How to Break a Dragon's Heart (How to Train Your Dragon Film) [Paperback]

Cressida Cowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2010 | Series: How to Train Your Dragon Film

THE STORY CONTINUES in the eighth volume of Hiccup's How to Train Your Dragon memoirs...Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was an awesome sword-fighter, a dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking Hero who ever lived. But it wasn't always like that. Hiccup's memoirs look back to when Hiccup was just an ordinary boy, and finding it very hard to be a Hero. Hiccup must battle Berserks, dodge Scarers, complete the Impossible Task and save Fishlegs from being fed to the Beast! And all while being hunted down by an old enemy with a dark secret about the Lost Throne. What's a Hero to do? How to Train Your Dragon is a DreamWorks film starring Gerrard Butler, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill, out on DVD in October 2010 adapted from the best selling How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell. Read the rest of Hiccup's exploits in the How to Train Your Dragon series in How to Train Your Dragon, How to Be a Pirate, How to Speak Dragonese, How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse, How to Twist a Dragon's Tale, A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons, and How to Ride a Dragon's Storm. Check out the all-new Hiccup website at www.howtotrainyourdragonbooks.com. It's the place to go for games, downloads, activities and sneak peeks! Read all about Hiccup and all of your favourite characters, learn to speak Dragonese and train your own Dragon to do tricks!

Editorial Reviews

Review

'If light amusement is required, Cressida Cowell's How to Break a Dragon's Heart delivers all it promises. There are lots of illustrations and a playfulness with language that will draw in even the most reluctant reader.' -- Daily Telegraph 'Cressida Cowell's splendid series about the nerdy Viking Hiccup and his tiny dragon Toothless remain perennial favourites, and the latest, How to Break a Dragon's Heart is not only funny, well written and thrilling, but also wise about what we owe those who love us.' -- Amanda Craig, The Times 'If you haven't discovered Hiccup yet, you're missing out on one of the greatest inventions of modern children's literature.' -- Julia Eccleshare, Guardian children's editor '... full of charm ... imaginative and bursting with inventive, off-the-wall humour, making them great stories to be read aloud.' -- Waterstones Books Quarterly 'Ahead of the film of the same title due to be released next March, this is a special edition of the first book in the uproarious series about Viking Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. Highly original, and full of useful tips for dragon-owners everywhere.' -- Woman's Weekly 'With consistently funny stories told in inventive language - including the opportunity to extend your knowledge of Dragonese - these books always entertain.' -- Waterstone's Books Quarterly 'another triumph from the creative pen of Cressida Cowell.' -- Writeaway.org '... inspired series ... its enchantment lies primarily in the comical, affectionate and often irritable relationship between Hiccup (the only nerd in the violent Viking Hooligan tribe) and his runty little dragon Toothless.' -- Amanda Craig, The Times PRAISE FOR HICCUP:'Fiercely exciting and laugh-aloud funny, it is as full of joy for children of 7+ who have given up reading as for those who love it.' -- Amanda Craig, The Times Irresistably funny, exciting and endearing -- Amanda Craig, The Times CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK: This book is great fun and has a Blackadderish sense of humour ... full of the sort of jokes that will make schoolboys snigger. -- Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times How to Train Your Dragon is a delightful narrative caper... It offers a challenging read to 11-year-olds, and rewards reading aloud, especially for those who relish an element of theatre at story time. -- Sunday Herald, Glasgow ... raucous and slapstick ... liberally illustrated with [Cressida Cowell's] riotous drawings, notes and maps. -- The Financial Times [Cressida Cowell] puts a contemporary spin on the old brains over brawn moral and brings the story to a climax with a thrilling dragon duel. Lots for lots of different readers to enjoy. -- Books for Keeps 'a hilarious and gripping adventure, beautifully paced and studded with great dramatic scenes.' -- Amanda Craig, Times Bulging with good jokes, funny drawings and dramatic scenes, it is absolutely wonderful. -- Independent on Sunday 'Cowell writes laugh-out-loud books with plenty of boy appeal Cowells anarchic drawings suit the slapstick humour.' -- The Herald 'If light amusement is required, Cressida Cowell's How to Break a Dragon's Heart delivers all it promises. There are lots of illustrations and a playfulness with language that will draw in even the most reluctant reader.' -- Daily Telegraph 20091201 'is not only funny, well written and thrilling, but also wise about what we owe those who love us.' -- The Times 20091201 'Ahead of the film of the same title due to be released next March, this is a special edition of the first book in the uproarious series about Viking Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. Highly original, and full of useful tips for dragon-owners everywhere.' -- Woman's Weekly 20091201

About the Author

Cressida Cowell grew up mostly in Central London. 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. She lives in Hammersmith, London with her husband, three children and a hamster, Mini.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Childrens (February 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340996927
• ISBN-13: 978-0340996928
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cressida Cowell grew up mostly in Central London. 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 has reached over 100,000 sales and is now published in over 30 languages. A Dreamworks feature film is due to be released in 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, three children and two cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!, December 31, 2009

By 

M. Sarrao (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: How to Break a Dragon's Heart (Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III) (Paperback)

This is the newest episode in the adventures of Hiccup, a nerdy, bookish viking boy who is heir to his tribe's leadership. The strong, brutish, and dumb vikings make fun of him. But he uses brains and ingenuity to prevail. He owns a small, disobedient dragon and has nerdy best friend, Fishlegs. My son (now 11) has been reading these since he was 8. He is a reluctant reader, but he finishes these books in a day or day-and-a-half. He is getting a bit old for them, now, but still wanted to read this one. He is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming movie (should be out in 2010). This book seems to be available only in the UK, and I'm not sure why. I ordered it from the UK, though. Shipping was reasonable, and it arrived very quickly! I highly recommend this, and all the Hiccup books, especially for boys who are reluctant readers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The charming zaniness we expected with a more serious edge, August 30, 2010

By 

Backroads "Scatter-brained book fan" (Cache Valley, Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: How to Break a Dragon's Heart (How to Train Your Dragon Film) (Paperback)

I have to say this installment surprised me. This is very much the kind of book to be expected from this series and certainly rises to every standard of Cressida Cowell's work. However, those expecting the same silly and light craziness may also be surprised by the further stab into the heart this book brings. Is that a bad thing? No! Cowell has always managed to bring in plenty of subtle emotion, but this one shows growth in that department that should be acknowledged when a book starts with an old Viking saga of family betrayal and murder and a (yet another) kidnapping.

Be expecting epic here.

Trouble arises when a love letter to the Princess Tantrum is discovered--written by someone from Berk. Hiccup takes the blame, and finds himself a fiance--and in danger of being sacrificed to a dragon. Expanding on the story is a delve into Berk history with one of the most solemn story lines yet to appear in this series.

If it sounds too serious, keep in mind that this book is everything it should be. There is plenty of silliness and humor, and Cowell extends her wild creativity to delight any reader. The snappy humor and writing is still in going strong, and I think the contrast between the wackiness and the heartbreak is absolutely magical. So yes, this needs to be read by anyone who can appreciate the crazy storybook wonder.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book, October 10, 2010

By 

kevin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Break a Dragon's Heart (How to Train Your Dragon Film) (Paperback)

This is a really terrific book! We got the first How To Train Your Dragon book about a year ago, and have been hooked ever since! We like to read the books in order, because you really get a better understanding of the characters and the special bond between all of them. Cressida Cowell is a wonderful author who draws the reader into these heart pounding adventures, while still making you laugh out loud! We are looking forward to BOOK 9!!!!!!