What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Train Your Dragon #8
How to Break a Dragon's Heart
THE STORY CONTINUES in the eighth volume of Hiccup's How to Train Your Dragon memoirs...Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was an awesome sword-fighter, a dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking Hero who ever lived. But it wasn't always like that. Hiccup's memoirs look back to when Hiccup was just an ordinary boy, and finding it very hard to be a Hero. Hiccup must battle Berserks, dodge Scarers, complete the Impossible Task and save Fishlegs from being fed to the Beast! And all while being hunted down by an old enemy with a dark secret about the Lost Throne. What's a Hero to do?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2009
307 people are currently reading
5533 people want to read
About the author
Cressida Cowell
209 books2,448 followersCressida 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)
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)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 539 reviews
February 11, 2012
Prophecies. Selfish dragons. Human sacrifice. Tree dungeons. Wooden noses. Dragons with half-broken hearts. Aspiring poets. Witches. Ghosts. Youthful optimism. Lobster pots.
After reading this book over the course of a few hours (a simple task, it being a children's book), these are some of the memories that stand out. How to Break a Dragon's Heart was a satisfying addition to the series, and fabulously redirects the entire trajectory of the plot.
It was the epilogue, however, that shattered me somehow. I was not expecting this type of book to make me cry. It is the conclusion to the story, of course, and is meant to be from the perspective of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, written when he is a very old man. Forgive me for writing the entire epilogue here, even the parts that won't make sense to those of you who haven't read the How to Train Your Dragon series (read: all of you), but I just couldn't bring myself to cut anything out.
It's a lament. It's looking back and seeing the self of your youth with longing and sadness, because something in you has changed and you can never get it back. I'm not even a real adult yet, and it struck something in me. I hope any of you reading this review will consider checking out the series, because it truly is worth your while. I hope this epilogue proves me right in your eyes.
And here it is.
Was it really sixty-five years ago that I discovered my destiny in the darkness of Berserk?
It is another world, a vanished world, the dragons, the witches, the storms, the sword fights, and the shipwrecks of my childhood.
The boy I was is so far away to me now.
Sometimes I dream that same dream, though, the one that haunted me long ago, of the ghost lady, and the ship, and the boy on his dragon. The ghost, of course, is the ghost of Hiccup the Second's mother, Chinhilda, and she haunts the Bay of the Broken Heart, calling out for the baby who was taken from her by her own husband.
That same dream still shakes my old body awake sixty-five years later in a fever of shivers and trembling in the dark watches of the night.
But the dream has slightly changed.
When I dream that dream now, I am the ghost lady, calling out to my lost child.
"Hiccup!" I cry longingly. "Hiccup! Come back to me, Hiccup..."
And I hold out my arms.
But the boy on the dragon is disappearing into the clouds, fading into the airy glory of the next world, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop that from happening.
The boy turns his head.
I cannot see his face at this distance, but he is heartbreakingly young.
I hear his voice, very, very faintly.
"Don't worry!" he calls. "I will come back, I promise..."
And here he is.
After reading this book over the course of a few hours (a simple task, it being a children's book), these are some of the memories that stand out. How to Break a Dragon's Heart was a satisfying addition to the series, and fabulously redirects the entire trajectory of the plot.
It was the epilogue, however, that shattered me somehow. I was not expecting this type of book to make me cry. It is the conclusion to the story, of course, and is meant to be from the perspective of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, written when he is a very old man. Forgive me for writing the entire epilogue here, even the parts that won't make sense to those of you who haven't read the How to Train Your Dragon series (read: all of you), but I just couldn't bring myself to cut anything out.
It's a lament. It's looking back and seeing the self of your youth with longing and sadness, because something in you has changed and you can never get it back. I'm not even a real adult yet, and it struck something in me. I hope any of you reading this review will consider checking out the series, because it truly is worth your while. I hope this epilogue proves me right in your eyes.
And here it is.
Was it really sixty-five years ago that I discovered my destiny in the darkness of Berserk?
It is another world, a vanished world, the dragons, the witches, the storms, the sword fights, and the shipwrecks of my childhood.
The boy I was is so far away to me now.
Sometimes I dream that same dream, though, the one that haunted me long ago, of the ghost lady, and the ship, and the boy on his dragon. The ghost, of course, is the ghost of Hiccup the Second's mother, Chinhilda, and she haunts the Bay of the Broken Heart, calling out for the baby who was taken from her by her own husband.
That same dream still shakes my old body awake sixty-five years later in a fever of shivers and trembling in the dark watches of the night.
But the dream has slightly changed.
When I dream that dream now, I am the ghost lady, calling out to my lost child.
"Hiccup!" I cry longingly. "Hiccup! Come back to me, Hiccup..."
And I hold out my arms.
But the boy on the dragon is disappearing into the clouds, fading into the airy glory of the next world, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop that from happening.
The boy turns his head.
I cannot see his face at this distance, but he is heartbreakingly young.
I hear his voice, very, very faintly.
"Don't worry!" he calls. "I will come back, I promise..."
And here he is.
November 9, 2020
If I had one complaint about this book its that 8 books in and the characters are still 13 rather than starting to age up with the story as it becomes somewhat darker in tone. Still humorous and a fun adventure, I think this one is my favorite book in the series so far. David Tennant continues to be an amazing narrator.
July 8, 2016
The Hairy Hooligans’ National Anthem:
I don’t know why but it sounds so good to me that I want to sing it. Fishlegs sings this song in front of the whole tribe of BERSERKS and the question of his identity suddenly becomes clear to him. I was a little bummed out that his real parentage still wasn’t revealed but the mystery of where he came from was one of the things that added a layer of depth and intrigue into this otherwise been-there-done-that plot.
---Eight books in and Hiccup is still thirteen. Hardly a year has passed since his first adventure in How To Train Your Dragon. This is seriously annoying. I WANT him to grow up, not suddenly in the last book.
---I was surprised to see Humungously Hotshot the Hero return and get married! Too bad that Valhallarama still loved him till she died.
“I didn’t mean to come here,
And I didn’t mean to stay,
It’s just where the sea wind blew me,
One accidental day”
I don’t know why but it sounds so good to me that I want to sing it. Fishlegs sings this song in front of the whole tribe of BERSERKS and the question of his identity suddenly becomes clear to him. I was a little bummed out that his real parentage still wasn’t revealed but the mystery of where he came from was one of the things that added a layer of depth and intrigue into this otherwise been-there-done-that plot.
The other thing was the extremely cool family background information of Hiccup. His entire family tree, his connection to Hiccup Horrendous Haddock II and a chilling confrontation with an ancient Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus that hinted at what was to come and was often alluded to in Hiccup’s epilogues; that sometime in the future, dragons and humans will part ways forever and all the adventures Vikings had with them will fade into myth and legend.
---Eight books in and Hiccup is still thirteen. Hardly a year has passed since his first adventure in How To Train Your Dragon. This is seriously annoying. I WANT him to grow up, not suddenly in the last book.
---Alvin the Treacherous refuses to die. He shows up looking more and more like a zombie, losing limbs and stuff, every time. The guy just won’t kick the bucket. His presence as a constant villain would have been bothersome if not for the fact that each book has a new tribe and thus a new baddie in store for Hiccup and Co. This time it was UG the Uglithug, the chief of BERSERK and a witch who was actually Alvin’s mother.
---I was surprised to see Humungously Hotshot the Hero return and get married! Too bad that Valhallarama still loved him till she died.
How To Break A Dragon’s Heart offered more fun, excitement and detail apart from the usual LOL stuff.
March 19, 2014
First read: November 28 2011
Second read: March 19 2014
I freaking love the 'How To Train Your Dragon' series. It's campy, it's cheesy, it's utterly implausible, and it's hilarious with a capital H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. And yet, it has the unique capability to be thought-provoking and touching at times.
'How To Break A Dragon's Heart' is no different - unless it's even better than the rest. The premise by now is familiar - something happens, Hiccup and Toothless save the day against all odds, Hiccup learns a little tidbit maybe - but everything that happened... I'm amazed at the tapestry of interconnected plotlines that Cowell has weaved into everything. Things you'd never think of expanding suddenly have reasons and motives and backstories. And 'How To Break A Dragon's Heart' has turned the series into a whole new direction. I don't want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that I CANNOT WAIT until the next book(s) come out.
(And, for hardcore fans, Hiccup's epilogues are only getting better. I swear I was about to cry during this one. And I don't cry at ANYthing.)
It's still a mystery to me how something as seemingly random and sixth-grade-boy-humorish can be so endearing and so addictive and so GOOD, but Cressida Cowell has hit the formula. Hiccup and Toothless forever.
Second read: March 19 2014
I freaking love the 'How To Train Your Dragon' series. It's campy, it's cheesy, it's utterly implausible, and it's hilarious with a capital H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. And yet, it has the unique capability to be thought-provoking and touching at times.
'How To Break A Dragon's Heart' is no different - unless it's even better than the rest. The premise by now is familiar - something happens, Hiccup and Toothless save the day against all odds, Hiccup learns a little tidbit maybe - but everything that happened... I'm amazed at the tapestry of interconnected plotlines that Cowell has weaved into everything. Things you'd never think of expanding suddenly have reasons and motives and backstories. And 'How To Break A Dragon's Heart' has turned the series into a whole new direction. I don't want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that I CANNOT WAIT until the next book(s) come out.
(And, for hardcore fans, Hiccup's epilogues are only getting better. I swear I was about to cry during this one. And I don't cry at ANYthing.)
It's still a mystery to me how something as seemingly random and sixth-grade-boy-humorish can be so endearing and so addictive and so GOOD, but Cressida Cowell has hit the formula. Hiccup and Toothless forever.
September 6, 2025
re-read 2025:
this is easily one of my favorite installments of the series and I just love it so much ;-;
re-read 2019:
Hiccup is one of the best middle-grade main characters and that is a fact. Also Stoick really loves his son a lot. Also Camicazi is my fave. Also the friendship in this series is amazing. That's all.
this is easily one of my favorite installments of the series and I just love it so much ;-;
re-read 2019:
Hiccup is one of the best middle-grade main characters and that is a fact. Also Stoick really loves his son a lot. Also Camicazi is my fave. Also the friendship in this series is amazing. That's all.
November 24, 2021
This was such a fun read - also love that now we are really getting more of an overarching story - like starting the first few books I was unsure where it was going but now I can kinda see what's happening and although obvi I don't know the deets I can sort of guess more or less what is happening? (not in a bad way) - excited to keep reading, I love that the books are getting longer and longer.
July 10, 2021
A dark forest. A rescue. A prophecy. A broken-hearted dragon. A couple in love.
And lots of fun and adventure.
This one rounded up many of the past stories and explained the origin of Hiccup and his ancestors. This fun series for the younger ones keeps getting better and better.
And lots of fun and adventure.
This one rounded up many of the past stories and explained the origin of Hiccup and his ancestors. This fun series for the younger ones keeps getting better and better.
June 25, 2019
*listened to audiobook*
Can you believe it, but this book actually has some sad parts ;/
Also this serried is getting AMAZING and I’m going to go and buy the books for my brothers.
The finances were hilarious and the mystery is amping up ;)
Can you believe it, but this book actually has some sad parts ;/
Also this serried is getting AMAZING and I’m going to go and buy the books for my brothers.
The finances were hilarious and the mystery is amping up ;)
Read
June 3, 2023This might be my favorite of all the Hiccup books. I have the UK edition, because back when I was 10 and obsessed, the American one hadn’t even been released yet.
April 30, 2024
Least favorite of the series so far, I liked some parts other parts were meh. I also kind of read a large hunk of it too fast and got kind of confused during the Hiccup the Second story and the wich scene, so this might just be me being confuzzled, bear with me....lol...
Language: Couple of uses of 'He' double hockey stick as in referring to down-under.
Violence: Fight scenes, a few mentions of blood, but nothing gory or detailed. (It does mention that the Beserks do human sacrifices, but we never see any of those.)
Magic: This is where the lines get blurred for me. There was a 'wich' but she didn't do anything and was more of described as being a herbalist. And in a story/history thing it was said that Grimbeard had 'cursed' the Throne of the Wilderwest, but we don't see it happen, only told that he did, I'm also not really sure if it was figurative or not, like did he 'curse' it or did his actions like curse it, like not actually magic just like a metaphor? I woukd have liked more clarity, is the author bringing in magic or not?🤷♀️ I guess I'll see, hoping it doesn't go anything beyond Narnia/LotR type magic if it does go down that road tho.
(It also mentions ghosts, but there doesn't end up being any real ghosts, just a metaphor for ghosts of the past.)
(Other: Mentions of the Viking gods, also quite a few mentions of Fate.)
Well, like I said, I liked some parts, other parts didn't really click with me. I liked Fishleg's side of the story and the parts with all the fiancés, they had me cracking up!😂 "Youbecha!" "Yessiree!"...lol!😂 The found family trope was nice, I really liked that bit! And it's not where your from that matters, it's where you feel like you belong that's home!💖🥰 So true!
I was sad that Toothless and Cami weren't in it as much, but when they were, they were great!!! The jungle setting was fun too!
Though the story about Hiccup the Second was confusing to me (I really should have read that part slower), the whole Throne of the Wilderwest is very intriguing and I'm interested to see where the author takes the plot from here, and how Hiccup is going to deal with all this.
The wich gave me the creeps (even tho she never used magic or anything), still, wierd old lady *shudders* She's supposed to be creepy, but still.🥴
Anyway besides a few bumps, I enjoyed the story! (I would have probably enjoyed it more if I wasn't worrying about the wich doing anything weird at any moment, it never happened😅) But still enjoyable, Fishlegs's story and the fiancés made this book, and you can't change my mind💖🙃
10+
Language: Couple of uses of 'He' double hockey stick as in referring to down-under.
Violence: Fight scenes, a few mentions of blood, but nothing gory or detailed. (It does mention that the Beserks do human sacrifices, but we never see any of those.)
Magic: This is where the lines get blurred for me. There was a 'wich' but she didn't do anything and was more of described as being a herbalist. And in a story/history thing it was said that Grimbeard had 'cursed' the Throne of the Wilderwest, but we don't see it happen, only told that he did, I'm also not really sure if it was figurative or not, like did he 'curse' it or did his actions like curse it, like not actually magic just like a metaphor? I woukd have liked more clarity, is the author bringing in magic or not?🤷♀️ I guess I'll see, hoping it doesn't go anything beyond Narnia/LotR type magic if it does go down that road tho.
(It also mentions ghosts, but there doesn't end up being any real ghosts, just a metaphor for ghosts of the past.)
(Other: Mentions of the Viking gods, also quite a few mentions of Fate.)
Well, like I said, I liked some parts, other parts didn't really click with me. I liked Fishleg's side of the story and the parts with all the fiancés, they had me cracking up!😂 "Youbecha!" "Yessiree!"...lol!😂 The found family trope was nice, I really liked that bit! And it's not where your from that matters, it's where you feel like you belong that's home!💖🥰 So true!
I was sad that Toothless and Cami weren't in it as much, but when they were, they were great!!! The jungle setting was fun too!
Though the story about Hiccup the Second was confusing to me (I really should have read that part slower), the whole Throne of the Wilderwest is very intriguing and I'm interested to see where the author takes the plot from here, and how Hiccup is going to deal with all this.
The wich gave me the creeps (even tho she never used magic or anything), still, wierd old lady *shudders* She's supposed to be creepy, but still.🥴
Anyway besides a few bumps, I enjoyed the story! (I would have probably enjoyed it more if I wasn't worrying about the wich doing anything weird at any moment, it never happened😅) But still enjoyable, Fishlegs's story and the fiancés made this book, and you can't change my mind💖🙃
10+
May 15, 2013
I was admittedly surprised to find myself liking this book as much as I did, especially in lieu of it being mostly devoid of the wit and hilarity of Camicazi, but I'm apparently a fan of:
a) ghost stories told by cantankerous witches imprisoned in large tree trunks;
b) stories featuring unexpected cameos by Humongously Hotshot The Hero;
c) Fishlegs going berserk;
d) whenever Camicazi gets to fight...anyone;
e) Cowell relinquishing the need to wrap everything up neatly with a peaceful bow;
F) ALL OF THE ABOVE.
(Three stars for being the brain break in between bigger books I needed.)
a) ghost stories told by cantankerous witches imprisoned in large tree trunks;
b) stories featuring unexpected cameos by Humongously Hotshot The Hero;
c) Fishlegs going berserk;
d) whenever Camicazi gets to fight...anyone;
e) Cowell relinquishing the need to wrap everything up neatly with a peaceful bow;
F) ALL OF THE ABOVE.
(Three stars for being the brain break in between bigger books I needed.)
October 3, 2012
If you do not think Dragon's are real...think again these books make Dragon's come to life. How to Break a Dragon's heart was so cool in so many ways. the protageness was my favorite chaecter his name is Hiccup, hiccup is a dragon whisper and a great sword fighter.
I have a connection with the auther her name Cressida Cowell she likes dragons like i do.
join hiccup and his dragon Toothless on a Jorney to save his friend from being fed to the beast!
I have a connection with the auther her name Cressida Cowell she likes dragons like i do.
join hiccup and his dragon Toothless on a Jorney to save his friend from being fed to the beast!
June 20, 2017
What I liked about this book was there was a lot stories within the actual plot line and they all bled into each other and created a really unique and interesting story. I enjoyed the way some of the stories were told as they were kind of different and set them apart from the others. The last few chapters got me really looking forward to the stories in the next books and I can't wait to read them!
April 17, 2023
This one was really good. I'm really enjoying how a lot of the elements from previous books are coming together
July 18, 2025
“The dragon’s heart had been broken long, long ago in a tragedy too terrible for Hiccup to comprehend. A tragedy like that had ghastly consequences. Ghosts were launched who haunted beaches in the Archipelago to this very day… Hearts like this dragon’s heart hardened and twisted into dark and hungry forests. But Hiccup was young and optimistic. Human hearts could break and heal and beat again… Maybe dragon hearts were the same.”
ok. i feel like basically every review i write of the HTTYD books is like THIS IS IT GUYS. THIS IS THE ONE. but when i say THIS is the one i mean it very deeply. this is the turning point for the series. here, hiccup’s destiny becomes unavoidable; here, the scale goes from individual vikings or even tribes to nearly worldwide. this book is a masterful weaving-together of so many of the prior books’ plot points and the start of the most meaningful part of the series, and it handles the tone shift with gravity. the air of darkness around this one is unmistakeable — even the main plot takes place almost solely at night. when the sun rises again in the archipelago, hiccup’s whole life will be different. it’s awesome.
specific to this book — furious is incredible. the way excellinor’s story is written is incredible. furious calling hiccup “boy-with-a-name-i-once-loved” makes me deeply emotional. that’s all i suppose. this book is really good
ok. i feel like basically every review i write of the HTTYD books is like THIS IS IT GUYS. THIS IS THE ONE. but when i say THIS is the one i mean it very deeply. this is the turning point for the series. here, hiccup’s destiny becomes unavoidable; here, the scale goes from individual vikings or even tribes to nearly worldwide. this book is a masterful weaving-together of so many of the prior books’ plot points and the start of the most meaningful part of the series, and it handles the tone shift with gravity. the air of darkness around this one is unmistakeable — even the main plot takes place almost solely at night. when the sun rises again in the archipelago, hiccup’s whole life will be different. it’s awesome.
specific to this book — furious is incredible. the way excellinor’s story is written is incredible. furious calling hiccup “boy-with-a-name-i-once-loved” makes me deeply emotional. that’s all i suppose. this book is really good
July 28, 2025
3.5 stars.
This one had a slower start, so it wasn’t my favorite.
It picked up toward the end!
But it also made me so sad and stressed out!! I was so excited to see Furious, and my heart broke for him after seeing the Second dying. I wish his heart didn’t harden but I do get it!
It made me so sad when he said Hiccup would be their demise. He said some of his best friend’s are dragons he would never!! I’m honestly so scared to see where it goes!
The epilogue got me so emotional!!!!
I also felt so bad for Fishlegs. I was so hoping the Besersks would accept him as one of their own! But it just comes back to Hiccup is his family and that is all that matters!
This one had a slower start, so it wasn’t my favorite.
It picked up toward the end!
But it also made me so sad and stressed out!! I was so excited to see Furious, and my heart broke for him after seeing the Second dying. I wish his heart didn’t harden but I do get it!
It made me so sad when he said Hiccup would be their demise. He said some of his best friend’s are dragons he would never!! I’m honestly so scared to see where it goes!
The epilogue got me so emotional!!!!
I also felt so bad for Fishlegs. I was so hoping the Besersks would accept him as one of their own! But it just comes back to Hiccup is his family and that is all that matters!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2019
Things seem to be getting much much worse in these books. But I love the build up all the same. Will things always be this chaotic in the world of Hiccups? Well, me and my children hope to find out.
January 31, 2021
legit so much of my writing comes from this book. also start of the main storyline
July 16, 2025
very exposition heavy, but also necessary to do so.
January 4, 2019
Funny and chock-full of action
March 2, 2017
I was just sort of thinking that this series should be running out of interest by now - 8 or 9 books read and just for children. Then I read this one and it was the best of them all! So....once Cressida Colell palls, I will let you know but, for now, she's as good as ever!
March 4, 2025
Book 7 was the end of the beginning. Book 8 is the beginning of the end.
Up until now, it has been only happy, funny, little adventures for the characters. This is the last one of those. From now on, the stakes will only grow and the plots will become stronger!
Book 8 is filled with small reminders of the past and hints to the future. It still maintains the fun and happy characters, but they are growing up now.
I've read the book so many times it's starting to fall apart!😭😭 In the middle I can see the spine and the pages are just barely hanging on!😭
Up until now, it has been only happy, funny, little adventures for the characters. This is the last one of those. From now on, the stakes will only grow and the plots will become stronger!
Book 8 is filled with small reminders of the past and hints to the future. It still maintains the fun and happy characters, but they are growing up now.
I've read the book so many times it's starting to fall apart!😭😭 In the middle I can see the spine and the pages are just barely hanging on!😭
February 19, 2014
HOW TO BREAK A RUNA'S HEART, MORE LIKE.
December 9, 2018
Really good fun. Impressive to watch Cowell develop her young hero and come up with great backstory. I admit, I was surprised at several turns!
August 18, 2019
This was such a great read!
September 15, 2019
Read- September 2019
- I can't believe how close I am to the end of this series. I truly adore all of the books and I'm going to be devastated when It's all over.
- I can't believe how close I am to the end of this series. I truly adore all of the books and I'm going to be devastated when It's all over.
May 2, 2018
The series starting from book seven got more interesting, it's building up to more complicated events and hardships that the whole archipelago is facing, and a huge weight that is thrown on Hiccup's shoulder.
(Ok spoiler alert)
There are some memorable events and elements in this book, like the key that opens all locks that were found in Toothless's tummy, and the stupid fiances that all wish to die for the sake of the pretty daughter of the Uglithugs tribe leader instead of fighting for their freedom and fighting like heroes, they are really naive and stupid, really.
The successes and failures of Hiccup are what makes the journey longer and more complicated and more exciting, and that is what you expect from a clever yet still young lad, as when he forgot to lock the prison's door on the witch, that's a hard lesson to learn for sure.
The story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the second was very enjoyable and carried a lot of depth.
The only disappointing thing for me, because I'm a big fan of the animated series that was aired on Netflix for about 6 seasons, is that I expected a different berserkers island, in the animated series they are a pride tribe who is somewhat crazy but not extremely crazy like in the book. I find the insanity of berserkers is very extreme in the book like when they have to chain themselves from their insanity, it is kind of disturbing.
All in all, the book is good and exciting.
(Ok spoiler alert)
There are some memorable events and elements in this book, like the key that opens all locks that were found in Toothless's tummy, and the stupid fiances that all wish to die for the sake of the pretty daughter of the Uglithugs tribe leader instead of fighting for their freedom and fighting like heroes, they are really naive and stupid, really.
The successes and failures of Hiccup are what makes the journey longer and more complicated and more exciting, and that is what you expect from a clever yet still young lad, as when he forgot to lock the prison's door on the witch, that's a hard lesson to learn for sure.
The story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the second was very enjoyable and carried a lot of depth.
The only disappointing thing for me, because I'm a big fan of the animated series that was aired on Netflix for about 6 seasons, is that I expected a different berserkers island, in the animated series they are a pride tribe who is somewhat crazy but not extremely crazy like in the book. I find the insanity of berserkers is very extreme in the book like when they have to chain themselves from their insanity, it is kind of disturbing.
All in all, the book is good and exciting.
December 7, 2019
"Ghosts were launched who haunted the beaches in the Archipelago to this very day...Hearts like this dragon's heart hardened, and twisted into dark and hungry forests.
But Hiccup was young and optimistic.
Human hearts could break and heal and beat again...Maybe dragon hearts were the same."
Favorite Dragon book so far! This one had all the best elements - a bit eerie, a bit funny, a bit serious, and most of all, thought-provoking. You're starting to see where the series is going, the tension that is being built up, and the tough choices that Hiccup is going to have to make soon. So good! <3 And can I just say that Cowell's writing gets better with each book? I just love some of her quotes and poems that she scatters throughout. Beautiful writing!
But Hiccup was young and optimistic.
Human hearts could break and heal and beat again...Maybe dragon hearts were the same."
Favorite Dragon book so far! This one had all the best elements - a bit eerie, a bit funny, a bit serious, and most of all, thought-provoking. You're starting to see where the series is going, the tension that is being built up, and the tough choices that Hiccup is going to have to make soon. So good! <3 And can I just say that Cowell's writing gets better with each book? I just love some of her quotes and poems that she scatters throughout. Beautiful writing!
December 1, 2023
This was a fantastic book as usual, but it was the epilogue that really made me feel the substance of this story. Hiccup is now an old man (in the epilogue) and reflecting back on these events that took place 65 years ago. It's a way of reminding us that he does eventually survive all of these events, but as he is hinting, at what cost? I love Hiccup's heart and I love how good a friend he is to Fishlegs and Camicazi and vice versa.
This was a fabulous book that took it to the next level with respect to Fishlegs finding out who he is without finding out who he was, as well as much more about Hiccup's history. I was hoping we would get a bit more of Camicazi in this one than we did, though. We also get to meet Alvin's mother, who I think is much scarier than Alvin, as horrible as he is. We learn about the dragons in the past and how Grimbeard the Ghastly betrayed them and while Hiccup tries to make up for it, we know this kicks off the dragon rebellion arc in the final third of the series. Looking forward to it!
This was a fabulous book that took it to the next level with respect to Fishlegs finding out who he is without finding out who he was, as well as much more about Hiccup's history. I was hoping we would get a bit more of Camicazi in this one than we did, though. We also get to meet Alvin's mother, who I think is much scarier than Alvin, as horrible as he is. We learn about the dragons in the past and how Grimbeard the Ghastly betrayed them and while Hiccup tries to make up for it, we know this kicks off the dragon rebellion arc in the final third of the series. Looking forward to it!
January 23, 2024
I record myself reading these books out loud and send them to my son in nightly instalments of 2 chapters, like a personal audiobook.
It’s rare that I find a series that I also enjoy, (Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree series almost drove me to a mental breakdown, but he loved it, so I suffered through all four back to back), HTTYD is in that rare minority that I also enjoy reading.
I had difficulty finding book recommendations for ‘adults to read to children’ based on the child’s age, if you search ‘books suitable for a 6 year old’, you’ll be presented with a list of books for 6 year olds to read independently - which don’t really make for good story-time readings. For a while we struggled between slightly too young (Pocket Pirates) and a little too advanced (Harley Hitch) before landing on the HTTYD series, which he’s been enjoying from age 5 to 6. (If anyone has any recommendations, let me know.)
I’d seen the movies prior to reading the first book, so the differences put me off a little to begin with, especially between the literary and adaptation version of Toothless - however this a series which, in my opinion, only gets better as it progresses.
This instalment was one of our favourites so far, and it’s great to see some of the side characters being developed further (namely Fishlegs & Alvin).
I live in Scotland and it’s easy to see, in her descriptions of Berk and the barbarian archipelago, the inspiration Cressida Cowell took from her childhood stays on Little Colonsay - I love the way she writes about landscapes dominated by heather and bracken, craggy hills, deep woods and horrific weather.
In reading out loud, I give each character a different accent, and my only criticism of this instalment was the amount of dialogue given to a wide range of minor characters. Admittedly this is a problem entirely of my own making - but keeping track of the accents attributed to Tantrum’s 11 fiancés was an absolute nightmare.
Otherwise a solid instalment in this great series.
It’s rare that I find a series that I also enjoy, (Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree series almost drove me to a mental breakdown, but he loved it, so I suffered through all four back to back), HTTYD is in that rare minority that I also enjoy reading.
I had difficulty finding book recommendations for ‘adults to read to children’ based on the child’s age, if you search ‘books suitable for a 6 year old’, you’ll be presented with a list of books for 6 year olds to read independently - which don’t really make for good story-time readings. For a while we struggled between slightly too young (Pocket Pirates) and a little too advanced (Harley Hitch) before landing on the HTTYD series, which he’s been enjoying from age 5 to 6. (If anyone has any recommendations, let me know.)
I’d seen the movies prior to reading the first book, so the differences put me off a little to begin with, especially between the literary and adaptation version of Toothless - however this a series which, in my opinion, only gets better as it progresses.
This instalment was one of our favourites so far, and it’s great to see some of the side characters being developed further (namely Fishlegs & Alvin).
I live in Scotland and it’s easy to see, in her descriptions of Berk and the barbarian archipelago, the inspiration Cressida Cowell took from her childhood stays on Little Colonsay - I love the way she writes about landscapes dominated by heather and bracken, craggy hills, deep woods and horrific weather.
In reading out loud, I give each character a different accent, and my only criticism of this instalment was the amount of dialogue given to a wide range of minor characters. Admittedly this is a problem entirely of my own making - but keeping track of the accents attributed to Tantrum’s 11 fiancés was an absolute nightmare.
Otherwise a solid instalment in this great series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 539 reviews