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dbgk32's review against another edition
5.0
NICE, very nice...if only some ridiculous movie studio would jump on this story and recreate it in the animated world. Oh wait, they are...How I count the days for the release of Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon!!!
jitter's review against another edition
5.0
I AM SO PISSED OFF BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST SERIES I HAVE READ IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND IT'S AIMED TO KIDS.
I teared up in the end, legit Studio Ghibli tears. IN PUBLIC. -SHAKES FIST- 13/10 would reread
EDIT:
Series review
I thought long before writing this review, and to be honest, I have been thinking about it all through resuming my reading of the series.
I will start by saying that this has been, by far and without question, the best series I have read in the past five years and that is counting both children, YA, and adult book series combined. ([a:Rick Riordan|15872|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383677264p2/15872.jpg]'s book series are pretty close but I enjoy the way HTTYD is written much more)
I think it's amazing because of several reasons.
1. Much like Tolkien's works, the hero of the story is not the strongest, or the one with the most flashy/big dragon, or someone with Powers™.
Hiccup is just a simple boy, even worse than that—he's undersized and weak and not very good at this being a Viking business. Granted, he's the son of a chief but that seems to make his predicament even worse since he doesn't seem to be fit to be a chief in the future. His best friend is similarly weak but they still try and make it through their Viking training program.
2. It doesn't conform to gender norms.
Look at the ladies of this series, people. That's how you write strong and solid women. (Again, another big praise to Rick Riordan here for the same reasons)
3. It drops wonderful wisdom between the actions scenes.
There are brilliant messages all throughout the story that flow easily into the story without interrupting and had me sitting down and bookmarking each and every one of them for later.
4. The villains.
It has been a while since I found myself wishing I could reach into the pages and thoroughly strangle someone. The villains are superb and while slightly extra (this is a fairytale after all) they also read suspiciously familiar to real life dangerous people.
5. THAT ONE REDEMPTION ARC
'Nuff said.
6a. The art.
It's not the best art, of course, but the books are filled with it in a non intrusive way, and more often than not, in a way that helps emphasize the story.
6b. David Tennant.
The audiobooks are read by David Tennant in his very glorious very Scottish accent. His voices are incredible and I am sad that I will be next moving on to an audiobook that he isn't reading. ;_;
(Fave voices: Fishlegs, the Witch, Wodensfang, Toothless)
7. Camicazi.
She gets her own special entry. The end.
8. The ending.
You know you have bonded with the characters and the author has delivered a seriously kickass ending when you tear up in public and cry legit studio Ghibli tears.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a fast, heart-wrenching, brilliant read, try these books. You won't be disappointed.
I teared up in the end, legit Studio Ghibli tears. IN PUBLIC. -SHAKES FIST- 13/10 would reread
EDIT:
Series review
I thought long before writing this review, and to be honest, I have been thinking about it all through resuming my reading of the series.
I will start by saying that this has been, by far and without question, the best series I have read in the past five years and that is counting both children, YA, and adult book series combined. ([a:Rick Riordan|15872|Rick Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383677264p2/15872.jpg]'s book series are pretty close but I enjoy the way HTTYD is written much more)
I think it's amazing because of several reasons.
1. Much like Tolkien's works, the hero of the story is not the strongest, or the one with the most flashy/big dragon, or someone with Powers™.
Hiccup is just a simple boy, even worse than that—he's undersized and weak and not very good at this being a Viking business. Granted, he's the son of a chief but that seems to make his predicament even worse since he doesn't seem to be fit to be a chief in the future. His best friend is similarly weak but they still try and make it through their Viking training program.
2. It doesn't conform to gender norms.
Look at the ladies of this series, people. That's how you write strong and solid women. (Again, another big praise to Rick Riordan here for the same reasons)
3. It drops wonderful wisdom between the actions scenes.
There are brilliant messages all throughout the story that flow easily into the story without interrupting and had me sitting down and bookmarking each and every one of them for later.
4. The villains.
It has been a while since I found myself wishing I could reach into the pages and thoroughly strangle someone. The villains are superb and while slightly extra (this is a fairytale after all) they also read suspiciously familiar to real life dangerous people.
5. THAT ONE REDEMPTION ARC
'Nuff said.
6a. The art.
It's not the best art, of course, but the books are filled with it in a non intrusive way, and more often than not, in a way that helps emphasize the story.
6b. David Tennant.
The audiobooks are read by David Tennant in his very glorious very Scottish accent. His voices are incredible and I am sad that I will be next moving on to an audiobook that he isn't reading. ;_;
(Fave voices: Fishlegs, the Witch, Wodensfang, Toothless)
7. Camicazi.
She gets her own special entry. The end.
8. The ending.
You know you have bonded with the characters and the author has delivered a seriously kickass ending when you tear up in public and cry legit studio Ghibli tears.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a fast, heart-wrenching, brilliant read, try these books. You won't be disappointed.
anyamaria323's review against another edition
5.0
My husband downloaded this from the library on the way to the Colombus Zoo with our niece and nephew in the back, fighting. Once it started, they were quiet the rest of the ride there, and the entire ride back.
The story is very well written, very entertaining.
The narration was sublime! I'm a huge David Tennant fan, and he does different voices for each character and everything.
Overall, it was amazing, and I will probably be buying all the audiobooks from this series in the future.
The story is very well written, very entertaining.
The narration was sublime! I'm a huge David Tennant fan, and he does different voices for each character and everything.
Overall, it was amazing, and I will probably be buying all the audiobooks from this series in the future.
hollind's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kittymommyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Engaging, humorous story AND read by David Tennant? *swoon* *thud* DED.
annatsp's review against another edition
5.0
This is a super awesomely hilarious book. I see why they made it into a cartoon, which I should probably get round to watching some time in the future.
Also, now I want to go find all the other books...
*sigh*
Also, now I want to go find all the other books...
*sigh*
maria_rb's review against another edition
4.0
This author knows how to craft the best insults!!! And while this book isn’t what the movie made of these characters, it is a fantastic tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.
melissa_withthelonglastname's review against another edition
Better than I expected -- but still not quite as good as the movie!
katinaroberts's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful. Seriously. We listened to the David Tennant audiobook version with the kids, and everyone loved it. It’s silly, it’s suspenseful, and not too scary for our 5 and 8 year olds. The 10 and 12 year olds (and the adults) loved it too, so that’s why I’m giving it 5 stars.
(Also, I’ve never seen the movie versions, so I can’t speak to any similarities or differences).
(Also, I’ve never seen the movie versions, so I can’t speak to any similarities or differences).
brightredglow's review against another edition
4.0
Fun and cute. I can definitely understand why it is popular.