How To Break A Dragon's Heart (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
AudioBook ReviewStars Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 5 The story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, continues on, with this story carrying more plot and background information for Hiccup than in any of the earlier stories. Yes, there is an adventure and a chance for Hiccup to use his brain and a bit of luck to save his friends, but this story has a mixed result, foreshadowing the future in ways that earlier books didn’t. Hiccup is presented with the story of the prophecy, and how he came to get his name. Sadly, the stories of the two previous Hiccups are tragic, with heartbreak and hurt feelings that rock Hiccup’s world. Similar to the earlier Hiccups: small, optimistic, intelligent and resourceful, Hiccup the third realizes that the prophecy is almost true. His mother is Valhallarama, and to him, this makes all the difference. He again must use his considerable brain to puzzle out a solution: fortunately Toothless is a bit like a magpie, and gathers all things shiny: a key to everything allows Hiccup to escape the tree-prison he is held in, to find Camicazi and rescue Fishlegs from the upcoming ceremony where he will be sacrificed to the beast. While Hiccup has many skills, perhaps the most prodigious is his memory, a near encyclopedic recall for events and facts: this allows him to recognize the best as Furious, the Maximus dragon that once was tied as a brother to Hiccup the second. Not entirely triumphant, while Hiccup does manage to save his friends and the day, mostly, there are dire warnings from the very resentful Furious, dire warnings that Hiccup prefers to believe he can overcome. All of the returning characters, Hiccup’s misjudgment of the power of a promise, the questions about his prophecy and the addition of adventures and last minute rescues into the story, moving the story into a slightly darker realm, perhaps signaling the end of our young hero’s childhood. Narration again is provided by David Tennant with his facility for voices of both returning and new characters, the performance is a treat. Tennant presents a sense of enjoyment and delight in the story, managing to add gravitas to the darker moments, but never losing the playfulness and personalities of the characters that he voices so well. The epilogue in this story gives moments for pause, as the now older Hiccup is recalling the events of his youth, with the added perspective of knowing what has happened, and unlike the epilogues of the earlier books: there really isn’t a lesson here. It feels like a hint and a touch of a warning, letting readers know that everything is changing and will be different soon: fitting as readers and our young heroes are growing up. Another wonderful installment, these are stories sure to become favorites for many.I received AudioCD copies of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. I really wish I had written this review right after I finished reading "How to Break a Dragon's Heart" for the first time.This is, after all, the start of the turning point in the HTTYD book series between the happy-go-lucky, seemingly unconnected adventures of Hiccup... into something far more important, connected, and dark.Maybe I shall have to write a better review once I reread this book.
What do You think about How To Break A Dragon's Heart (2000)?
These are getting awfully sad! :( Honest to god I teared up at the end...
—LilSyko1
I love this series so much. I hope she never stops writing them.
—mermicorns
