Edgar Rice Burroughs is famous for jungle kings and Martian princesses, but here he plants his flag in medieval England. The Outlaw of Torn is a different kind of adventure, one steeped in mud, blood, and personal vengeance.

The Story

The book throws us into the chaos of King Henry III's England. We follow Norman of Torn, a man raised from childhood to be a weapon of hate. Trained by a mysterious old monk with a grudge, Norman becomes the leader of a fierce band of outlaws. They don't just rob the rich—they humiliate and terrorize the Norman nobility. Clad in black armor and hiding his face, he's a ghost story the knights tell each other. His main target seems to be the powerful Prince de Montfort. But when he crosses paths with the prince's daughter, Mary, things get complicated. The central puzzle of the story is Norman himself. Who is he really? Why was he shaped into this engine of destruction? The answers are tied to a dark secret from the past, one that could change everything.

Why You Should Read It

Forget noble knights in shining armor. Norman of Torn is a raw, angry force of nature. Reading his story is like watching a train wreck in slow motion—you know his path of revenge is self-destructive, but you can't look away. Burroughs writes action that feels immediate and brutal. The sword fights are messy, the politics are dirty, and the emotions are big. What hooked me was the core question of identity. Norman has been told who to hate his whole life. Watching him grapple with the truth, and decide what kind of man he wants to be, gives this pulpy adventure a surprising heart. It's a story about breaking free from the story someone else wrote for you.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who thinks classic adventure needs sharper teeth. If you love the pace and plot of The Princess Bride but wish it had a grittier edge, you'll find a lot to enjoy here. It's also a great pick for Burroughs fans curious to see him outside the jungle. Don't come expecting deep historical accuracy—come expecting a compelling, page-turning story about revenge, identity, and one man's war against his own destiny. It's a hidden gem in Burroughs' catalog that deserves more readers.