I can’t claim that I haven’t been warned – David Tennant, the narrator of this series, has repeatedly told us at the start of the last few books that this series would be getting darker. Nevertheless, I am a bit shaken at just how bleak Hiccup’s outlook has become – suddenly the nasty bullying he received at the hands of Snotlout during Gobber’s pirating lessons seems cosy…
BLURB: The Dragon Rebellion has begun, bringing the Vikings’ darkest hour upon them. Hiccup has become an 
outcast, but that won’t stop him from going on the most harrowing and important quest of his life. He must find the Dragon’s Jewel in order to save his people… but where should he begin? Don’t miss Hiccup’s most dangerous adventure yet!
Hiccup is now thirteen years old, alone and living on his wits as he is being hunted by both Furious, the dragon leading the rebellion against the Vikings, and his arch-enemy Alvin the Treacherous. Well… he’s not entirely alone. Hiccup has his riding dragon, Windwalker, and of course, naughty little Toothless, his common-or-garden dragon and an ancient frail small dragon, who is currently trying to teach Toothless manners… Right now, the jokes that Toothless provides still had me chuckling aloud – but there were times, too, when I wanted to weep. I’m a granny whose read faaar too many books to be reduced to tears by a comedic coming-of-age series about Vikings and dragons, surely? Apparently not.
The characterisation, worldbuilding and above all – the plotting of this series is a masterclass in how it’s done. Cowell once more swept me up into Hiccup’s madcap, OTT world where every single character has a Dickensian immediacy that pings off the page. And in this book, for the first time, we get to meet Hiccup’s mother, Valhallarama. One of the things I love about this series is that while inevitably the children are the ones with agency, the adults aren’t unduly belittled. Hiccup’s relationship with both his parents is complicated – but particularly in this book, I loved the tenderness and genuine love that is depicted by both parents and the boy, even if they didn’t understand each other.
This one has left the story on a cliffhanger, but even so, I haven’t plunged immediately into the next book. Never mind that it’s a children’s book – I needed a break, albeit a short one, before once more immersing myself into Hiccup’s action-packed, emotional story.
10/10
It sounds like these stories are getting darker as Hiccup grows up, much like Harry Potter. Glad you’re still enjoying the series😁
It does sound like these are getting more dark – the HP similarity in that respect also occurred to me.
Lynn 😀
I’ve only read a couple of books in this series so far but I really enjoyed the ones I read. Interesting that the series has taken a darker turn now that he’s older. I didn’t realize these were available on audiobook either. I may have to go that route and dive back into the series at some point.
Oh yes – it really has become a great deal darker. However, there is still a steady stream of comedy provided by naughty little Toothless, thank goodness:)) And yes – I highly recommend the audiobooks. David Tennant does a fabulous job of narrating the books.
DAVID TENNANT NARRATES THIS SERIES?! Maybe I can get Blondie back into this series with a little help from the Doctor–or as she knows him, Scrooge McDuck…. 🙂
Yes! She may well go for the audio series – and it is SO good:))) You’d love it even if she didn’t.