How to Speak Dragonese

How to Train Your Dragon #3

by Cressida Cowell

A Viking lesson in pirating takes a strange turn when Hiccup and his best friend, Fishlegs, accidentally raid the wrong ship while trying to escape Sharkworms. The two lads rescue a tiny yet arrogant nanodragon named Ziggerastica, but then they are kidnapped as part of a vicious plot to steal every dragon on the Isle of Berk! Hiccup must rely on his tiny new friend, and his ability to speak Dragonese, to save the day ... again!

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Middle Grade, Adventure

Audible Audio

First published November 17, 2005

About the author

Cressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon is now published in over 30 languages. A DreamWorks Animation feature film is out in March 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband and three children.

Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)

Reviews

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, my poor Toothless. That was so mean. Those asshole Romans... The plot was rather exhausting and the Vikings are so stupid... Still, as always, very amusing.

[Sara Saif · Rating 3 out of 5]

---The books are starting to seem a bit repetitive. Hiccup and Fishlegs get bullied in the beginning, manage to mess up their lessons and land somewhere completely different, encounter something/someone, get back but nobody believes them then save the day/themselves.
---It still made me LOL a lot so there's that.
---We meet Astrid's book counterpart called "Camicazi". Instead of the Hairy Hooligans, she belongs to the Bog-Burglar tribe of women and is their heir. She is tiny but ferocious.
---The Vikings clash with Romans. Hilarity ensues.
---Alvin the Treacherous returns.
---The Dragonese bits were my favorite. They were really, really funny.
ENGLISH ----------- DRAGONESE
laugh-------------(do di chuckli ha-has)
legs hurting------------(ow-indi-tootsies)
kiss--------------(swappa da yucki lip-juice)
night---------------(zuzztime)
no problem--------------(easipeasilemonsqueezi)
to lose your temper------------(do di screemiberserkers)
wind----------------(thorpuff)
bite someone on the bottom------------(yum-yum on di bum)
farts--------------------(buttok-thunder)
enemies---------------(piss people)
human beings------------(da wingless land prisoners no-brainers)

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars ...

Not enough "Toothless"! 😂

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a short time span that I didn't know which part of the series it was. I don't know of it is just not stated on the swedish translation or if it's common everywhere. I did enjoy the story a lot. Was a fun easy read and I loved the dragon. But I kept feeling like it reminded me a lot of something however I couldn't put my finger on it. Didn't recognize the art form

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series remains quirky and fun, a good break from doing reading for my dissertation. Hiccup and Toothless are the perfect characters to root for: underdogs who nevertheless come out on top. Still, there isn't much by way of character development and so on, so older readers might start to find themselves a little bored. I think I'll give it a good long break before I read another one, since they are charming and fun -- just very definitely aimed at kids.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed hearing more about the Romans and Bogburglers. Kamikaze is really spunky and fun. I also really enjoyed Zigurastica and the nano-dragons.

[Ken W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the first two but still excellent! 4.25 stars rounded down to four! Fun series, amazing narration!

[[ J o ] · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's only been about a week since I read this, but I cannot remember much of it. I have tried reading four books of the How to Train Your Dragon series, but sadly we are not compatible. I prefer my fiction to be even vaguely historically accurate: you may think that defeats the point of it being fiction but I disagree rather strongly.

The books are relatively harmless, I suppose, though the genders stereotypes are rather a bore until Kamakaze turns up. She should have far more page time than any of the stupid Vikings. I think the fact that Vikings never wore horny helmets is getting to me more than it should.

There is attempted humour but I find it incredibly lacking. There are funnier children's books out there that have more charm than this, more adventure and better characters in general. Also, is anyone just utterly disappointed with Toothless and find him annoying to the point of wanting the wee little shite to just die? Just me?

[Chester Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como ya dije, continuamos viendo el proceso de Hipo de niño enclenque sin nada especial hacia su futuro como un héroe vikingo. Narrado por el Hipo del presente, pero como si fuera en tercera persona, ahora nos cuenta de cómo parte del entrenamiento era secuestrar una embarcación, pero en el proceso y después de casi hundirse en su desvencijado barquito, Hipo y su mejor amigo Petapez abordan por error un barco Romano (los cuales son los peores enemigos de los vikingos) y éstos terminan secuestrando a Desdentado, el diminuto Dragón de Hipo.

Así que la aventura será salvar a Desdentado, y en el proceso conocen a Camicazi, una Cagacaco que opina que un buen gamberro es un gamberro muerto. Y juntos se enteran que el plan de los Romanos es poner a los gamberros en contra de los cagacacos para así crear una guerra y se destruyan entre ambos. Así que se unen para salir del encierro y salvar a sus tribus de una confusión que podría ser mortal.

El libro me gustó muchísimo más que el anterior, como que sucedieron cosas que me interesaron más, y me gusta mucho la forma en la que escribe la autora, ya que es directa, graciosa y bastante sarcástica. Así que hasta como adulto se disfruta mucho leyendo éstos libros. Además de que tienen unas ilustraciones toscas e infantiles que le dan un toque perfecto tanto a la edición del libro como a la historia.

Éste es ya el último libro que tengo de la saga, pero en realidad son muchísimos, no terminé de contar cuántos, pero realmente son muchísimos. Así que si sus hijos o hermanitos se deciden por adentrarse en el mundo de los vikingos gamberros, de dragones y de héroes poco convencionales, tendrán historia para el rato. Y yo la recomiendo muchísimo.

La reseña ésta vez será un poco más corta de lo normal, porque es la tercera reseña que hago sobre la saga, y siento que sería muy repetitivo contarles sobre los personajes o del estilo del libro. Y pues de la historia, nunca me ha gustado revelar demasiados detalles que arruinen la sorpresa de leerlo para ustedes. Así que espero que con ésta corta reseña mi idea sobre el libro haya sido clara y que lo recomiendo muchísimo.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, if Hiccup had been a traditional Hooligan hero, he would have drawn his sword, Endeavour, and launched himself over the side to the aid of his friend, shouting the Hooligan war cry at the top of his voice. But then, if Hiccup had been a traditional Hooligan hero, he would have been dead as a kipper several books ago. A noble kipper, perhaps, a gloriously brave kipper, but nonetheless, a very, very dead kipper.

RE-READ 2018: I've read this entire series in physical books over the past two years, and while I do love the illustrations with all my heart, I wanted to hear David Tennant's take on it. And it was absolutely fantastic. And honestly, I've wanted to re-read the whole series since I finished it. So I'm totally listening to the whole thing on audiobook now.

My favorite thing about this series, and about this book in particular, is the characters. Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Camicazi, to be exact. Say hello to the start of one of the best fictional friendships ever. I LOVE MY KIDS. Hiccup is a nerd, and Fishlegs is my spirit animal, and Camicazi is the bravest little girl I've ever seen. I just love them so much, okay. *flops over*

Anyway... yeah, I need to re-read the next one STAT.

4 stars from the first read, 4.5 for the audiobook.

[Zaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good volume, light in adventure but full of hungry Romans and dangerous dragons. And there's finally a girl!

Hiccup continues his training and, as usual, everything doesn't go well. While trying to board an harmless ship with Fishlegs and their two useless dragons, they end in front of a small Roman army.

The previous volume was disappointing, so I was pleased to enjoy this one a lot more. A few things happened but as usual Hiccup had some smart ideas, helping to save the day. There were several new species of dragons in the spotlight, which was nice and, more entertaining, there was a girl (a nasty little strong one!). I liked how Hiccup used his language skills, the humor when someone else tried to speak dragonese (without success), the evolution of the relationship between the boy and his father and the nice change of scenery with the Romans (a romanced one of course).

[Yasamin Seifaei · Rating 3 out of 5]

actual rating: 2.5

EN:
it was a fun read, but it wasn't something special :/
i liked the 2nd better
and this is the last book that i've read in this series.

FA:
خبببب. کتاب فانی بود. ولی چیز خاصی نداشت این قسمت. نا امید شدم اصن :/
کتاب دوم رو بیشتر دوست داشتم
و این آخرین کتابیه که از این مجموعه میخونم. دیگه ادامه ش نمیدم

[Claire Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series will go down as one of our family's favourites. Santa brought this book for my son for Christmas this year and it is the ONLY bedtime story I have been allowed to read to him. Heading to the library this week to pick up the fourth book!

[Anne (ReadEatGameRepeat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read - I was worried the books would become very repetitive but I really like the new characters & Character dynamics being introduced.

[Hamish Critchley]

And

[Marnie (Enchanted Bibliophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

However small we are, we should always fight for what we believe to be right.



The Plot is a bit predictable by now. Fishlegs and Hiccup gets into trouble and by some crazy plan gets out of it again.
But Cressida keeps throwing new characters and dragons at us; more than making up for plot predictability.

[Hanieh Sadat Shobeiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"این داستان پایان خوش ندارد؛ که به زبان اژدهایی یعنی: این داستان ادامه دارد..."

[Rezza Dwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makin suka sama sama seri ini. Makin sayang sama Hiccup. Perkembangan karakternya makin kerasa. Pesannya bagusss banget. Dan menghibur! Banyak ketawanya 😂😂

[Caleb Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this is one of the most exciting books in the series, and also one of the most intense, with heart pounding action. I like the plot and the sense of humor added into the story too. But before reading this I suggest reading the first and second book (this one is more necessary to read before reading the third) or parts of the story may be hard to understand if the first couple are not read.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting more from these books. I was expecting Harry Potter or Percy Jackson caliber.

I had watched the movies first and I'm sorry to say, at least so far, I think the movies are much better. I'm going to continue with the series though, so maybe this opinion will change.

[Kenya | Reviews May Vary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third installment from Hiccup. If I ever have a pet dragon, I hope that he is less like a cat than toothless!

Also, I really like Hiccup's dad. He always comes around!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

the epilogues always make me cry:,(

[Jaiden Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5! This has to be my favorite in the series so farrrr!! I really enjoyed this oneeee!!💖💖🤩

Language: One or two uses of 'he' double hockey stick used as in referring to down-under.

Violence: Not really.

Magic: N/A

(Other: You get it by this time that these books are about Vikings and mentions of Thor, Woden and a few other gods are going to be in these books. It's not as if they're real, it's just part of the cultural aspect)

This one was sooooo funnnn! I really love it!💖 the Romans were a funny addition and I liked the setting of Fort Sinister! Camicazi was such a nice addition to the gang as well! I really love her character, she's basically Astrid and Ruffnht I they were one person and I love it...lol... She makes me laugh and her and Hiccup's interactions and arguments are so funny!😂 Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Camicazi make such an odd and fun trio, I hope to see more of them together!💖🤩
And as always Toothless is the best! How he's always like "You got this, Hiccup." But doesn't offer to help and how he's always complaining...lol...Yet he really does love Hiccup and I loved that we got to see that a little more in this book that Hiccup and Toothless argue a lot but they do love each other and would do anything for each other!!💖 *chefs kiss*
And Ziigerastica was soooo hilarious!!😂😂 I loved the lil guy, his insults were priceless...lol!😂
Overall this was a great addition to the series! Def my favorite so far!💖👌 The only thing I didn't really like is that Camicazi's mom's name is Big-Boobied Bertha, I just don't really like that, but its not a big deal. Still an amazing, thrilling, adventure with plenty of action and horrible and hilarious plans that keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what the gang will do next!💖

8+

[Michelle Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

These audiobooks are a little fun-sized bag of book candy for me. They are far from world-changing literature, but they are witty and cute and only take about 3 hours to listen to, and they further deepen my lifelong desire to have a pet dragon, and I enjoy the heck outta them. And this wouldn't be one of my reviews of a book in this series without a little gush about the narrator: while these stories have plenty of charm on their own merit, David Tennant brings so much to the books with his narration that I'm not sure I'd be having the same amount of fun if I was reading the print books. Part of me WANTS to go back and read the print books so I can enjoy the illustrations, but I would want the audiobook along for the ride. It won't feel like the same story without David Tennant!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

"However small we are, we should always fight for what we believe to be right. And I don't mean fight with the power of our fists or the power of our swords. That has always been the problem with us Vikings. I mean the power of our brains and our thoughts and our dreams."

This book has a really good message, and the other ones have had the same. Hiccup lives in a world where you can only gain respect by being strong and uber masculine, but his other qualities are what saves him and the others constantly. I like the way this book shows this message, and how the Vikings slowly understand and listen to Hiccup. I also love how his relationship with Toothless has developed through these first few books. It felt really natural and heartwarming.

[Ana Lelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a fun reading. Especially because while I was reading the book I was listening the audiobook with David Tennant's(Killgrave/Doctor Who) voice! He is an incredible actor and I loved the way he changed his voices with so many characters, it was the perfect sound for his story! I recommend for you to listen this story through his voice.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made the scurrilous comment that the first of these was for overly young children - however, they have entertained me and I am still reading them! I particularly like Toothless and Stoick the Vast :)

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Not much more that I can say! I think if I was reading them rather than listening to David Tennant narrate them, they'd be far less enjoyable. He's just awesome.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, they’re getting better!

[Emma Ann]

Rereading continues.