A Hero's Guide To Deadly Dragons

How to Train Your Dragon #6

by Cressida Cowell

It's Hiccup's birthday, but that's not going to keep him from getting into trouble. To save his dragon, Toothless, from being banished, Hiccup must sneak into the Meathead Public Library and steal the Viking's most sacred book. But the Vikings see books as a dangerous influence, and keep them locked up and under heavy guard. To save his friend, Hiccup must brave the Hairy Scary Librarian and his dreadful army of Meathead Warriors and face off against the formidable Driller-Dragons. Will he make it out and live to see his next birthday?

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

201 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2008

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

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To everyone who's only familiar with the movie/series adaptation of How to Train your Dragon, I can't emphasize enough on how the books are SO much better. I mean, the animated version isn't bad or anything, it's certainly enjoyable, but the books...the BOOKS!



Yes, one of the biggest differences involves Toothless. In the movies, Toothless is a Night Fury, a big, rare and dangerous dragon. In the books, he's a Common or Garden dragon, the smallest of all the hunting dragons around. He's a bit of a scaredy pants and incredibly naughty. He can talk Dragonese, something Hiccup can speak as well, and has a stutter while doing so. If you ever listen to the audiobooks narrated by David Tennant, you'll never forget Toothless's way of speaking.

A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons is the sixth installment in the 'How To Train your Dragon'-series. I highly recommend reading the previous five books first, but if you really can't or don't want to, you can also just read this as a standalone book because there are plenty of references/explanations back to the first books.

This is the first actual printed book I've read in the series and I was quite curious to see if I would like it just as much as the audiobooks. I can say it wasn't a disappointment. The lack of David Tennant is being made up by some hilarious illustrations:



All the illustrations are black and white and in this particular style. There are a lot of them so if this is not your cup of tea, well, you've been warned.

I had the feeling this story was a bit shorter than the previous ones, but it's hard to tell when I never actually READ the others. Still, it was a really fun read, with adventurous suspense and plenty of laughing-out-loud-moments. As a bonus to this book, there's the 'real' A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons at the end, plus a Dragonese Dictionary in which we find out 'hairy no-brainers' is Dragonese for 'Vikings' and 'dandruff-di-woden' means 'snow'. Now guess what a buttok-thunder is...

All characters are delightful. From the chief of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe, Stoick the Vast, oh hear his name and tremble, ugh ugh to Big-Boobied Bertha, chief of the Bog-Burglars, to Stormfly, the mood dragon with whom Toothless falls madly in love.

The Sunday Express calls this a book 'Loved by six to nine-year-olds', but I think it's more for all ages, really. With the exception of really young children maybe, due to the suspense. If you were wondering ever since you looked at the illustration up here, this is NOT a picture book. Lots of illustrations, yes, but only to accompany the full story in text.

If you love Vikings, dragons, children's adventures and an endless list of crazy characters, you should really start reading these books asap.

I'm giving this one 4 stars, but only because I felt it was such a short story compared to the others. The first books each get a 5-star rating from me for sure!

For those who are curious, here's what the audiobooks sound like! (Toothless is in the excerpt of Book 3)

[The Flooze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six books in and I'm still immensely entertained by this series. Though there's a common thread throughout all the stories - brain over brawn - each book brings with it related, worthwhile messages. (And a lot of boobie humour.)

A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons centers largely on one of Hiccup’s favorite topics: the value of books. (This Viking is one of us, don’t you see?) Unfortunately, Hiccup lives in a world where books are banned ::gasp:: and the very idea of reading them - let alone writing them, as our Hero himself is attempting to do - is abhorrent.

Books were despised by the Viking Tribes, as they were seen as a horrible civilizing influence and a threat to the barbarian culture. Because they were banned, they were locked up in the great grim Meathead Public Library, guarded by the terrible Hairy Scary Librarian…

Oh, dear.

Naturally, with such an intimidating description dangled before us, it’s inevitable that Hiccup is going to end up visiting this fortress of forbidden knowledge.

And despite being terrified, Hiccup is amazed at what a magnificent place it is.

But here, it was like entering a cave full of treasure.
“WOW,” breathed Hiccup, “if you stayed here long enough you really could find the answer to everything…”

I couldn’t help but be swept up in Hiccup’s excitement at the vast store of knowledge before him. Though I often take NY’s large libraries and sprawling bookstores for granted, it was lovely to live vicariously through Hiccup, imagining what it might be like to come upon such a place for the first time. I can certainly appreciate his burning curiosity and the little voice in his head pleading with him to grab a tome and dive in.

Because nothing involving Hiccup and his friends is ever simple, there are multiple dangers standing between our young Viking and the written word. The primary threat is the Hairy Scary Librarian. He’s a fearsome foe and an all around bad egg:

"Well I'm very sorry, too," whispered the Hairy Scary Librarian, sadly shaking his head and drawing out another sword with his left hand. "But I think that these books are MINE all MINE." A horrible gloating and greedy look came into his mad, half-blind eyes.

Um. I think this Mr. Hairy Scary and I might have something in common…

There are other subplots involving burglary contests and murderous neighbouring Viking tribes, as well as lots of additional info on the dragons that inhabit Hiccup’s world. There’s the requisite Moment of Contrition from Hiccup’s father (I do wish he’d learn his lesson properly one day), and many instances of the importance of true, reliable friends. There’s also the emphasis on thinking logically and quickly to overcome troubles - I’m pleased to say Fishlegs gets a good deal of credit in this area. All of it melds together to form just the sort of fun, fast-paced adventure I’ve come to expect from Cressida Cowell and her endearing characters.

I'm always thrilled with how the author wraps up her stories - reflecting on not just the immediate dilemma but also on the wider implications for Hiccup’s development. Mentally reviewing his chaotic day sparks a thought in Hiccup’s mind, one that all bibliophiles have had and a concept that we all treasure: in reading, we often discover that we’re not alone. A character’s passing thought, a laundry list of misgivings, a description of a feeling so vast we thought it indescribable or of a touch so fleeting we didn’t think anyone else would notice…the fact that someone else - quite outside our heads - could express these moments so perfectly, prompting a relieved, thankful sigh of, “Yes. Yes! Me, too.” Ahhh. These are the moments that give reading its bone-deep significance. It bolsters us up, validates us in ways we might never truly realize relying on personal connections alone.

And with that realization, “Hiccup (and every reader with him) gave a sigh of contentment.”

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ...

Really enjoyed
this one!
👍😁👍

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read 2025:
sandwiching this one between books 5 + 7 is kinda wild but also a needed reprieve between the intensity of those two. it's hiccup's birthday and all he wants is to go to the library, he's so me.


re-read 2018:
Gosh I love this one

[Lotta Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son absolutely loved this story! He just can't get enough of Hiccup and his adventures!

[Sara Saif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um...this particular GIF has no relation whatsoever to this review but I really liked it so that's why it's here.
So, the review:
Plot: Hilarious but predictable 3/5
Characters: Lovable as always 4/5
The Laugh Factor: There but a bit less this time 3.5/5
New Dragon(s): At least 4 notably Camicazi's Mood Dragon, Stormfly 4/5
Development: Vikings lift their ban on books 5/5

No wait! There is a connection; both the book and the gifs are DEAD cute!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

** read by David Tennant
app. 3 hrs

another 5⭐performance by David Tennant! 🎉💥🎉

the Hairy Scary Librarian: "Nobody borrows books from my library and lives to tell the tale!"
-Cressida Cowell, A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons

Toothless has gotten himself in trouble again!
It's Hiccup's 12th birthday, and instead of a party, he finds himself facing the perils of The Meathead Public Library!

[Jaiden Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I mean, how could I not love this? It's a heist set in a library with dragons! Literally the PERFECT COMBO!👌💖😜

Language: One use of 'he' double hockey stick as in down-under.

Violence: Fight scenes, but nothing detailed.

Magic: N/A

(Other:Mentions of the viking gods.)

This was soooooo good!!!💖🤩👌 I loved the setting, a giant library labyrinth? TOO COOL!!💖📚 And we got the whole gang together the whole time, yes! I love them all so much, and Fishleg's and Cami's interactions are just the best!😂 And Stormfly and Toothless, d'awww! These two are too cute! And jealous Toothless had me cracking up...lol...🤭💖
This one was just so fun and cute!! And I adored the theme of the power of books! Yes! So true, books are so powerful! I loved, loved, that bit!!!📚📚💖🤩👌👌
Just saying too, the Hairy Scary Liberian, was so funny!😂 he was crazy, but he just had me laughing so hard! Haha😂💖
This was just so much fun to read! I enjoyed every page! Running with the gang through the labyrinth, exploring the different books, fighting vicious dragons, and playing-hide-in-seek with Stormfly...lol!😂💖📚
PERFECTION!👌💖📚🤩🐉🐉

7+

[miaaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If book #1 to #5 mostly about being adventurous and about being yourself, somehow I feel that Cowell tries to send a deeper message here in this book.

Let me share with you Hiccup's note:

"I myself grew up to be not only a Hero, but also a Writer. When I was an adult, I rewrote A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons, and I included not only some descriptions of the various deadly dragon species, and a useful Dragonese Dictionary, but also this story of hose the book came to be written in the first place.

This is the book that you are holding in your hands right now.

Perhaps you even borrowed it from a Library?

If so, thank Thor that the sinister figure of the Hairy Scary Librarian is not lurking around a corner, hiding in the shadows, Heart-Slicers at the ready, or whirring whine of a Driller Dragon's drill.

You, dear reader, I am sure cannot imagine what it might to be like to live in a world in which books are banned.

For surely such things will never happen in the Future?

Thank Thor that you live in a time and a place where people have the right to live and think and write and read their books in peace, and there are no need for Heroes anymore ...

And spare a thought for those who have not been so lucky."

[Ken W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read/listen! Absolutely fantastic narration! I will definitely keep going with this series! 4.25 stars!

[Tyrell ⚔️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But how can we know that dragons did not exist? We have never actually BEEN to the Dark Ages.”

Another incredible installment in the HTYD series. Although most of these installments are a bit forgettable, the amount of happiness and comfort that this series brings me is unmatched.

[Denae Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader thoughts: Again, such fun. Fishlegs points out that they're in trouble when they're trusting a dragon who is a pathological liar and amnesiac. Oh, and the floor is covered in some sort of stinging dragon worm. And the drillo dragons are drilling into the library, and the Hairy Scary Librarian is chasing them. And the murderous clan is hunting them, too.

But at least they have Hiccup, and he's learning that Vikings don't have to be afraid of books. Really, you'd think that, with all the dragons to be afraid of, the Vikings would not fear books so much. It is funny that they do, though.

I'm realizing how little Stoic really listens to Hiccup. At least we know they love each other anyway.

Writer thoughts: Cowell uses quite a few coincidences in her books, but she points them out. This is a writer technique called "hanging a lantern on it" to let the reader know that some event is improbable. Instead of sounding like a mistake, now, the reader realizes that this was on purpose. How likely is it that Hiccup would glance up and see the book his ancestor wrote at just the right moment that he needed it? AND it has the same title that Hiccup's own book has? Cowell doesn't treat this moment as a plot hole, she treats it as a surprise, a quirk in the story. Whatever it was, it was on purpose, and the reader knows it.

[King Haddock · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't that this was a horrible installment of the "How to Train Your Dragon" novel series. However, it lacked much of the luster that has characterized many of the other books. In a typical novel, I expect to laugh over crude and silly humor, go on a high stakes adventure, and watch Hiccup magically pull out tricks to save himself in the nick of time. In all these areas, though, "A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons" does not fully deliver.

The Downsides

The humor was present but not quite as flamboyant as some of the other books were. The entire setting of kids going through a spooky library does not provide quite as much material by which to joke, nor were their hazards so ridiculous that their adventures could spice up the comic relief, either. All in all, while the book was amusing and had its cheeky moments, it didn't shine.

Secondly, the idea of Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Camicazi going in to steal a book from a library on Hiccup's third/twelfth birthday feels a lot less dramatic of an adventure than what Hiccup has already endured. We can talk all we want about the fact that the Hairy Scary Librarian is a good swordsman, but when you come down to it, this adventure really lacks the flare that we've before seen.

For let's do a tally. Hiccup faced the Green Death and almost got swallowed whole in "How to Train Your Dragon"; goes on a treasure hunt, sinks the bottom of the sea after diving off a burning ship, and faces numerous dangerous dragons in "How to be a Pirate"; is kidnapped by Romans and forced to be a gladiator-like figures fighting Sharkworms in "How to Speak Dragonese"; gets chased and captured by Hysterics and almost dies from Venomous Vorpent poison in "How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse"; and has to save the entire archipelago from destruction by hurling a stone into an activating volcano in "How to Twist a Dragon's Tale."

Amidst so much drama, of near-death escapes, kidnapping, facing terrible mountain-sized dragons, diving off burning ships, and saving the world from total disaster, it almost seems like "A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons" is a joke plot. Right after Hiccup surfs on the Windfinder down lava, we're expected to be content with he and his friends stealing a book just to maintain Stoick's pride during a burgling competition? The premise of the quest is simply for the boys to make up for Toothless's wood eating frenzy and for Stoick to not feel so horribly beat by Big-Boobied Bertha. It's really not all that satisfying.

Sure, with the insertion of Madguts the Murderous and Gumboil, we have some more "true danger" in the storyline. But that was very much a side-element of a book which mainly concentrated on the kids wandering around a library and fighting one old man who wielded dual swords.

Not only is the adventure itself slightly more lacking than average, but it's shorter, too. Whereas the average book thus far for this series is notably over 200 pages of story material, "A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons" hands us only 177, and is only as thick as the other books due to its lengthy appendix. I would also think that there are more (and larger) illustrations, further reducing page size. This book took me one short day to read, whereas the others I remember spending more time.

And if I want to get nit-picky I can add another criticism that we have a continuity error - Fishlegs owns a book about visiting Rome for the first time and it's no big of a deal (reread "How to Twist a Dragon's Tale"), but here any reading at all is forbidden. It's not an enormous continuity error, but still slightly annoying for those who like in-universe cohesion.

The Bright Sides

Criticism done, I am going to point out that there is, of course, much still to enjoy about this novel. And I did, and the novel still deserves three stars. The comments I will make might be slightly spoiler-ish being as they don't happen at the beginning of the book (so you have been warned).

The first thing that was special about this installation in the series was Stormfly's introduction. We meet the little Mood Dragon in this novel, and she is a wonderful character addition from the first page she appears. A pathological liar whose color-changing gives her away makes for an amusing, selfish dragon. She's certainly a dragon I want to see more of in the next books - and I'm sure we will!

Secondly, there is something incredibly special and heartwarming to see Hiccup locate a book from his ancestor. Ever since the first book where he was introduced as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, I have wanted to know precisely what the First and Second Hiccups were like. Finding a key element of his past about which he never knew is a special reveal to both our character on his birthday and to readers.

Final Word

Keep reading. There's always going to be one or two books in a series that don't shine quite as much as the others. Hopefully this is the only one and we're back to more drama, more side-splitting humor, more high-stakes, and more pages of awesome with the following installments.

[Schuyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly fun entry in the series. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Emma Ann]

And on goes the reread.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Further adventures of Hiccup, Fishlegs, Camicazi and Toothless. This was the least interesting so far.

[Kirstie Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

I loved that this was essentially a library heist.

By far the shortest book in the series so far - I was almost surprised when this one ended. In the edition I read, the last third of the book is filled with dragon profiles and a glossary, so it really is a snappy little story.

It's so fun how these books build on each other and the small things that happen in each instalment all come into play throughout the overarching story in all 12 books.

But you really can't get better than a secret mission to steal a book out of a library that is heavily protected – and the Hairy Scary Librarian is not to be underrated of course!

Thoroughly enjoyed it - almost sad that is wasn't longer, however.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved it but it wasn’t ever my fave

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books. David Tennant is a treasure as the reader.

[Visfrietje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libraries are truly the most evil place imaginable.

[Dana Salman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for How to Train Your Dragon (I can't seem to find that book anywhere!) but I found this instead, and I figured I might as well look into it just to make sure the series was good. Even though it was the sixth book it was still enjoyable to read. I can't imagine the kind of world Hiccup lived in. I mean, being a viking would be awesome for me: I've always wanted an adventurous, somewhat dangerous life, which is the main reason why I read books. But I still love to read, and I shudder to think that a whole library is banned to the public. Hiccup felt the same way, too.
This book just made me more eager to read the first book, when really I was worried it would make me feel the opposite. I love the characters, I love the plot, and I love the humor. It felt to me like I was reading a fantasy version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, with a more sophisticated writing style (and considerably more likeable characters). The four protagonists, Camicazi, Hiccup, Fishlegs and Toothless, together make the funnest main characters I've read in a book ever, and not just because of the illustrations and the weird ways of the Vikings (both Hooligans and Bo-Burglers). And that's just it. I had fun. Normally I only read books to see the outcome of things, but here I just plain old enjoyed myself.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was worried I wouldn't enjoy this one as much as I did the first five, since this is the first one that I have read instead of listening to. (And if you follow my reviews, you know how amazing David Tennant is in the audio books.) Luckily, I could still hear Mr. Tennant's range of voices in my head, and the action and adventure were just as fun. I also got to enjoy the pictures, which ALMOST made up for missing out on the audio. I get a LITTLE frustrated that in every book Stoick doesn't trust or listen to his son--I mean, Hiccup has saved the tribe many times already--but the adventures that spawn from his distrust are original and fun. I'm particularly fond of this story, as Hiccup and his friends explore the forbidden library and Hiccup wonders if he convince his tribe that books are good, not bad.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one may be my favorite storyline so far of all the books.

I really do love Hiccup as a character. While he's a bit less sarcastic in the books, he's still quite great. I also really love Camicazi!

Stormfly showed up in this tome, but just like everything else, she is completely different from the movie. She is not a Deadly Natter, she's actually a mood dragon, which was quite fun. And I liked the fact she spoke Norse.

This book also had pretty much the greatest literary line every written in it:
"The mighty bosoms of Big-Boobied Bertha had killed many a Warrior in mortal combat."

Perfection.

I also enjoyed the Dragonese dictionary in the back. Some of that language is quite clever.

Halfway through the series! What other shenanigans will Hiccup and his friends get into?

[Brigid ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason it took me ages to read this one. I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite of the series so far. I feel like the books before this one had more compelling plots but this one was just kind of about the characters running around in a library (from an evil killer librarian, but still). At least Stormfly was introduced in this one though––YAAAY. :D

I might write a longer review eventually.

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons is probably my least favorite book of the How to Train Your Dragon series so far, but I still absolutely adored it! Cressida Cowell just has this simple, mesmerizing way of telling a story and I can never seem to be bothered to dislike them. They’re absolutely perfect for reading in one sitting as well. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series and discover how Hiccup’s next adventure will go.

[Ani Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank Thor that you live in a time and a place where people have the right to live and think and write and read their books in peace, and there are no need for Heroes anymore ...

And spare a thought for those who have not been so lucky."

[Anthony Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite of the series so far. The characters are really well-established now, and the new elements introduced worked well.

[Jared Pangier · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, so good, this series is phenomenal. Don't ever judge a book by its suggested grade level. Middle Grade does not equal inferior to books aimed at older readers and many Middle-Grade reads are still very accessible (and appropriate) for younger kids—like my five-year-old daughter who loves this whole series. She loves it so much she has NO interest seeing the movie (which I saw first and enjoyed, BTW).

This book is a bit different from the other five I read as it takes place mostly indoors as Hiccup and his crew are tasked to steal a book from the public but not-so-public library to replace the book that Hiccup's dragon shredded as fodder for his appetite and flames. Can Hiccup and company steal a newer version of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON in a library guarded by the Hairy Scary Librarian and hundreds of dragons? Can Camicaze steal Stoic's hairy underpants? I think you know the answer!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiccup starts the book dangling from a windowsill of the Meathead Public Library, which isn't open to the public (who would do such a thing!). He's trying to steal a book. THE book. The How to Train Your Dragon Book. Because Toothless ate the only other copy in existence (the one Hiccup's dad stole -- from the same library). And it's Hiccup's birthday. And somehow, somehow, Camicazi convinced him this zany heist would be an adventure. And look where he ends up!

This one I actually used the opening few pages to teach en media res to middle school students. It's one of my favorites in the HTTYD series.

Excellent illustrated middle grade dragon story! We read all 13 HTTYD books long, long before the movies or the TV shows, and Hiccup and Toothless and Fishlegs (and Horror Cow) and Camicazi and Old Wrinkly and Alvin (!) were favorites in our home for years. The books have been read to shreds. Absolutely fantastic for getting your graduating-from-chapter-book reader into longer works. (Again, I couldn't find the edition we read -- it's from 2007). Enjoy!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably one of my favorites so far (although I also loved the Pirate one). I loved this because it took place in a library and I love how the job of the Hairy Scary Librarian is to keep everyone away from the books and that Hiccup's mission starts out as trying to prove that he's as good a thief as any Viking to trying to convince all the Vikings that books are a good thing and they should be available to everyone! I loved that it was an adventure where the kids ignored the parents and Kamikazi, Hiccup, and Fishlegs decide to do something dangerous on their own and we get to meet Kamikazi's dragon, who is as tiny as she is. Overall, this was super fun and the perfect listen during my platelet donation! Highly recommended.