HOW TO STEAL A DRAGON'S SWORD

Cressida Cowell

May 2014 · How to Train Your Dragon Book 9 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by David Tennant

About this audiobook

The How to Train Your Dragon series chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Viking underdog Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his dragon, Toothless. In Book 9, a dragon rebellion is coming--filled with the meanest, nastiest dragons in the Archipelago. Razor-wings, Tonguetwisters, and Vampire Ghouldeaths are attacking Vikings and seem to be seeking one soul in particular: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third! Only a King can save them...and only a champion with all of the King's Lost Things can be King. In his adventures, Hiccup has collected quite a few "things" himself. But can a scrawny Viking save the entire Archipelago from certain doom? To find out, Hiccup will have to outwit a witch, fight his arch-enemy, and beat back an army of bloodthirsty dragons with just one sword.

Ratings and reviews

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 5 Coming to the end of this lovely series, I certainly will miss it. Fortunately, although there are currently just 10 titles produced in Audio, I have been told that book 11 (to wrap up the series) is slated to go into production in the spring of 2015. So I don’t yet have to say goodbye to this clever fantasy. By this installment of the series, you will have needed to follow along, too many ongoing situations and unresolved issues come to a climax, and without the information from the earlier titles, you will be hopelessly lost. BUT, that is hardly a hardship as this story is possibly the most adventure-packed, action-filled and satisfying (until the cliffhanger) of the stories, with Cowell’s skill hitting a high note, and her subtle nod to the film version of the series that is quietly added gives a taste for a movie night. The dragons are fussy, a new King choice brings us back memories of the earlier books, and Cowell does a masterful job in depicting just HOW difficult it is to grow up. Toothless is more spoilt and a touch more smart-mouthed, the witch (remember her?) is back to cause mayhem, and Alvin the Treacherous just WON’T go away. Yes, there are funny bits and many of the Vikings aren’t that bright, there’s still humor and fun as Hiccup works out all of the pitfalls on this latest quest, and, as I said… a cliffhanger. Narration is again from David Tennant – and there really isn’t much to say about him that I haven’t already. Flawless, with unique accents, pitch, tone and pacing clearly distinguishes each character, you know who IS speaking before they are identified. For the narration alone, this is a story worth investigating as Tennant brings all of the characters to life in the BEST story time ever. Really – it is. I love being read to (and have since a child) and the interest in following along is piqued with the changes in pitch, tone and accent. Particularly amusing is the lisping and stuttering Toothless as he excuses his own bad behavior or acts not unlike a spoiled child. I truly will miss this series, certainly a new favorite of mine for children right up there with the wonder of Hogwarts and the worlds created by Tamora Pierce. I received an audiocd of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility

About the author

Cressida Cowell lives in London with her husband, Simon; children Maisie, Clementine, and Alexander; and two cats, Lily and Baloo. In addition to translating Hiccup's memoirs, she has written and illustrated picture books including Hiccup, the Viking Who Was Seasick, Little Bo Peep's Library Book, and That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown. Her website is www.cressidacowell.co.uk.