Book: How to Train Your Dragon (How to Train Your Dragon 1) by Cressida Cowell
Release Date: February 1st 2003
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Synopsis
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?
Review
Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon is a animation movie that I love. So when I found out it was based on a book I had to read it. Going in I knew that it was only based and that the story would differ from the one in the movie, so that didn’t bother me in the slightest. I do think the books that came out with the movie cover make it confusing to those that don’t know this.
This middle grade book is a very quick read. The illustrations that were in my edition were cute, but at some points I felt there were a bit too much added that took away from the story. Plot wise it progresses nicely. Hiccup is very relatable for most of the younger audience. He has a lot to live up to for his father’s standards and he is being picked on. But he has a good heart and is still willing to help others despite not always being treated well himself. He has a smart mind and that is what saves them in the end. Though I don’t think Hiccup shows too well how to train a dragon. Don’t do what he did.
Of course this book has dragons. You can’t miss it with a title like that. I like how there are different ones, how they all have a mind of their own. And in this book they actually talk somewhat. Especially Hiccup’s Toothless (so very different from the movie) was somewhat cute and snotty. And annoying.
One thing that did really bother me was that there were practically no females in this book. It might have been a boys only class that Hiccup was in but there had to have been some girls in that village, right? Other than that it was a cute middle grade read.
A Dance With Books 
I was not aware that there were books until last year. I do want to read them, but finding the time is difficult. I want to see if maybe my library has the audiobooks with David Tennant narrating. I wasn’t aware of there the no girls situation. Geesh! Thanks for the review. 🙂
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Finding time is hard, especially with an overflowing TBR. 😉 They are however quick reads so if you do come across it they wouldn’t take up too much of your time.
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No girls? I’m glad the movie added them then! I really love the movies, so if I find the books I think I’ll give them a go 🙂
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Yeah, I was really glad the movie added them as well. They are at least fun and quick reads. 🙂
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