How to Break a Dragon's Heart (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #8) by Cressida Cowell

(books cover and synopsis from goodreads.com)

Can Hiccup complete the Impossible Task, battle Berserks, save Fishlegs from being fed to the Beast AND discover the secret of the Lost Throne? What's a Hero to do?!

I have been saying from the beginning how these books always leave me with a kind of thoughtful sad pang. The different with this one is that it was like that from the beginning. 

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We are given more insight into the Viking culture and how they go about things (e.g. if you want to live, don't fall in love). We also find out why Fishlegs would have been found adrift as sea and why Hiccup is call Hiccup (admit it, you have been desperate to know too). Several bits and pieces that were dropped in through the other books were also drawn together here. 

What I love is that although these books are written for pre-teens and up they are not dumbed down at all and are actually getting more serious as the series goes on. 

Dragons with eye beams! I don't know if this little fact has been in another book and just went over my head at the time but what a brilliant idea. They have head lights!

More insane 'hero types' are introduced and we get to see a whole new island. 

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This whole book seemed to have a big fat cloud hanging over it. From the beginning there is this haunted feel to things. The first chapter is call 'The Lost Child' after all. 

Slight spoiler - Me reading the first few pages : What do you mean Camacazi is MISSING?

There was more than one point that I found down right unsettling and Alvin is back *groan*.

All in All
Although the black cloud hovered over this book the sun did break through to keep up the laughs. 

Favourite Quotes

"T-T-Toothless NOT go in your father's study...Toothless N-N-Not play with the funny magic stone. Toothless somewhere else at the time..."

Valhallarama of the White arms and Chunky Thighs

How to Ride a Dragon's Storm (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #7) by Cressida Cowell

(Book cover and synopsis from goodreads.com)

Hiccup has three months, five days and six hours to discover America, get back to Berk, save his father, battle Polarserpents, and win the annual Inter-Tribal Friendly Swimming Race. Can he do it?

Hiccup, Camacazi and Fishlegs are taking part in the 'Inter-Tribal Friendly Swimming Race' obviously in full viking spirit the last one to return to the beach wins! Of course, someone cheats and the adventurous trio end up in trouble and on a ship bound for America because of it.

I love the three friends. At the beginning of the book they set of on the race to gears of the crowd because Fishlegs can't swim but they stick together and Camacazi and Hiccup don't leave him alone. In fact, they were willing to return to the beach and lose the race. 

More species of dragon are introduced as they sail to America also. 

And as always the epilogue from Hiccup is just as thoughtful and melancholy as the other books. 

This is a fun read and a brilliant addition to the series. It is different from the other books as this one is set - for the most part - on a boat (well...until it sinks).

Favourite Quotes ---

"Why are you shooting at me?" howled a sprinting Hiccup. "Haven't I got enough problems?"

"how can you make a fresh start in a New World when you are carrying with you on your boat all of the same problems, the same frustrations and inequalities of the Old World? Lets face it, any country ruled by Norbert called 'the Land of the Nutjobs' would have turned out to have the same problems as the Barbaric Archipelago quicker than you can say the words 'half crazed lunatic carrying a double-headed axe'"

A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #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?

(Description from Goodreads)

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In Hiccup’s world books are seen as ‘a highly dangerous civilising influence’ and because of this they are kept in the Meathead Public Library – a castle guarded by hundreds of men, driller dragons and, worse of all, the Hairy Scary Librarian who will actually kill you if he catches you. And thanks to Toothless destroying ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ by Professor Yobbish (that Gobber the Belch stole from the library) Camacazi , Hiccup and Fishlegs set themselves a mission – to get a replacement from the library.

I love how Camacazi, Fishlegs and Hiccup are all becoming closer to each other even though Camacazi’s mother is the chief of another tribe she is game for anything and jumps right in with Hiccup and Fishlegs when they are in need of help.

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With this book there isn’t a great deal of pages dedicated to the story. There is about 200 pages of story and then a good chunk at the back of the book is made up of ‘Dragon Profiles’ and a ‘Dragonese Dictionary’ – fantastic fun for younger readers! (Ok, I admit I tried some dragon lingo out on my mum, she just looked at me funny,”

“You dear reader, I am sure cannot imagine what it is 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 needs or Heroes anymore…And spare a thought for those who have not been so lucky. “

How to Twist a Dragon's Tale (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #5) by Cressida Cowell

Someone has stolen the Fire-Stone. Now the volcano on Volcano Island has become active and the tremors are hatching the eggs of the Exterminator dragons Can Hiccup return the Fire-Stone to the Volcano, stop the Volcano from erupting, and save the Tribes from being wiped out by the terrible sword-claws of the Exterminators?
(Image and Description from Goodreads)

Want to know something funny about this series. I started out LOVING it. No, really, it was nearly overtaking the Dork Diaries series in my estimations...but (yip, you all saw that one coming didn't you) the last 2 books have been a bit of a drag. I think this one was a smidgen more enjoyable than I found book 4 (How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse) but I still didn't get dragged into the story as easily as I did with the previous 3 in the series. 

In this book we have Toothless and Hiccup once again coming to the rescue, but this time there is more of a back story and we get a little bit of history about his mum and dad. We meet a Viking Hero famous for being...well...a Viking Hero and Alvin the Treacherous everyone's favourite recurring villain returns with another dastardly pot to try and get Hiccup. 

There was definitely suspense in this book as Hiccup tries to beat the volcano. But he doesn't only have the coming explosion to worry about, he also has to face the danger of the hatching Exterminators (woohoo another flavour of dragon) swarming the sides of the volcano. 

Dun dun duuuuuuuun. 

All in all it isn't the best of the series that I have read but it better than the last. I really hope things pick up with the next one. 

How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #4) by Cressida Cowell

In his 4th sidesplitting adventure, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III must rescue his best friend, Fishlegs, from the deadly disease Vorpentitis. The only cure is rare and almost impossible to find...a potato. But where will Hiccup find such a thing? He'll have to dodge the terrible Sharkworms, battle Doomfang (abilities = 30), and outwit crazy Hooligans if he's going to be a Hero...again. A fast paced plot, slapstick humor, witty dialogue and imaginative black and white illustrations enhance this exciting tale.

(Image and Description from Goodreads)

Fishlegs has been bitten by a dragon and has become ill with Vorpentitis. His only hope lies in the mythical vegetable - the potato.

Out of all of the book sof this series so far this one has the most twists and turns. As I was reading I kept thinking I had it sussed and then BAM, OK maybe I don't have it all figured out after all.

I felt my anger at the adults in this story growing. I doesn't seem to matter how much Hiccup does or how many times he saves the day they are always doubting him. Although his father finally clues in on something. :)

This book hasn't been my favourite in the series. It was still good but it was missing something that was in the first three books and I can't quite pit my finger on it.

I still can't wait to get stuck into Book 5 though!

How to Speak Dragonese (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #3) by Cressida Cowell

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

(Image and Description from Goodreads)

I love the pictures in these book and with the introduction of the Romans the pictures are even better. I must be easily amused as I did get a giggle out of the tattoos that the Romans had. Things like 'Rome Sweet Rome' and 'Mother' in a heart with an arrow through it. Yip easily amused.

"The Romans were the Vikings' deadly enemies - a very bossy lot who wanted to take over the world and had jolly near got there"

We are again introduced to more species of Dragon as well as the King of the Nanodragons and Alvin the Terrible returns bent on revenge. And, because the Romans plan in stealing all of the dragons we meet Camicazi, the heir of the Bog-Burglar Tribe.

Int his book we see Toothless' growing attachment to  Hiccup and (even though he tries to hide it) how much he cares for him.

"Toothless had spent the last 10 minutes muttering to himself on top of the mast....
'Nobody loves T-T-Toothless' he muttered to himself. But then the noises from the Roman ship got louder, and the boys did not reappear, and he started to get worried.
When he heard Hiccup YELL for help the little dragon called of his strike"

I have found that these book are filled with loads of little lessons for kids about acceptance and not tarring everyone with the same brush.


These books continue to live up to the first one! :) 

How to Be a Pirate (How to Train Your Dragon Bk #2) by Cressida Cowell

Follows the further adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as his Viking training continues and his father leads a stranger and the Hairy Hooligans to the Isle of Skullions in search of a pirate's treasure.

(Image and description from Goodreads)

Hiccup really shows what he is made of in this book and in my mind this kid is a true hero. I think it is a crying shame that he is constantly living with this constant doubt hanging over him. Worried that one day his father will see that he is not fit to be his heir (despite everything that he has done) and replace him with his cousin.

But when it comes down to it he has the nerve and the heart that a chief needs to keep his people safe. His cousin is very happy to act the leader but when it comes down to it he doesn’t want to face the dangers of the job. This is shown clearly when Hiccup stands up when an enemy tribe leader demands to know who the heir is. (by the way this ain’t no comical enemy, this is a ‘I will kill you if I can’ kind of enemy’)

In this book we have the introduction of a new villain, Alvin the Treacherous – and something screams at me that he is going to be a recurring villain because, as we all know Villains. Just. Don’t. Die!

Not a let-down at all guys. Lived up to the first book.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a truly extraordinary Viking hero known throughout Vikingdom as "the Dragon Whisperer" ... but it wasn't always so. Travel back to the days when the mighty warrior was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans. Can Hiccup capture a dragon and train it without being torn limb from limb? Join the adventure as the small boy finds a better way to train his dragon and becomes a hero!

I loved the film of this so I was both itching and apprehensive about reading this. After all there is always the risk of the film slaughtering the books or the book being terrible and the film being better.

Either way, something is going to be a disappointment.

BUT I am pleased to announce that in this instance BOTH are brilliant - highly different from each other but both good in their own way.

Moving onto the book.

We have Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III heir to the Hairy Hooligans tribe and quite possibly the worst Viking ever until a giant dragon washes up on the beach near his village ready to eat everyone and then he comes into his own.

Like many books we have the totally average kid who will end up being out hero but what I really enjoyed about this that Hiccup is in a position that we would think would keep him out of the firing line of bullies. After all, he is the chief’s son, and future chief of the tribe. But we (ok, I) would be wrong. He is bullied and put down. And in a strange way that is what I liked most. Despite being in a position that could make him puffed and full of himself he is not. He doesn’t think he is entitled to more than any of the other kids and even views himself as less than them because he is smaller than the rest of them. But in the long run he shows that it is what is inside his heart that makes him a hero. Cheesy I know but super good!

The major difference between the book and the film is that Vikings and dragons are not sworn enemies. The dragons are caught and trained by the Vikings for hunting and travel etc. And it was this difference that made the book all the more enjoyable.  

Toothless – Hiccup’s dragon – is a little terror, refusing to do anything that Hiccup asks him to. And yet, like Hiccup, he is different from his own kind and is bullied by the other dragons. But like Hiccup he comes out on top.

Marvellous first book of a series!