linda_w's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
easternspyw3's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
gentlemanjeff's review against another edition
3.0
A much less thoughtful, crafted sequel. Only glimmers of the former complexity. "Happy" ending tinged with Christian theology, son apparently non existent.
altruest's review against another edition
4.0
This book seemed much more action packed than the last, although not very consistent in its story. I did notice what I've seen in other reviews, Burroughs used lions a little too much in this story. I can see why these books are regarded as "pulp fiction", There really isn't any groundbreaking or masterful writing being done. It's mostly just action, cliffhanger, kidnapping, escape, repeated until the bad guy dies. Still, the cliffhangers are at least done well enough that you are left in suspense, instead of having to slog through unrelated happenings just to reach a conclusion you already know is going to happen. These Tarzan books are becoming something interesting to read between other novels.
papi's review against another edition
2.0
This was the book that turned me off to the rest of the Tarzan novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. In my mind, Opar marked the beginning of ERB's efforts to milk the Tarzan legend. It is poorly written and poorly conceived and its only reason for being appears to have been to make money. Unlike his other extended series (the Martian series), the Tarzan novels that followed his first three seemd to me to have been written with little effort to entertain. I started a few of them, but they all seemed marked by the same drudgery in writing and imagination as Opar. Too bad.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
3.0
Tarzan and Jane have lost their vast fortune, so Tarzan journeys to Opar to plunder the treasure troves of that lost civilization. But his journey is perilous, and a treacherous friend brings ruin and betrayal that will bring down even strong Tarzan. Jane is left to defend herself against the marauding Arabs, and Tarzan will have to call once again on his animal friends of the jungle to save the day.
I always like the pace of a Burroughs novel. No frills or tangents, just straightforward action and plot that moves briskly. With very few words, Burroughs paints a vivid picture of the setting, the characters, and the action.
In this book though, it felt like the plot just twisted around on itself too often. Everybody gets kidnapped too many times, and then they escape only to be taken prisoner by yet another evil group. Warring African tribes, Arabs, witch doctors, Belgian military, wild Opar priests; there are too many villains! I just wish something different would happen, rather than constantly being kidnapped and escaping again.
Tarzan and Jane are good solid characters, and there's a few good supporting characters. I was especially impressed with the Belgian Werper's character changes. He's always a villain, but he goes from being an accidental villain to a purposeful villain, and greedy villain to a remorseful villain, and back to greedy again. His internal mental processes were always interesting; how he would lie to himself in the midst of all his scheming. Good writing!
I always like the pace of a Burroughs novel. No frills or tangents, just straightforward action and plot that moves briskly. With very few words, Burroughs paints a vivid picture of the setting, the characters, and the action.
In this book though, it felt like the plot just twisted around on itself too often. Everybody gets kidnapped too many times, and then they escape only to be taken prisoner by yet another evil group. Warring African tribes, Arabs, witch doctors, Belgian military, wild Opar priests; there are too many villains! I just wish something different would happen, rather than constantly being kidnapped and escaping again.
Tarzan and Jane are good solid characters, and there's a few good supporting characters. I was especially impressed with the Belgian Werper's character changes. He's always a villain, but he goes from being an accidental villain to a purposeful villain, and greedy villain to a remorseful villain, and back to greedy again. His internal mental processes were always interesting; how he would lie to himself in the midst of all his scheming. Good writing!
livesinthetub's review against another edition
3.0
book #16 of 2021: Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs (pub. 1916) this book wasn’t quite as fun as the last one, but still rollicking. 3/5. and now for something completely different.... (I think I mean it this time)
romankurys's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this as a kid I was completely mesmerized. It was a literary masterpiece and I believe it still is.
A very fun read, this chapter took us back to Opar and then all hell broke lose. The mighty Tarzan, Lord Greystoke is back in full glory and non stop action ensues.
If you've read previous four installments of these series you know exactly what to expect and if you enjoyed the previous four installments you will doubtless enjoy this one as well.
Good reading!
Roman
A very fun read, this chapter took us back to Opar and then all hell broke lose. The mighty Tarzan, Lord Greystoke is back in full glory and non stop action ensues.
If you've read previous four installments of these series you know exactly what to expect and if you enjoyed the previous four installments you will doubtless enjoy this one as well.
Good reading!
Roman
romankurys's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this as a kid I was completely mesmerized. It was a literary masterpiece and I believe it still is.
A very fun read, this chapter took us back to Opar and then all hell broke lose. The mighty Tarzan, Lord Greystoke is back in full glory and non stop action ensues.
If you've read previous four installments of these series you know exactly what to expect and if you enjoyed the previous four installments you will doubtless enjoy this one as well.
Good reading!
Roman
A very fun read, this chapter took us back to Opar and then all hell broke lose. The mighty Tarzan, Lord Greystoke is back in full glory and non stop action ensues.
If you've read previous four installments of these series you know exactly what to expect and if you enjoyed the previous four installments you will doubtless enjoy this one as well.
Good reading!
Roman
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