Customer Reviews

How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse (The Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup the Viking)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the 4th book in this series about Hiccup Horrendous, unlikely heir to the Viking "throne" of the Hooligan tribe. These books were supposedly written as memoirs by Hiccup when he was an old man (and later found and translated by the author). This makes them less scary because readers know he couldn't have died during any of his adventures. Hiccup is not large and scary like the other viking boy bullys, but he has a great brain and is loyal. He is also a "dragon whisperer." As in the previous 3 books, he uses his talents to help his tribe. He ends up "saving the day" and comes one step closer to growing up and becoming chief, like his father. These books are full of dragons, sword play and "elementary boy" humor. For example, in every book something (ie, a monster) blows up or blows its nose, and the characters end up covered in disgusting snot or slime. They are also full of action (ie, running from dragons, being captured by enemies, etc.) My son, 8, LOVED this book as much as he loved the previous 3. He has always enjoyed playing with pirate and knight toys and reading books about them. Now he has added Vikings to this list (they are similar, after all). My son is a "reluctant reader," but he'll sometimes sit and read about Hiccup for 45 minutes (that's a lot for him.) This book is pur fantasy. I recommend it for any child who enjoys fantasy, pirates. and/or vikings.

this is the 4th book in the series, my son is currently on book 6. He is 7 and it is a little above his reading level, probably best for 3rd or 4th grade reading level, but his Dad reads it to him every night before bed (my son will read a page or two of it, but then lets his dad finish out the chapter). The series has a little bodily functions humor - which little boys find hillarious, but it isn't too bad. The movie they made doesn't quite go along with the story line of these books, but the characters and dragons are all the same. We had gotten the first 3 books from the library, but he loved them so much we have decided to purchase all of them (even the ones he has already read) to keep them around, incase he wants to read them again when he gets a little older (I know I have read the Lord of the rings trilogy at least 3 times, and wish there were more than just 3 books). Ms Cowell has really produced a masterpiece series, and I hope they make more movies based on this series, especially the young toothless (he is cutely devious little dragon).

Once again my eight year old daughter devoured this book within two days. Love the characters and the adventures they have. I can't say it enough soooooo much better than the movie.

Poor Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, the undersized Viking and only son of the chief, can never catch a break. Each book some awful adventure seems to come his way that requires him to just manage to scrape by. Book 4 is no different, but still the series does not lose any of its charm. It's just one of those things you read and can't help but love. It's just so...honest.

In this book, Hiccup must set out to the Hysterics (a tribe normally separated from the rest of the Vikings) in order to retrieve the antidote to Fishlegs's illness. Against his father's strict orders of course, since Stoick the Vast seems to think that Fishlegs is not an appropriate companion for the future chief. As Fishlegs is ill, he is joined by Hiccup's newest friend Kamacazi, which is fine by me because it changed things up a bit. And because for some reason I like her (though I won't lie, I still miss Astrid of the movie).

One thing I like about this book is it manages to provide us with a surprising twist without getting too complicated. I can't say that for many books.

There isn't much more to say about this book other than that every detail is excellent-even the little drawings and scrawls in the margins. I can only imagine what else will happen to Hiccup before he becomes the Hero the books tell us he will become, but I'm sure each adventure will be enjoyable.

Though this book is extremely well-written, it does require the ability to convert one's mind to that of a 10-year-old boy to fully appreciate the incredibly juvenile and zany humor.

If one can do that, this book is an utter gem of storytelling that mixes a surprising amount of poignancy and "awww" moments among the wild adventures and all-around silliness. Amazingly, this one has a serious plot, albeit a serious plot involving mysterious arrows-in-potatoes akin to the Arthurian sword-in-the-stone.

Cowell keeps up the strong, tongue-in-cheek writing with all the talent and wonder of her picture book skill. Same magic, just for a slightly older audience. Here is a woman that can tell a crazy story while still pulling at your heart strings and closing with incredible writing and one heck of a moral. Excellent book.

I have 11 grandchildren the youngest 9 are ages 11 to 2- months.Boys and girls all love these books and if you like what you are reading you can't wait to get the next book.We like reading them together.

I saw the movie, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've now purchased 1-5 of the "How to Train Your Dragon" books and intend to purchase the movie when it is released. They'll make a great gift for a young person.

excellent book for boys. My son doesn't like to read but this book got read 3 times and 2 book reports made on it.

My 7 year old son loved this book, which was irreverent enough to keep his attention. Anything with a dragon is usually a plus. After reading this one, he went on to another Heroic Misadventure of Hiccup book without missing a beat.

Very difficult to find good, interesting books for boys in middle school, and this was one that he really liked very much.