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Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins/Jad Bal Ja the Golden Lion
Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins is a fabulous Tarzan book written by Edgar Rice Burroughs for younger readers.
The Tarzan Twins, two schoolboys, Dick and Doc, are cousins who resemble each other because their mothers are twins. As Dick is also related to Tarzan through his father, they become known as the Tarzan Twins.
Invited to visit Tarzan's African estate, they become lost in the jungle and are imprisoned by cannibals, from whom they escape. They are then reunited with their host, who introduces them to his pet lion, Jad-bal-ja.
Subsequently, they become involved in an adventure involving exiles from the lost city of Opar, who have kidnapped Gretchen von Harben, the daughter of a missionary.
150 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2009
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About the author
Edgar Rice Burroughs
2,806 books2,735 followersEdgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 3, 2025
Although written a good few years after The Tarzan Twins, this is more or less a direct sequel to that book and places it in the timeline prior to Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle by introducing characters who will show up in that book. (EDIT: The characters (the von Harben family) don't actually show up until Tarzan and the Lost Empire, but I think this still makes sense for a placement within the timeline.)
This time, insufferable not-twins "Dick" and "Doc" (cousins! identical cousins!) have made it safely to Tarzan's ranch, so, naturally, Tarzan takes them on an expedition back into the jungle where they're promptly separated from him by a mighty storm, and promptly start heading off on their own, where they get tangled up in events.
This time, happily, instead of a horribly racist, stereotyped cannibal village, the events involve a group of priest fleeing the lost Atlantean colony of Opar (having been supporters of would-be usurper Cadj during the events of Tarzan and the Golden Lion) -- they have a little, blonde girl they intend to press into service as their new High Priestess when they found a new and improved city out in the back of the beyond.
And, of course, the insufferable twins are bound and determined to rescue the girl from her captors and yes, Tarzan does show up at the end, as does Jad-bal-ja, although he hardly has enough of a presence in the book to warrant title credit.
Again, eminently skippable, but less egregiously offensive than the first.
This time, insufferable not-twins "Dick" and "Doc" (cousins! identical cousins!) have made it safely to Tarzan's ranch, so, naturally, Tarzan takes them on an expedition back into the jungle where they're promptly separated from him by a mighty storm, and promptly start heading off on their own, where they get tangled up in events.
This time, happily, instead of a horribly racist, stereotyped cannibal village, the events involve a group of priest fleeing the lost Atlantean colony of Opar (having been supporters of would-be usurper Cadj during the events of Tarzan and the Golden Lion) -- they have a little, blonde girl they intend to press into service as their new High Priestess when they found a new and improved city out in the back of the beyond.
And, of course, the insufferable twins are bound and determined to rescue the girl from her captors and yes, Tarzan does show up at the end, as does Jad-bal-ja, although he hardly has enough of a presence in the book to warrant title credit.
Again, eminently skippable, but less egregiously offensive than the first.
May 14, 2018
The title is almost longer than the story, and a little more interesting, to be honest. I wasn't a big fan of The Tarzan Twins so I didn't have big hopes for the sequel, which turned out to be just as well.
Dick and Doc are back in action. After their rescue by Tarzan in the previous book they are hanging out at his estate. Tarzan introduces them to Jad-bal-ja, the Golden Lion, and takes them out into the jungle. The boys get separated from Tarzan in the middle of a fierce storm. During their adventure they run into some rogue Oparians and a requisite damsel in distress. This time around the girl, Gretchen von Harben, is a 12-year-old girl whom the Oparians have kidnapped for the purpose of making her their priestess. The boys perform almost Tarzan-like feats and mount a rescue mission.
I'm not saying this is a bad book, it's fine. It was written for boys in their young teens and probably appealed to them when it came out. However, it has almost no Tarzan and I never like seeing anyone else pretending to be Tarzan (except Korak, of course.) I raced through it and can remember very little about it despite finishing it only a couple of days ago. It's not good when the best thing you can say about a Tarzan book is that it's better than Tarzan and the Ant Men.
I gave it only three meh stars even with the Tarzan bump.
Dick and Doc are back in action. After their rescue by Tarzan in the previous book they are hanging out at his estate. Tarzan introduces them to Jad-bal-ja, the Golden Lion, and takes them out into the jungle. The boys get separated from Tarzan in the middle of a fierce storm. During their adventure they run into some rogue Oparians and a requisite damsel in distress. This time around the girl, Gretchen von Harben, is a 12-year-old girl whom the Oparians have kidnapped for the purpose of making her their priestess. The boys perform almost Tarzan-like feats and mount a rescue mission.
I'm not saying this is a bad book, it's fine. It was written for boys in their young teens and probably appealed to them when it came out. However, it has almost no Tarzan and I never like seeing anyone else pretending to be Tarzan (except Korak, of course.) I raced through it and can remember very little about it despite finishing it only a couple of days ago. It's not good when the best thing you can say about a Tarzan book is that it's better than Tarzan and the Ant Men.
I gave it only three meh stars even with the Tarzan bump.
June 21, 2021
This is the sequel to The Tarzan Twins. Quite a deceptive title as, the Golden Lion barely made a mention.
This book follows on nicely from The Tarzan Twins. Tarzan takes Dick and Doc into the jungle to explore. After a torrential downpour, they get separated from Tarzan. In the process of trying to find their way home, they encounter some Gorilla Men from Opar who stole a young girl to become a new High Priest. Both Dick and Doc swing into action.
A fun story, way too short, lots of action, ends too quickly. Like with much of Burroughs Tarzan Works this story doesn’t really fit into the set. He randomly adds two relatives that like with Jane and his son we’ll no doubt never hear from again in any other story.
This book follows on nicely from The Tarzan Twins. Tarzan takes Dick and Doc into the jungle to explore. After a torrential downpour, they get separated from Tarzan. In the process of trying to find their way home, they encounter some Gorilla Men from Opar who stole a young girl to become a new High Priest. Both Dick and Doc swing into action.
A fun story, way too short, lots of action, ends too quickly. Like with much of Burroughs Tarzan Works this story doesn’t really fit into the set. He randomly adds two relatives that like with Jane and his son we’ll no doubt never hear from again in any other story.
June 21, 2021
This is the sequel to The Tarzan Twins. Quite a deceptive title as, the Golden Lion barely made a mention.
This book follows on nicely from The Tarzan Twins. Tarzan takes Dick and Doc into the jungle to explore. After a torrential downpour, they get separated from Tarzan. In the process of trying to find their way home, they encounter some Gorilla Men from Opar who stole a young girl to become a new High Priest. Both Dick and Doc swing into action.
A fun story, way too short, lots of action, ends too quickly. Like with much of Burroughs Tarzan Works this story doesn’t really fit into the set. He randomly adds two relatives that like with Jane and his son we’ll no doubt never hear from again in any other story.
This book follows on nicely from The Tarzan Twins. Tarzan takes Dick and Doc into the jungle to explore. After a torrential downpour, they get separated from Tarzan. In the process of trying to find their way home, they encounter some Gorilla Men from Opar who stole a young girl to become a new High Priest. Both Dick and Doc swing into action.
A fun story, way too short, lots of action, ends too quickly. Like with much of Burroughs Tarzan Works this story doesn’t really fit into the set. He randomly adds two relatives that like with Jane and his son we’ll no doubt never hear from again in any other story.
November 3, 2016
I'm a sucker for ERB stories. This one was good. Definitely a bit more mature than the other Tarzan Twins story. I don't think I'd read this one to my four year old son just yet, but in a couple of years I think he'll love it.
December 7, 2017
Oh, the naivete of these boys. More Oparians, but no La. I love how chivalrous the boys are. And how Jad-bal-ja saved the day. Three cheers for the Golden Lion!
February 19, 2018
Children's book by the creator of Tarzan.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews