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How to Train Your Dragon #9
How to Steal a Dragon's Sword
Viking Berk heir Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his dragon, Toothless are target of dragon rebellion -- filled with the meanest Razor-wings, Tonguetwisters, and Vampire Ghouldeaths. Only a King can save them, a champion with all of the King's Lost Things. Hiccup will have to outwit a witch, fight his arch-enemy, and beat back an army of bloodthirsty dragons with just one sword.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2011
322 people are currently reading
5661 people want to read
About the author
Cressida Cowell
211 books2,456 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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
December 10, 2011
OMG I finally got it, can't wait to read it!!!
************************************************
After three months of weekly visits to the bookstores only to find that they still didn't have this book in stock, I could barely contain my excitement when I finally found it, on my birthday, coming back from the mall and stopping by the Bookworm before going home. It was on the shelf, with the rest of the How to Train Your Dragon books, as though it had been there all along.
It saddened me that the new Eragon book had a place of honor on the front desk where everyone could see it. Eragon, another series about dragons, is bland and mediocre. But it had fans. Coming out of the bookstore, lucky enough to get the only copy of How to Steal a Dragon's Sword that was in there, I realised it was only there because I'd asked about it previously - none of the other bookstores had it yet. There was only one copy, and it was out of sight, because no one cared about How to Train Your Dragon.
But these books deserve, in my opinion, every bit as much adoration and recognition as the Dreamworks movie. Because these are NOT kid's books. Not anymore.
The How to Train Your Dragon series, as far as I can tell, is regarded as being mainly for boys ages 7 to 10-ish. Well. I'm a girl. I'm seventeen. And in actual fact, the supposed 'kid's' movie based off the 'kid's' book has a very devoted sect of fans predominantly made up of teenagers. And some of those fans read the first book after watching the movie, and they scoffed; 'oh, this is just for kids, it's a big joke, what happened to the characters, the movie was so much better!'
There's actually alot about the Hiccup books that are not at all childish. The style of writing, for one thing, is very mature; I often have to explain the metaphors and big words to my nine-year-old sister (a drooling fan of both the movie and the books) when I read them to her. There's blood, and fighting, and deep and poignant moments that can be very deep.
What people don't realise is that the How to Train Your Dragon series as a whole is made up of just as much epic win as the movie, maybe a bit more, seeing how there's elbow room for more to happen (though hopefully Dreamworks will hurry up with that sequel and we can see more of the movie Hiccup and Toothless too).
With the release of How to Steal a Dragon's Sword the stakes have been raised higher. The danger quality is kicked up a notch. You still have cartoonlike humor, you still have dim-witted vikings, you still have a Toothless who is admittedly, perhaps, not as loveable as the Toothless that made the movie so popular. But you have climatic decisions to be made, and so much to lose. You have perilous and intense situations that have you at the edge of your seat and your heart thumping wildly, you have plot twists that'll have you hyperventilating, and a cliffhanger at the end to top it all off.
Because now, the beginning of the movie plot begins. Now - the rebellion is coming.
I don't want to outrightly spoil what'll happen, but I will say that this book does not have a happily ever after, another trait of maturity - kid's books always end on a happy note, right? So if you are not already hooked up on How to Train Your Dragon, wait until the next book comes out who-knows-how-much-longer and by the time you read this you won't have to eat yourself raw in your hunger for the continuation, as I am.
Because, funnily enough, I was as hyped up about this book as I was when I first read the last Harry Potter book. This is a series worth getting worked up over. It's fun, clever, fast-paced, touching, funny, and, as I've established with the comparison to Harry Potter, of epic win.
And this is how enthusiastic I'll be when Cressida Cowell blessedly finishes the nameless future finale to this amazing series, not like how I was for The Chronicles of Narnia (sadly), not for Eragon, not for the next Twilight movie, but How. To Train. Your Dragon.
************************************************
After three months of weekly visits to the bookstores only to find that they still didn't have this book in stock, I could barely contain my excitement when I finally found it, on my birthday, coming back from the mall and stopping by the Bookworm before going home. It was on the shelf, with the rest of the How to Train Your Dragon books, as though it had been there all along.
It saddened me that the new Eragon book had a place of honor on the front desk where everyone could see it. Eragon, another series about dragons, is bland and mediocre. But it had fans. Coming out of the bookstore, lucky enough to get the only copy of How to Steal a Dragon's Sword that was in there, I realised it was only there because I'd asked about it previously - none of the other bookstores had it yet. There was only one copy, and it was out of sight, because no one cared about How to Train Your Dragon.
But these books deserve, in my opinion, every bit as much adoration and recognition as the Dreamworks movie. Because these are NOT kid's books. Not anymore.
The How to Train Your Dragon series, as far as I can tell, is regarded as being mainly for boys ages 7 to 10-ish. Well. I'm a girl. I'm seventeen. And in actual fact, the supposed 'kid's' movie based off the 'kid's' book has a very devoted sect of fans predominantly made up of teenagers. And some of those fans read the first book after watching the movie, and they scoffed; 'oh, this is just for kids, it's a big joke, what happened to the characters, the movie was so much better!'
There's actually alot about the Hiccup books that are not at all childish. The style of writing, for one thing, is very mature; I often have to explain the metaphors and big words to my nine-year-old sister (a drooling fan of both the movie and the books) when I read them to her. There's blood, and fighting, and deep and poignant moments that can be very deep.
What people don't realise is that the How to Train Your Dragon series as a whole is made up of just as much epic win as the movie, maybe a bit more, seeing how there's elbow room for more to happen (though hopefully Dreamworks will hurry up with that sequel and we can see more of the movie Hiccup and Toothless too).
With the release of How to Steal a Dragon's Sword the stakes have been raised higher. The danger quality is kicked up a notch. You still have cartoonlike humor, you still have dim-witted vikings, you still have a Toothless who is admittedly, perhaps, not as loveable as the Toothless that made the movie so popular. But you have climatic decisions to be made, and so much to lose. You have perilous and intense situations that have you at the edge of your seat and your heart thumping wildly, you have plot twists that'll have you hyperventilating, and a cliffhanger at the end to top it all off.
Because now, the beginning of the movie plot begins. Now - the rebellion is coming.
I don't want to outrightly spoil what'll happen, but I will say that this book does not have a happily ever after, another trait of maturity - kid's books always end on a happy note, right? So if you are not already hooked up on How to Train Your Dragon, wait until the next book comes out who-knows-how-much-longer and by the time you read this you won't have to eat yourself raw in your hunger for the continuation, as I am.
Because, funnily enough, I was as hyped up about this book as I was when I first read the last Harry Potter book. This is a series worth getting worked up over. It's fun, clever, fast-paced, touching, funny, and, as I've established with the comparison to Harry Potter, of epic win.
And this is how enthusiastic I'll be when Cressida Cowell blessedly finishes the nameless future finale to this amazing series, not like how I was for The Chronicles of Narnia (sadly), not for Eragon, not for the next Twilight movie, but How. To Train. Your Dragon.
March 11, 2020
"Are you the stuff that a Hero is made of? Or are you a jellyfish in a skirt?"
I cannot even really begin to tell you how brilliant these books are, and this is the best in the series so far. Seriously, I recommend everyone read it, although, of course, as this memoir will helpfully remind you in bits and places, you should definitely read the other stories, too.
The humor is unparalleled! And the story just keeps getting better and more deep as you read along. This may even be among my top favorites ever, ever, ever.
> it talks about heroism and villainy
> it talks about failure
> it talks about bravery
> it talks about standing up for what's right
> it talks about youth and growing up
> it talks about loyalty and friendship
This is the Dragon Jewel, the gem, in the series. And I can only imagine it continues to grow and teach in awesome ways from here. I'll sing the praises for this book like a true Viking sings for every perilous occasion.
I cannot even really begin to tell you how brilliant these books are, and this is the best in the series so far. Seriously, I recommend everyone read it, although, of course, as this memoir will helpfully remind you in bits and places, you should definitely read the other stories, too.
The humor is unparalleled! And the story just keeps getting better and more deep as you read along. This may even be among my top favorites ever, ever, ever.
> it talks about heroism and villainy
> it talks about failure
> it talks about bravery
> it talks about standing up for what's right
> it talks about youth and growing up
> it talks about loyalty and friendship
This is the Dragon Jewel, the gem, in the series. And I can only imagine it continues to grow and teach in awesome ways from here. I'll sing the praises for this book like a true Viking sings for every perilous occasion.
March 3, 2017
And now we are into the last 4 books which are more a part of each other, sequentially following a storyline rather than each book being concluded in itself. The Dragons have declared war on the humans and Hiccup is at his lowest ebb ever, though accompanied by 3 dragons who show the greatest of loyalty to him, as does Fishlegs and, after a brief failure to do so, Camicazi returns to fidelity. Surely we all want to believe in dragons? By now my only concern is....when did they die out and was Hiccup the cause? Awaiting the next installment!
February 14, 2017
A Hero cannot triumph all the time.
Sometimes he will be defeated, and how he faces that defeat is a test of his character.
And now Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third had been defeated...
He had lost everything.
I am exploding from feels.
This is an incredibly horrible thing because none of my other close friends have read the HTTYD series, so I cannot rant off my emotions to someone else.
So expect a lot of explosions here.
Book one of the How to Train Your Dragon series began rather glibly and lightheartedly, and many of Hiccup's other early adventures were exciting but still a bit happy-go-lucky. THIS book, however, took Hiccup's memoirs to a whole new level. The Viking world is becoming a lot darker, creating a book that captivates me like none other.
There was so much drama in this.
And oh so beautiful.
I can talk about the first half of the book, and that was a lot of fun, of course. Hiccup saving the boys on the cliffside was an epic adventure, as was the journey into the tunnels below the castle. However, I want to focus on the second half of the book, where Hiccup's adventures exploded into their full extent of DRAMATIC.
Learning the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the First really excited me for many reasons. First of all, I wanted to know about him. Second, it was a great and dramatic story, almost as juicy as learning about Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Second. Third, the story of nine year old ancestral Hiccup almost marries the movies with the books, for the DreamWorks story is in many ways the telling of the First Hiccup, not the Third.
Hiccup defeating the witch because of his immunity to Venomous Vorpent venom.
And then we got to the swordfighting competition at the end, Vikings competing with one another to try to becoming King of the Wilderwest.
More drama.
Stoick fighting Hiccup.
His scrawny thirteen year old son winning.
Hiccup becoming King.
The Slavemark being revealed (I KNEW that was going to happen, but this was BEAUTIFULLY and absolutely dramatically done! It was just as juicily dramatic and moreso than I wanted it.).
And then everything going completely downhill. Sure, the Slavemark being revealed would do that, but the extent to which EVERYTHING fell apart shocked me.
I think I read this entire book swearing up a storm and screaming (good thing I live alone).
Fishlegs declaring loyalty to Hiccup despite the Slavemark. Alvin officially King. Stoick enslaved. Snotlout Chief. Dragons hunted to Extinction. The Rebellion begun. Hiccup an Outcast and fugitive.
HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY END A BOOK WORSE THAN THIS???
I love it so much.
Even if the feels are going to make me explode.
Sometimes he will be defeated, and how he faces that defeat is a test of his character.
And now Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third had been defeated...
He had lost everything.
I am exploding from feels.
This is an incredibly horrible thing because none of my other close friends have read the HTTYD series, so I cannot rant off my emotions to someone else.
So expect a lot of explosions here.
Book one of the How to Train Your Dragon series began rather glibly and lightheartedly, and many of Hiccup's other early adventures were exciting but still a bit happy-go-lucky. THIS book, however, took Hiccup's memoirs to a whole new level. The Viking world is becoming a lot darker, creating a book that captivates me like none other.
There was so much drama in this.
And oh so beautiful.
I can talk about the first half of the book, and that was a lot of fun, of course. Hiccup saving the boys on the cliffside was an epic adventure, as was the journey into the tunnels below the castle. However, I want to focus on the second half of the book, where Hiccup's adventures exploded into their full extent of DRAMATIC.
Learning the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the First really excited me for many reasons. First of all, I wanted to know about him. Second, it was a great and dramatic story, almost as juicy as learning about Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Second. Third, the story of nine year old ancestral Hiccup almost marries the movies with the books, for the DreamWorks story is in many ways the telling of the First Hiccup, not the Third.
Hiccup defeating the witch because of his immunity to Venomous Vorpent venom.
And then we got to the swordfighting competition at the end, Vikings competing with one another to try to becoming King of the Wilderwest.
More drama.
Stoick fighting Hiccup.
His scrawny thirteen year old son winning.
Hiccup becoming King.
The Slavemark being revealed (I KNEW that was going to happen, but this was BEAUTIFULLY and absolutely dramatically done! It was just as juicily dramatic and moreso than I wanted it.).
And then everything going completely downhill. Sure, the Slavemark being revealed would do that, but the extent to which EVERYTHING fell apart shocked me.
I think I read this entire book swearing up a storm and screaming (good thing I live alone).
Fishlegs declaring loyalty to Hiccup despite the Slavemark. Alvin officially King. Stoick enslaved. Snotlout Chief. Dragons hunted to Extinction. The Rebellion begun. Hiccup an Outcast and fugitive.
HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY END A BOOK WORSE THAN THIS???
I love it so much.
Even if the feels are going to make me explode.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2019
The friendships in this series just kill me with their wonderfulness
June 2, 2012
This was an amazing book and by far the best of the Hiccup series!!!! I loved the characters, especially the witch! I thought it was written extremely well with just the right amount of humour. I was crying by the end of it.
The witch was an brilliant villain throughout the book; she was far more evil than Alvin, just as smart as Hiccup and it was enjoyable to see the two winning small victories for themselves (in all the other books the main villain had the upper hand until the end of the story). They brought out the best, and the worst, in each other.
The cliffhanger ending was awesome and it's the only book in which everything doesn't turn out OK!
I am killing myself waiting for the next book to come out!!!
It's definitely worthy of more than just a 5-star rating.
The witch was an brilliant villain throughout the book; she was far more evil than Alvin, just as smart as Hiccup and it was enjoyable to see the two winning small victories for themselves (in all the other books the main villain had the upper hand until the end of the story). They brought out the best, and the worst, in each other.
The cliffhanger ending was awesome and it's the only book in which everything doesn't turn out OK!
I am killing myself waiting for the next book to come out!!!
It's definitely worthy of more than just a 5-star rating.
August 24, 2019
*audiobook*
The humor is still there, but everything has got darker, and maybe there’s been a plot all a long ... and WOW THE PHILOSOPHICAL Questions brought up in the book.
“Did he keep his promise?”
“Only until he died. Men’s lives are but a breath, as are their words. And after that other men can break the promise.”
And so is the sad reality of the crumbling world.
The humor is still there, but everything has got darker, and maybe there’s been a plot all a long ... and WOW THE PHILOSOPHICAL Questions brought up in the book.
“Did he keep his promise?”
“Only until he died. Men’s lives are but a breath, as are their words. And after that other men can break the promise.”
And so is the sad reality of the crumbling world.
June 16, 2023
“Turn their bones to coral, Thor,
Their song to wind and hearts to gold,
They’ll live forever in the skies,
Eating rainbows with the gods.
Give us now our just revenge,
Instead of corn, now bring us blood,
Turn our peacetime into war,
Let us feast on knives and swords.”
Their song to wind and hearts to gold,
They’ll live forever in the skies,
Eating rainbows with the gods.
Give us now our just revenge,
Instead of corn, now bring us blood,
Turn our peacetime into war,
Let us feast on knives and swords.”
July 1, 2016
This is both the best and the worst of the series so far. It's the best because as Hiccup grows (he's 13 now), his character becomes more complex, as does the heroics he needs to accomplish. It's the worst we've moved on from silly Viking games and contests to the absolute worst...war. And not silly Viking war, but war with dragons--some of the very characters we've come to love. This installment is darker, sadder, and harder to read than the others. We've become accustomed to watching Hiccup triumph; and while he does have his moments in this one, it is made clear early on that things don't always work out how we want them to. There's lots of foreshadowing and hinting at horrible things to come--Cowell's Epilogue is particularly cringe-worthy, hinting that the explanation for why dragons no longer exist will be revealed in the last books of the series. This series has really transformed from a silly-but-enjoyable kids read to a layered, emotional story. Can't wait to see where things go.
September 12, 2018
** performed by David Tennant
app 5 hrs
“Please do not blame the story."
Cressida Cowell, How to Steal a Dragon's Sword
app 5 hrs
“Please do not blame the story."
Cressida Cowell, How to Steal a Dragon's Sword
May 7, 2024
3.5. This was super hard to rate...lol... do you ever have those books were you just keep flipp-flopping between I LOVE THIS and i don't like this?? Well, that was me with this book, some parts I absolutely LOVED and then other parts, I wasn't fond of...lol... I wanted to love this book because some scenes I ADORED, but I just can't give it a full 4 stars because of the parts I didn't really like... I'm so torn!!! Why must the author do this to me?
Language: A few mentions of 'he' double hockey stick as in referring to down-under.
Violence: Fight scenes, a few mentions of blood but nothing too detailed or gory. Mentions of the scorched remanes of people, not described at all tho.
Magic: They prefer to a character as a 'powerful witch' but she doesn't ever use magic or anything. She claims to tell fortunes, but she was lying, so maybe she can tell fortunes or maybe not, it was really unclear🤷♀️
(Other: Mentions of the viking gods.)
Okay, let's start with the things preventing me from giving this awesome read a full 4 stars. This is probably just a me thing, but the 'witch' just gave me the creeps. Even tho she didn't use magic, the way she walks on four legs is kinda unnerving (I get that she was imprisoned in a small cell for years but still). And poison tipped nails? Freaky. And the description of her hut with all those dead animals and carcasses, just a no for me...lol...okay, this is definitely just a me thing, I'm very squeamish, but I just couldn't enjoy the story thoroughly while being freaked out...lol...not a real biggie, still enjoyed the story itself (even loved parts) just a me thing...I don’t like being creeped out, okay?😂 (it probably wouldn't have been so unnerving if it wasn't for the illustrations of the 'witch' which are creepy, I found myself reading fast so I could flip the page, do yourself a favor and read the audio book...lol..😂)
Okay....moving on!!
What I LOVED! That begining!! That was so awesome, intense, and hilarious at the same time! (Boy, poor Snotlout😂) it started out and immediately grabbed my heart! (Lost it a little as mentioned above but grabbed it back with the last few chapters!)
The part in the well was one of my favorite parts about this book, it was so well written (no pun intented...lol...) And action packed! Flashburn was hilarious and him and Cami together had me rolling😂
I like the addition of the Wodensfang, he's very wise and funny at the same time, and he makes Toothless jealous which is a bonus! As usual Toothless is the best character and the Windwalker is such a sweety! All the stars for those two!💖🥰🤗
The action is definitely picking up, the high stakes are thrilling, and I must know how it ends! That ending! A cliffhanger? cliffhanger?? Seriously didn't see that coming! This book was so good, the author's writing has really improved since book one and Hiccup's fun adventures have turned to breathtaking adventure, impossible decisions, and he's growing up so fast! Can't wait to see what happens next!💖
Cheers to hoping I don’t get creeped out again!💖😅
12+
Language: A few mentions of 'he' double hockey stick as in referring to down-under.
Violence: Fight scenes, a few mentions of blood but nothing too detailed or gory. Mentions of the scorched remanes of people, not described at all tho.
Magic: They prefer to a character as a 'powerful witch' but she doesn't ever use magic or anything. She claims to tell fortunes, but she was lying, so maybe she can tell fortunes or maybe not, it was really unclear🤷♀️
(Other: Mentions of the viking gods.)
Okay, let's start with the things preventing me from giving this awesome read a full 4 stars. This is probably just a me thing, but the 'witch' just gave me the creeps. Even tho she didn't use magic, the way she walks on four legs is kinda unnerving (I get that she was imprisoned in a small cell for years but still). And poison tipped nails? Freaky. And the description of her hut with all those dead animals and carcasses, just a no for me...lol...okay, this is definitely just a me thing, I'm very squeamish, but I just couldn't enjoy the story thoroughly while being freaked out...lol...not a real biggie, still enjoyed the story itself (even loved parts) just a me thing...I don’t like being creeped out, okay?😂 (it probably wouldn't have been so unnerving if it wasn't for the illustrations of the 'witch' which are creepy, I found myself reading fast so I could flip the page, do yourself a favor and read the audio book...lol..😂)
Okay....moving on!!
What I LOVED! That begining!! That was so awesome, intense, and hilarious at the same time! (Boy, poor Snotlout😂) it started out and immediately grabbed my heart! (Lost it a little as mentioned above but grabbed it back with the last few chapters!)
The part in the well was one of my favorite parts about this book, it was so well written (no pun intented...lol...) And action packed! Flashburn was hilarious and him and Cami together had me rolling😂
I like the addition of the Wodensfang, he's very wise and funny at the same time, and he makes Toothless jealous which is a bonus! As usual Toothless is the best character and the Windwalker is such a sweety! All the stars for those two!💖🥰🤗
The action is definitely picking up, the high stakes are thrilling, and I must know how it ends! That ending! A cliffhanger? cliffhanger?? Seriously didn't see that coming! This book was so good, the author's writing has really improved since book one and Hiccup's fun adventures have turned to breathtaking adventure, impossible decisions, and he's growing up so fast! Can't wait to see what happens next!💖
Cheers to hoping I don’t get creeped out again!💖😅
12+
November 23, 2021
excuse me why did this book make me cry - damn
October 14, 2014
I almost didn't give this 5 stars, because it pissed me off towards the end. And yet. ....it was really good!
Hiccup was saving people left and right. He discovered how all his adventures have led to these moments and his collection of Hooligan artifacts come in handy. He won a sword fight championship and was finally ready and willing to lead, in order to affect the change he desired and save both man and dragon. But....
Stupid Snotlout, Alvin & his idiotic mother ruined eveything! Everyone turned on Hiccup. Even Camakazi!
The ONLY person, the ONLY person who stuck by him (in a rather heartwarming and awesome manner) was Fishlegs. I hereby declare I love that boy! :)
His loyalty almost brought tears to my eyes. His only other supporters being his two dragons. With Toothless finally getting jealous and wanting to do what he could for Hiccup. It was cool seeing him so dedicated and possessive. That loyalty bringing another dragon to Hiccup's side.
It was an amazing tale, but I fear it will go downhill from here since Cressida seems to want to blame the dragons' disappearance on Hiccup for some reason, somehow. :(
Please don't that Cressida! Hiccup loves dragons! it would break him, and how would he have made it to old age living with that guilt and Toothless beside him? It makes no sense. I hope she comes up with something better. One can hope, right?
Hiccup was saving people left and right. He discovered how all his adventures have led to these moments and his collection of Hooligan artifacts come in handy. He won a sword fight championship and was finally ready and willing to lead, in order to affect the change he desired and save both man and dragon. But....
Stupid Snotlout, Alvin & his idiotic mother ruined eveything! Everyone turned on Hiccup. Even Camakazi!
The ONLY person, the ONLY person who stuck by him (in a rather heartwarming and awesome manner) was Fishlegs. I hereby declare I love that boy! :)
His loyalty almost brought tears to my eyes. His only other supporters being his two dragons. With Toothless finally getting jealous and wanting to do what he could for Hiccup. It was cool seeing him so dedicated and possessive. That loyalty bringing another dragon to Hiccup's side.
It was an amazing tale, but I fear it will go downhill from here since Cressida seems to want to blame the dragons' disappearance on Hiccup for some reason, somehow. :(
Please don't that Cressida! Hiccup loves dragons! it would break him, and how would he have made it to old age living with that guilt and Toothless beside him? It makes no sense. I hope she comes up with something better. One can hope, right?
December 24, 2023
So happy they’re finally getting darker
January 19, 2019
I will forever give these books five stars! Reading them is such a joy!
October 26, 2020
Reader thoughts: This one takes a turn for the worse. Poor Hiccup!
I don't want to give too much away, but things get pretty bad in this book. Furious has returned, and he's inciting all dragons to rebel. I think the book ends on a cliffhanger, too.
Why only 4 stars? Hiccup is clever like always, but there were a couple things I wish he would have guessed/tried. Mostly, I'm just upset that such terrible things happen to him. I don't need every book to be happy, but this almost falls in the same category as The Dark Talent with doing terrible things to MCs.
So, Alvin and his mother return. Hiccup and friends scale a cliff (and camp on the cliffside) to prove they're adult Vikings. There's a sword-fighting competition. There's a cave with giant spiders and a flame dragon.
(I wonder if I'll read this book on April 14th next year, too. Ha.)
Writer thoughts: A book like this one breaks up the series so that it doesn't seem so endlessly episodic. We're 9 books into the series, and, until now, the books have been mostly the same. There's a problem, meet new dragons, and Hiccup, despite all odds, is the hero! You can practically read them in any order.
Not so, now. Now there's a problem affecting all the tribes. Now you really should have read the earlier books. There has been a shift, and I wonder if the other books will return to easy problems or just escalate to bigger problems. (Bigger of course!)
I don't want to give too much away, but things get pretty bad in this book. Furious has returned, and he's inciting all dragons to rebel. I think the book ends on a cliffhanger, too.
Why only 4 stars? Hiccup is clever like always, but there were a couple things I wish he would have guessed/tried. Mostly, I'm just upset that such terrible things happen to him. I don't need every book to be happy, but this almost falls in the same category as The Dark Talent with doing terrible things to MCs.
So, Alvin and his mother return. Hiccup and friends scale a cliff (and camp on the cliffside) to prove they're adult Vikings. There's a sword-fighting competition. There's a cave with giant spiders and a flame dragon.
(I wonder if I'll read this book on April 14th next year, too. Ha.)
Writer thoughts: A book like this one breaks up the series so that it doesn't seem so endlessly episodic. We're 9 books into the series, and, until now, the books have been mostly the same. There's a problem, meet new dragons, and Hiccup, despite all odds, is the hero! You can practically read them in any order.
Not so, now. Now there's a problem affecting all the tribes. Now you really should have read the earlier books. There has been a shift, and I wonder if the other books will return to easy problems or just escalate to bigger problems. (Bigger of course!)
April 20, 2017
You know, I know I haven't typed out reviews for all of these books, though I've loved them all. When I started reading these, I thought they'd be a cute read about a little Viking boy and his dragon.
Let me just say, I teared up. There's this one really emotional part that I never imagined would be in these pages. I have never, that I can remember, cried at a book. Until now. If you have never read these books, I urge you with all the vehemence I can muster. Read them. I promise, you won't be sorry.
I gotta go start the next one now. I'll finish this review later.
Let me just say, I teared up. There's this one really emotional part that I never imagined would be in these pages. I have never, that I can remember, cried at a book. Until now. If you have never read these books, I urge you with all the vehemence I can muster. Read them. I promise, you won't be sorry.
I gotta go start the next one now. I'll finish this review later.
December 30, 2025
This has a bit different plot and vibe compared to the other books. And the ending is a bit darker than the other ones too, with a cliffhanger. It's clear that the series is coming to an end. Good read.
March 5, 2025
This book is where things really start coming together, where you can truely see what the story is all about.
I've read my first copy of this so many times it's falling apart. This time I read a "new" copy and it felt so wrong!😂
I've read my first copy of this so many times it's falling apart. This time I read a "new" copy and it felt so wrong!😂
October 19, 2025
three dragons, each with a scar above their heart. three boys, all called hiccup.
I'm fine 😭
I'm fine 😭
August 12, 2025
Phew… this one was stressful
February 25, 2025
HELP! IT’S ALL GOING HORRIBLY WRONG!!!!
December 22, 2018
There is still a madcap quality about some of the adventures besetting Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, but also a certain melancholy, given that the tales of derring-do are being told by a much older and sadder Hiccup rather than the skinny, desperate boy struggling to stay alive against mountainous odds. That doesn’t stop the characters from pinging off the page and this story – like all the others – take off in all sorts of unexpected directions. Though there is a dreadful inevitability about the terrible war between humans and dragons that seems to be on the brink of breaking out.
It was still fun to read about the crafty witch Excellinor and her wicked plans to overthrow the Vikings and have her son crowned as King of the Wilderwest – and Hiccup’s attempts to prevent her from doing so. As well as satisfyingly wicked antagonists, Hiccup is also hampered by a lantern-jawed hero in the shape of Flashburn, the greatest swordsman of his time. And while Fishlegs, his asthmatic friend, is mostly loyal, he isn’t all that much use in a fight, while his other staunch companion, Camicazi, is an adrenaline junkie incapable of keeping a secret.
Cowell’s plotting is brilliant at keeping the pace up, so that restless small boys who would rather be kicking a football around instead of sitting still and listening to a story, nonetheless pay attention, because said story is THAT good. So if you have any small boys or girls in your life who are in need of a gripping series, then this is the one for you. If they’ve wandered off to play football, then this is still the one for you – because once you’ve started reading this one, you won’t want to put it down until you’ve discovered what happens to the likes of Toothless, Hiccup, Fishlegs and Excellinor.
10/10
It was still fun to read about the crafty witch Excellinor and her wicked plans to overthrow the Vikings and have her son crowned as King of the Wilderwest – and Hiccup’s attempts to prevent her from doing so. As well as satisfyingly wicked antagonists, Hiccup is also hampered by a lantern-jawed hero in the shape of Flashburn, the greatest swordsman of his time. And while Fishlegs, his asthmatic friend, is mostly loyal, he isn’t all that much use in a fight, while his other staunch companion, Camicazi, is an adrenaline junkie incapable of keeping a secret.
Cowell’s plotting is brilliant at keeping the pace up, so that restless small boys who would rather be kicking a football around instead of sitting still and listening to a story, nonetheless pay attention, because said story is THAT good. So if you have any small boys or girls in your life who are in need of a gripping series, then this is the one for you. If they’ve wandered off to play football, then this is still the one for you – because once you’ve started reading this one, you won’t want to put it down until you’ve discovered what happens to the likes of Toothless, Hiccup, Fishlegs and Excellinor.
10/10
December 11, 2012
At the end of the last book the Dragon Furious had disappeared and Hiccup was enjoying the very relative peace of the year after which the great dragon had sworn to return at the head of a Dragon Rebellion which would see them exterminate the human race.
As it turns out, dragons don't seem to be great time keepers as Furious is late - but the rest of it seems true enough. This volume seems to presage the end of the series and The End as there is only one more and this ends on even more of a cliffhanger and with an even worse set of possibilities in the future. Along the way Hiccup has to be his usual quick thinking and ingenious self, although we are made aware that he has put a lot of hard work into developing skills which underpin these triumphs of the moment.
Toothless is as irrepressible as ever, Fishlegs spends almost the entire book with a dragon on his head claws deeply attached and the usual characters do their usual thing, including Alvin the Treacherous's even more treacherous Mum whom we met (unfortunately) in the last book.
Way too good to be confined to children.
As it turns out, dragons don't seem to be great time keepers as Furious is late - but the rest of it seems true enough. This volume seems to presage the end of the series and The End as there is only one more and this ends on even more of a cliffhanger and with an even worse set of possibilities in the future. Along the way Hiccup has to be his usual quick thinking and ingenious self, although we are made aware that he has put a lot of hard work into developing skills which underpin these triumphs of the moment.
Toothless is as irrepressible as ever, Fishlegs spends almost the entire book with a dragon on his head claws deeply attached and the usual characters do their usual thing, including Alvin the Treacherous's even more treacherous Mum whom we met (unfortunately) in the last book.
Way too good to be confined to children.
March 29, 2016
Darker times have fallen on the Archipelago, and more truth is spilling out...and it's more dangerous.
Something has been building behind the awesome Hiccup series the whole time and I finally realize the moral of the story. Growing up. It's hard to grow up! Cressida Cowell shows this in her imaginative world of Vikings and dragons.
I will make a list of of what might(and I want to)happen.
1. Hiccup will have his FINAL battle with the seemingly immortal Alvin. And make it EPIC!
2.The Dragon Stone will be found.
3. There will be a NOT so happy ending(read Cressida's epilogue in this book. She's hinting what happens at the end)
4. Destroy that witch! I hate her, but then again, EVERYONE does.
5.A betrayal of some sort. I like twists.
Nice job, Cowell, I've been reading your books since I was 11.
Something has been building behind the awesome Hiccup series the whole time and I finally realize the moral of the story. Growing up. It's hard to grow up! Cressida Cowell shows this in her imaginative world of Vikings and dragons.
I will make a list of of what might(and I want to)happen.
1. Hiccup will have his FINAL battle with the seemingly immortal Alvin. And make it EPIC!
2.The Dragon Stone will be found.
3. There will be a NOT so happy ending(read Cressida's epilogue in this book. She's hinting what happens at the end)
4. Destroy that witch! I hate her, but then again, EVERYONE does.
5.A betrayal of some sort. I like twists.
Nice job, Cowell, I've been reading your books since I was 11.
July 2, 2024
iconic! incredible! showstopping! this one was action packed and i love how it built to this ending that leaves you feeling like all is lost but hopeful for more. i also loved seeing toothless jealous when there is another small dragon competing for hiccup's attention. and fishlegs had me cracking up so much with horrorcow stuck to his head and wanting to give up. and some excellent thoughts here on leaders and freedom and history as a circle repeating and changing
also i have to believe that cressida cowell is making fun of jkr at least just a little bit with these books and seeing the development of alvin (bald and nose-less) into this treacherous villain is so good. like you've heard of three deathly hallows, but hiccup could get ten of the king's lost things?? and the illustration of flashburn's (low-key lockehart) school looks a little like the quidditch pitch haha
also i have to believe that cressida cowell is making fun of jkr at least just a little bit with these books and seeing the development of alvin (bald and nose-less) into this treacherous villain is so good. like you've heard of three deathly hallows, but hiccup could get ten of the king's lost things?? and the illustration of flashburn's (low-key lockehart) school looks a little like the quidditch pitch haha
December 24, 2011
I started reading this series about a year ago and I absolutely love it. The latest installment in the series did not disappoint and it's great to see how the writing has changed and matured as the readers have.
I've been getting just a bit tired of Alvin as the villain and I was extremely pleased to see him take a bit of a back seat in this story. I found the ending pleasantly surprising, it's definitely the most depressing of all the books so far and just one of many indications that the books are meant for a slightly older audience.
I can't wait to see where the series goes next and I hope that Cressida Cowell holds herself to the new standard she's set.
I've been getting just a bit tired of Alvin as the villain and I was extremely pleased to see him take a bit of a back seat in this story. I found the ending pleasantly surprising, it's definitely the most depressing of all the books so far and just one of many indications that the books are meant for a slightly older audience.
I can't wait to see where the series goes next and I hope that Cressida Cowell holds herself to the new standard she's set.
January 13, 2026
Such a fun series. I have to say, this one has been the most intense in the series so far with a lot happening.
Really enjoyed it!
Content Guide:
Mild fantasy violence involving a witch and dragons.
Slavery is a thing (but the villains are the ones who employ it; the protagonists aim to set them free).
Definitely appropriate for middle grade and above.
Really enjoyed it!
Content Guide:
Mild fantasy violence involving a witch and dragons.
Slavery is a thing (but the villains are the ones who employ it; the protagonists aim to set them free).
Definitely appropriate for middle grade and above.
August 19, 2015
Favorite so far.
September 28, 2021
Eu disse a mim mesma que não ia dar nota máxima pro livro porque "eu vou mostrar pra todo mundo que sou uma pessoa séria, com senso crítico, nem um pouco emocionada", mas a resolução me abandonou nos capítulos finais. ESSE NEGÓCIO É MUITO BOM E EU VOU SER EMOCIONADA SIM!!!!
Eu voltei para o livro 9 depois de vários anos que tinha lido os oito primeiros. Eu ainda lembrava dos personagens e dos pontos da trama maior (a trama do Soluço decidindo se tornar rei dos Vikings - ele toma essa decisão razoavelmente cedo na série) mas tinha esquecido a trama individual de cada livro, então eu tinha esquecido das bugigangas EXTREMAMENTE RELEVANTES que ele coletou ao longo dos anos.
Eu adoro o humor feito de trocadilhos, anacronismos e simples absurdo. Adoro a continuidade entre os livros, como os pequenos detalhes SEMPRE são resgatados, acho um treinamento incrível para jovens leitores. E eu adoro como por baixo disso tem uma trama mega séria do Soluço velho escrevendo suas memórias sobre como os dragões deixaram de existir, e do Soluço jovem amadurecendo.
Inclusive, mais um pouco de aplauso para o amadurecimento do Soluço. Sabe, depois que entra a questão do trono do Wilderwest ele tem muito essa coisa de "o escolhido", mas muito antes de disso ele já tinha tomado decisões de ser competente, de liderar, de ser um líder melhor do que os antecedentes dele foram. E é um processo lento o suficiente para ser crível: ele pode ser ótimo com espadas é muito inteligente, mas ele é tão distante dos ideais de vikingtude dos outros que é difícil darem atenção pra ele. Qualquer progresso que ele faz sofre o risco de ser derrubado por pura tradição e cabeça-durismo, ninguém ACEITA ele como "escolhido", e só SER o escolhido não resolve as coisas automaticamente.
(Nada disso é spoiler porque esse é o livro NOVE da série, tudo que eu falei nessa avaliação aconteceu antes)
Eu voltei para o livro 9 depois de vários anos que tinha lido os oito primeiros. Eu ainda lembrava dos personagens e dos pontos da trama maior (a trama do Soluço decidindo se tornar rei dos Vikings - ele toma essa decisão razoavelmente cedo na série) mas tinha esquecido a trama individual de cada livro, então eu tinha esquecido das bugigangas EXTREMAMENTE RELEVANTES que ele coletou ao longo dos anos.
Eu adoro o humor feito de trocadilhos, anacronismos e simples absurdo. Adoro a continuidade entre os livros, como os pequenos detalhes SEMPRE são resgatados, acho um treinamento incrível para jovens leitores. E eu adoro como por baixo disso tem uma trama mega séria do Soluço velho escrevendo suas memórias sobre como os dragões deixaram de existir, e do Soluço jovem amadurecendo.
Inclusive, mais um pouco de aplauso para o amadurecimento do Soluço. Sabe, depois que entra a questão do trono do Wilderwest ele tem muito essa coisa de "o escolhido", mas muito antes de disso ele já tinha tomado decisões de ser competente, de liderar, de ser um líder melhor do que os antecedentes dele foram. E é um processo lento o suficiente para ser crível: ele pode ser ótimo com espadas é muito inteligente, mas ele é tão distante dos ideais de vikingtude dos outros que é difícil darem atenção pra ele. Qualquer progresso que ele faz sofre o risco de ser derrubado por pura tradição e cabeça-durismo, ninguém ACEITA ele como "escolhido", e só SER o escolhido não resolve as coisas automaticamente.
(Nada disso é spoiler porque esse é o livro NOVE da série, tudo que eu falei nessa avaliação aconteceu antes)
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