers today would enjoy as an introduction into the character of Tarzan. Probably easier and more interesting for them than the original might be.
February 1, 2019
Andy Briggs brings Tarzan swinging into the 21 st century! I'd like to think that Edgar Rice Burrough would approve of what Andy Briggs has dome with Tarzan. Most of the things we all loved about Tarzan are still present, He's still an English lord, raised in the Jungle by Apes while the thing we disliked, Heavily Cliched narrative of African tribes has rightly gone to be replaced with rebel guerillas. Jane is portrayed as a more up to date teenager, even sadly not being able to do without email! But not as a damsel in distress! Tarzan comes over as a 21st-century Eco-warrior!
As for the story itself
The Congo jungle is inhabited by strange creatures: endangered mountain gorillas, okapi, lions, elephants, poachers, pygmy tribes, illegal loggers, rebel soldiers and a mysterious ape-man called Tarzan.
Teenager Robbie Canler has fled a murder in New York to become a logger. His boss’s daughter Jane is his only friend. Mysterious saboteurs keep attacking their camp - their message is clear – leave the jungle alone. But when Jane disappears and the loggers are beaten, then imprisoned by thuggish rebels, it seems that Tarzan is their only hope.
The Novel is tailored towards the younger reader, But At no stage did I feel I was reading a novel aimed at that market!. An enjoyable adventure and a welcome return for one of literatures most loved characters.
As for the story itself
The Congo jungle is inhabited by strange creatures: endangered mountain gorillas, okapi, lions, elephants, poachers, pygmy tribes, illegal loggers, rebel soldiers and a mysterious ape-man called Tarzan.
Teenager Robbie Canler has fled a murder in New York to become a logger. His boss’s daughter Jane is his only friend. Mysterious saboteurs keep attacking their camp - their message is clear – leave the jungle alone. But when Jane disappears and the loggers are beaten, then imprisoned by thuggish rebels, it seems that Tarzan is their only hope.
The Novel is tailored towards the younger reader, But At no stage did I feel I was reading a novel aimed at that market!. An enjoyable adventure and a welcome return for one of literatures most loved characters.
February 27, 2023
Glad I read it
The story was pretty much what you would expect from the title but with a fresh perspective. Set in the 21st century, a teenage girl and her father have arrived in the jungle--the dad to seek his fortune while the girl just wants to go home. Due to attacks from an unknown enemy, the girl ends up in the river and alone in the jungle where the adventure ensues. Lots of excitement, danger, and heroics.
You get a real sense of the jungle's dangers and the beauty of it as well. The author describes the vegetation and wildlife with enough detail that it does not detract from the story but draws you in. When one of the characters is attacked by army ants, you can almost feel them crawling on you.
Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but there is a great story here and you see the characters change and grow . Besides its trilogy! So just know there is more to come.
The violence is pretty realistic and gruesome at times. Wouldn't recommend for a child. Only a few cuss words and no sex.
The story was pretty much what you would expect from the title but with a fresh perspective. Set in the 21st century, a teenage girl and her father have arrived in the jungle--the dad to seek his fortune while the girl just wants to go home. Due to attacks from an unknown enemy, the girl ends up in the river and alone in the jungle where the adventure ensues. Lots of excitement, danger, and heroics.
You get a real sense of the jungle's dangers and the beauty of it as well. The author describes the vegetation and wildlife with enough detail that it does not detract from the story but draws you in. When one of the characters is attacked by army ants, you can almost feel them crawling on you.
Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but there is a great story here and you see the characters change and grow . Besides its trilogy! So just know there is more to come.
The violence is pretty realistic and gruesome at times. Wouldn't recommend for a child. Only a few cuss words and no sex.
November 15, 2018
A modern retelling of the Tarzan legend is actually pretty decent, with a good storyline and interesting characters, with definite moral questions that are not given easy answers. The first ion a series.
June 22, 2019
A gripping retelling of the Tarzan legend. As soon as the action died down something unexpected and exciting happened
July 10, 2023
Part of what makes the story of Tarzan work is the time period. Modern Tarzan stories with iPhones and such doesn’t really work the same.
March 12, 2012
Initially, after reading the Edgar Rice Burroughs original, I had my doubts whether anyone could pull off a convincing update of the legend that is Tarzan. Having just finished Andy Briggs' bravura first novel in this new series, I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that he is the worthy successor to such a literary legacy.
Briggs begins with an atmospheric opener, taking time to introduce us to his cast of supporting characters, including that of Jane Porter and her father, Archie, here a logger rather than a slightly absent minded professor.
References to the White Ape, or the "negoogunogumbar", are all the avid reader has of Tarzan, at least until some way into the book, but this serves him well, for it creates a mythology around the character, so when he does make his first appearance, the reader is in no doubt that this is a living legend.
Inevitably, the story is wrapped in ecological awareness, but this, too, serves it well, as to try and write such a character in today's world and not make it about conservation, would be, literally not seeing the wood for the trees.
The reinvention of Tarzan here, then, is of an eco-warrior, but not one who waves placards and lectures the reader every chance they get. There is more than enough room here for action and intrigue, and the ending leaves the reader waiting for the next in the series with anticipation.
Briggs treads respectfully yet playfully in Burroughs' ample footprints, and finds the journey immensely enjoyable, as did this reader.
Andy - the boy done good!
Briggs begins with an atmospheric opener, taking time to introduce us to his cast of supporting characters, including that of Jane Porter and her father, Archie, here a logger rather than a slightly absent minded professor.
References to the White Ape, or the "negoogunogumbar", are all the avid reader has of Tarzan, at least until some way into the book, but this serves him well, for it creates a mythology around the character, so when he does make his first appearance, the reader is in no doubt that this is a living legend.
Inevitably, the story is wrapped in ecological awareness, but this, too, serves it well, as to try and write such a character in today's world and not make it about conservation, would be, literally not seeing the wood for the trees.
The reinvention of Tarzan here, then, is of an eco-warrior, but not one who waves placards and lectures the reader every chance they get. There is more than enough room here for action and intrigue, and the ending leaves the reader waiting for the next in the series with anticipation.
Briggs treads respectfully yet playfully in Burroughs' ample footprints, and finds the journey immensely enjoyable, as did this reader.
Andy - the boy done good!
October 27, 2013
Andy Briggs has done a reboot on the Tarzan legend for its 100th anniversary. Tarzan first appeared in a story by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912 and has never left pop culture since. For today's audience Briggs portrays Tarzan as the son of wildlife activists, whose plane crashed in Zaire and Tarzan has no memory of them. He has grown up with a tribe of gorillas and become king of the jungle in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jane comes to the jungle with her father and his friend Clark. The men have a "get rich" scheme of illegal logging in the rain forest and Jane is stuck in the logging camp with only one other person her age, a young man named Robbie who has stowed away on a freighter from the U.S. When Jane becomes lost, she encounters Tarzan and begins to piece together his story. The area is full of wildlife, rebel forces, poachers, and other dangers - but Jane comes to appreciate the wild beauty and even the brutality of survival.
If you enjoy adventure, eco-warriors defending the wild places of the Earth, heart-stopping danger, and daring heroes, then you should give Tarzan a try. This is no kind-hearted "George of the Jungle." Tarzan is 100% jungle predator. And the book has even captured the approval of Jane Goodall.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
If you enjoy adventure, eco-warriors defending the wild places of the Earth, heart-stopping danger, and daring heroes, then you should give Tarzan a try. This is no kind-hearted "George of the Jungle." Tarzan is 100% jungle predator. And the book has even captured the approval of Jane Goodall.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
December 24, 2015
I was very impressed with this new and updated version of the story of Tarzan, which is quite different in the actual books from what pop culture tends to portray. The update to the 21st century actually worked very well. Tarzan isn't softened into merely a wild environmental activist; he's still very much the king of the jungle and the book opens with his killing of three poachers. I liked that he is raised by gorillas (a good choice also made by Disney), as ERB's "mangani" are rather unbelievable in a modern context. Jane is a believable modern young woman, capable of much more than she thinks, and changing the stereotypical Esmeralda the black servant to Esmee the Congolese teacher was a great improvement. I wish D'Arnot (updated in this version to a French UN peacekeeper) hadn't died by the time the story takes place, as I would have loved to read about him teaching Tarzan to speak. Maybe we could get a flashback in a sequel? This book might be targeted at tween and teen readers, but for my money it's a much better retelling of Tarzan's story than Robin Maxwell's "Jane" which I recently read as well.
October 7, 2012
This was so ridiculous. I like the Tarzan legend, but this didn't do it justice. It was an interesting concept, bringing Tarzan into a contemporary period, but with the realism of logging and genocide, Tarzan's life was less easily believed. Andy Briggs seemed uncertain of who he was writing for, trying to appeal to both genders by mixing gory descriptions of Tarzan murdering loggers with Jane swooning over Tarzan's Greek god body and Adonis abs. (Needless to say, it didn't work.) There was also a lot of head-hopping. I don't mind switching POVs if it's handled well, but head-hopping within a paragraph is generally A Bad Idea.
I was also offended by the note on the back of the book that said that 10p from the sale of every book would be going to the EAZA Ape Campaign. Ten measly pence from a RRP of £6.99? Seriously? This seems such a disgustingly paltry sum that it genuinely makes me angry.
I was also offended by the note on the back of the book that said that 10p from the sale of every book would be going to the EAZA Ape Campaign. Ten measly pence from a RRP of £6.99? Seriously? This seems such a disgustingly paltry sum that it genuinely makes me angry.
January 6, 2013
Andy Briggs brings Tarzan and Jane into the 21st century, giving this classic a contemporary feel while maintaing many of the original character traits. There is a lot of action which hooks the reader from the very beginning - unfortunately, there is also a considerable amount of violence portrayed, making the book unsuitable for most primary students. I have to admit that I have never been a big fan of Tarzan (even though a black and white TV series was a big hit during my childhood) and yet I could imagine reading a second book in this new series since the author got me curious to find out how he will further develop the plot. I appreciated the additional information at the end of the book on apes, the rain forest and the author. Andy Briggs is definitely an interesting personality and I can see students being intrigued by his writing of graphic novels and his experience in Hollywood movie productions.
February 14, 2012
As a friend told about something else - "Why did I rate it a 1? Because I couldn't go any lower". Boy does that description fit this book. I am a huge fan of Tarzan and to even put his name on this book is an insult. It claims to be a modernization of the story, but its more of a complete raping of the story and the characters. I honestly can NOT believe the Burroughs Foundation approved this horrible portrayal.
None of the characters have their characteristics as set up by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Everything is different and nothing happens at all like the original. I'm actually sorry I bothered getting this travesty. Please don't make the same mistake.
None of the characters have their characteristics as set up by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Everything is different and nothing happens at all like the original. I'm actually sorry I bothered getting this travesty. Please don't make the same mistake.
January 30, 2015
As a great fan of the Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan, I found this to be a bit difficult to begin. In comparing this first adaption by Andy Briggs with Burroughs introduction in Tarzan of the Apes, I found that Briggs couldn't hold a candle to Burroughs. HOWEVER, remembering the later the more simplistic and fantastic plots and characterization Burroughs used when Tarzan became quite popular I realized that it is that more simplistic Tarzan which Briggs has achieved to emulate. Briggs gives the series an entirely new ecological twist. I will be quite interested in reading the next book in the series,
November 24, 2013
I really liked this it was great. Tarzan was really cool although it was definitely fairly brutal in places. I also liked Robbie, I thought he was kind of sweet and noble the way he risked his own life to try and save Jane. The fight scene with all the animals was epic and made the story very exciting. I very much enjoyed it!
December 4, 2012
Tarzan is an all-time favorite of mine, and Andy Briggs does an awesome job of recreating the story to bring it into a modern light! Can't wait to read the next book!!
March 31, 2015
I started this not expecting much, but ended up surprised and quite like the "rebooted" story. No comparison to Edgar Rice Burroughs original books but definitely worth a read for any Tarzan fan.
January 26, 2016
This book is great and I got my copy signed by Andy when he came into my school. However I don't think that the title has much to do with the general plot and it should've been given a different one.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews