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kingmediocrity92's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pibblemama17's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
Nothing like the movie, lol. But a fun adventure!
caerulia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
inkysplodge's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Gore, Excrement, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
enchantedbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Being frightened is not the same as being a coward.
I found these audios on my tablet the other day, with no recollection of how I obtained them, or when for that matter.
But as I had them and a 20min commute with nothing to fill, it seemed like fate.
I’ve seen – and loved – all the movies and heard only good things about the audio books. And I was not disappointed. Even though it is very different from the movies, I had an insta love.
I adore Hiccup and Toothless’s relationship, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Toothless has his own voice.
The narration of this audio is excellent. [a:David Tennant|4022439|David Tennant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1415897573p2/4022439.jpg] does an exquisite job; the Scottish accent just adds that little extra awesomeness. In all honesty this book would have been an average three star without his narration.
I found these audios on my tablet the other day, with no recollection of how I obtained them, or when for that matter.
But as I had them and a 20min commute with nothing to fill, it seemed like fate.
I’ve seen – and loved – all the movies and heard only good things about the audio books. And I was not disappointed. Even though it is very different from the movies, I had an insta love.
I adore Hiccup and Toothless’s relationship, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Toothless has his own voice.
The narration of this audio is excellent. [a:David Tennant|4022439|David Tennant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1415897573p2/4022439.jpg] does an exquisite job; the Scottish accent just adds that little extra awesomeness. In all honesty this book would have been an average three star without his narration.
shaurreadsmorder's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
crushedvalkyrie's review against another edition
5.0
So different from the movies and tv series, but such a fun read! My kids and I loved finding the differences and getting to learn about new dragons and characters. So many parts were laugh out loud funny. Watching the joy on my kids faces as they read was awesome!! So excited to read the rest of the series with them!
sharyla's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Plot: A young Viking boy must prove his mettle in a society that is all action and very little thought. As the chief's son there are certain expectations for Hiccup's future which, based on the entirety of Hiccup's person, probably won't be met. That is until a problem bigger than the adults in the village have even imagined shows up and Hiccup and his friends (and they're dragons) save the day.
Review: I am a true Toothless fanatic. I'm an almost 40 year old woman who only half begs her 8 year old to watch How to Train Your Dragon and then happily watches it on her own. My 8 year old has very little interest. I bought this book for her and she has declined to choose it as our chapter read for years. So when I was coming up on Christmas in just a few days, with many books waiting for me under the tree, I decided to pick up the kid's chapter book as a quick read while I waited for the 'real books'.
And then I got completely wrapped up. I would call the movie a reimagining of the book. After page one it is an entirely different story. Not only are there characters you've never met but the dragons and their personalities are completely different. I had a blast reading this book and genuinely laughed out loud on multiple occasions. I truly expected to pick it up, fly through it, and put it down. This was not at all the case, my loved ones absolutely received the same break down they would have if I was reading a spicy fantasy or a great thriller. The illustrations are so different from what you see in the movie, with really only Toothless and the other dragons looking anything similar.
I was truly happy that I chose to read this book, I read a lot of heavy material and this was the light fluffy fun read with no strings that I needed. I highly recommend picking up a kids chapter book the next time you're feeling low.
cornerofmadness's review against another edition
3.0
I knew going in that the book was different than the movie. I didn't expect it to be just the names that the movie used. The book is vastly different, to the point you pretty much won't recognize the characters, especially Toothless.
Hiccup, Fishlegs and the others are going through Viking initiation. They have to steal a baby dragon from the cave. If they fail, they're exiled. Then they must train the dragon to do basically hunting dog stuff, sit fetch, fish etc. If they fail, they're exiled. That's the basic plot.
Hiccup is even more skinny and sort of pathetic because he is thin, intelligent and sucks at sports. Fishlegs is about the same except pudgy. Hiccup is still the son of the leader, Stoic, but he also has a cousin, Snotlout, who wants to be the leader. Snotlout is your stereotypical bully, all brawn, zero brains. And it looks like he might just get his wish. Hiccup is no match for him physically.
As they try to get their dragons, things go very wrong and they are all almost eaten. Snotlout ends up with a Monstrous Nightmare, reserved for the son of the leader and no one steps in to take him away. Hiccup barely got one and only did thanks to his grandfather Old Wrinkly who is something of a psychic. But Toothless is absolutely tiny and laughable.
Training doesn't go well. There is only one rule of dragon training, yell at them. Hiccup isn't good at that but he can actually speak the dragon language, something no one else can. However, it doesn't help him bond much with Toothless. In fact, the dragons are selfish, cowardly and all around not that wonderful. They certainly don't have much charm.
Just when things look their worst, a giant sea dragon wakes up and washes up ready to all of Berk and Hiccup might be their only hope.
Pretend for a moment I haven't seen the movie, I would say that the story is cute enough. It has a good message for young readers. Brains win out over bullying in the end (we all would like to believe that). On the other hand, unlike Harry Potter or Percy Jackson which started with young reader and progressed to young adult, this really is better left to its intended audience. For me it felt like it was meant for 8-12 year olds, which it probably is. They'd enjoy it. As an adult, all I could think about were the huge amount of anachronisms like rugby and dog breeds.
Not taking anything way from a successful series, but this one doesn't really transcend age groups. I'm not even sure why the movie makers bought it other than they must have wanted dragon riding Vikings. Oh and there are no women in this until the very end when we see Hiccup's mother for 3 lines. I rarely say this but this is one place where I thought the movie was better. They're two entirely different beasts so keep that in mind if you pick this up. (and it would be helpful to have an eight year old to share it with).
Hiccup, Fishlegs and the others are going through Viking initiation. They have to steal a baby dragon from the cave. If they fail, they're exiled. Then they must train the dragon to do basically hunting dog stuff, sit fetch, fish etc. If they fail, they're exiled. That's the basic plot.
Hiccup is even more skinny and sort of pathetic because he is thin, intelligent and sucks at sports. Fishlegs is about the same except pudgy. Hiccup is still the son of the leader, Stoic, but he also has a cousin, Snotlout, who wants to be the leader. Snotlout is your stereotypical bully, all brawn, zero brains. And it looks like he might just get his wish. Hiccup is no match for him physically.
As they try to get their dragons, things go very wrong and they are all almost eaten. Snotlout ends up with a Monstrous Nightmare, reserved for the son of the leader and no one steps in to take him away. Hiccup barely got one and only did thanks to his grandfather Old Wrinkly who is something of a psychic. But Toothless is absolutely tiny and laughable.
Training doesn't go well. There is only one rule of dragon training, yell at them. Hiccup isn't good at that but he can actually speak the dragon language, something no one else can. However, it doesn't help him bond much with Toothless. In fact, the dragons are selfish, cowardly and all around not that wonderful. They certainly don't have much charm.
Just when things look their worst, a giant sea dragon wakes up and washes up ready to all of Berk and Hiccup might be their only hope.
Pretend for a moment I haven't seen the movie, I would say that the story is cute enough. It has a good message for young readers. Brains win out over bullying in the end (we all would like to believe that). On the other hand, unlike Harry Potter or Percy Jackson which started with young reader and progressed to young adult, this really is better left to its intended audience. For me it felt like it was meant for 8-12 year olds, which it probably is. They'd enjoy it. As an adult, all I could think about were the huge amount of anachronisms like rugby and dog breeds.
Not taking anything way from a successful series, but this one doesn't really transcend age groups. I'm not even sure why the movie makers bought it other than they must have wanted dragon riding Vikings. Oh and there are no women in this until the very end when we see Hiccup's mother for 3 lines. I rarely say this but this is one place where I thought the movie was better. They're two entirely different beasts so keep that in mind if you pick this up. (and it would be helpful to have an eight year old to share it with).
thebookbrained's review against another edition
3.0
two words: David Tennant
Did I listen to this book just because of him? Absolutely
Did I also enjoy the book? Actually yes
This is a children's book through and through but that doesn't stop adults like me enjoying the more simpler read. I was slightly surprised that the film is very different from the book, quite a few differences. Dragons for one can talk? This did weird me out a little bit and Tennant's voice acting for it made me laugh. It's utterly ridiculous but I could see a younger audience enjoying it
I think I'll be continuing the series
Did I listen to this book just because of him? Absolutely
Did I also enjoy the book? Actually yes
This is a children's book through and through but that doesn't stop adults like me enjoying the more simpler read. I was slightly surprised that the film is very different from the book, quite a few differences. Dragons for one can talk? This did weird me out a little bit and Tennant's voice acting for it made me laugh. It's utterly ridiculous but I could see a younger audience enjoying it
I think I'll be continuing the series