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How to Train Your Dragon: How to Steal a Dragon's Sword

Book 9

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How to Train Your Dragon: How to Steal a Dragon's Sword

By: Cressida Cowell
Narrated by: David Tennant
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About this listen

 The story continues in the ninth volume of Hiccup's How to Train Your Dragon memoirs read by David Tennant.

Bad times have come to the Archipelago. Ever since the woods of Berserk burned down, it is almost as if the world is cursed. Dragons are starting to revolt against their Masters. The waters have risen, flooding fields and washing whole villages away. But worse still, the wicked witch Excellinor has returned. Can Hiccup find the King's Things and win the sword-fighting contest to stop Alvin the Treacherous from becoming King of the Wilderwest?

How to Train Your Dragon is a DreamWorks film starring Gerrard Butler, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill, out on DVD adapted from the best selling How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell. Listen to the rest of Hiccup's exploits 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, How to Ride a Dragon's Storm and How to Break a Dragon's Heart. Check out the website for games, downloads, activities and sneak peeks! Hear all about Hiccup and all of your favourite characters, learn to speak Dragonese and train your own Dragon to do tricks!

(P) Hodder Children's Books 2013©2011 Cressida Cowell Fantasy Fiction Humourous Fiction Literature & Fiction Monsters Scary Stories Science Fiction & Fantasy Dragons Royalty Heartfelt Magic Users

Critic Reviews

The ninth book in Cowell's Dragon series... raises questions about courage and loyalty, and it's funny too. (The Sunday Times' 100 Best Children's Books)
Is, as always, thrilling, funny and brilliantly illustrated
Top stuff
A hilarious plot which also manages to be quite gripping...Cowell is a splendid storyteller with a gift for inventing outlandish names...ceaselessly inventive...young readers are lucky to have her
Utterly fantastical but emotionally resonant
Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books are national treasures; this is especially good, with a wisdom about heroism which raises the series to classic status
The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit
Short chapters, clever slapstick, child-friendly character names ...plus goofy, childlike drawings will keep even reluctant readers engrossed, laughing and turning the pages
This highly amusing adventure story with a dash of toilet humour is perfect reading for boys and girls alike
PRAISE FOR THE HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON BOOKS:
'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.'
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.
... raucous and slapstick ... liberally illustrated with [Cressida Cowell's] riotous drawings, notes and maps.
[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.
'a hilarious and gripping adventure, beautifully paced and studded with great dramatic scenes.'
Bulging with good jokes, funny drawings and dramatic scenes, it is absolutely wonderful.
'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.'
'is not only funny, well written and thrilling, but also wise about what we owe those who love us.'
'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.'
Top stuff.
Especially good... raises the series to classic status.
Ceaselessly inventive... young readers are lucky to have her. *****
Always thrilling, funny and brilliantly illustrated.
All stars
Most relevant
very good pretty much everything and I think you should have a go at it very much!

very good book!!.

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Would you listen to How to Steal a Dragon's Sword again? Why?

Yes! I loved the narration and there is so much going on with the story I want to go back and hear the bits that may have wooshed by. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III's story is a grand one and continues to build.

What did you like best about this story?

Cressida Cowell is so witty. So many little clever moments that made me laugh out loud. Even the chapter headings make you giggle. I know this is "kids" book but who isn't a kid really? The names of characters make me chuckle just to think of them (Stoic the Vast, Snot Loud, Old Wrinkly, Fish Legs, Madguts). I can't imagine how she came up with them. The different types of dragons too are creative in name and menace. The various tribal names are special too.

Have you listened to any of David Tennant’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I love David Tennant's narration and it was his name that brought me to this book. I had seen the "How to Train Your Dragon" movie but had not read any of the books but thought I would give this a go because of him.David doesn't let you down. He holds his characterisation. His Scottish accent is great for narrating this tale though one time I went "what was that" and realised it was just a "broad accent" moment. He is great at pace and tone - no mono-tone reading from this chap. If you don't get pulled in by his reading you should probably give-up... or at least try one more time.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, giggle and a few "Oh no!" moments throughout. Flashburn "You may cheer now" - the ultimate hero and so full of himself - makes me laugh. Tennant's choice for the witch's voice is great - spooky but makes me laugh at the same time "Doom has come to the Archipelago!"

Any additional comments?

This is a great story and if you haven't read any of the other books (like me) you should be fine listening to this. Cressida likes to add the odd explanation throughout and points you to other novels if you want more info, but you should have not problem enjoying this story. There is a website dedicated to this topic so there is more info there too. Statement of obvious - dragons are little and big - don't bring images of "other" dragons to this tale but listen to descriptions and picture that. Musical lead-in as each chapter begins is nice and not cheesy as some musical moments in audio productions can be. The only let-down is there is still more to go for this hero and his tale, so we will need to purchase those when they are ready.

A Hero's Tale With Oodles of Action

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Me and my family absolutely loved it. David tennant’s storytelling was simply amazing.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone at any age.

Absolutely brilliant

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Why is it called how to steal a dragons sword? I for one saw no sword stealing actions in the book!

The title

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Any additional comments?

The book is great, but David Tennant makes the story really come alive. He is
exceptional in the way he makes every character unique. Love,love,love David Tennant's narration. My daughter & her 2 kids also loved it.

David Tennant is absolutely brilliant.

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