There is a deep humanity to the novel's resolution, which understands that endings are not really endings at all, and that life contains a mixture of the good, the evil and the just plain ordinary. The best children's books make the world magical. As every child looks for Narnia in the back of a wardrobe, so I hope that, for years to come, children will see dragons all around them.
How to fight a dragon's fury is a resounding finale, full of fire and smoke, love, honour and old fashioned thrills. It's a triumph. -- Philip Womack * The Daily Telegraph *
Very funny * Evening Echo (Cork) *
Praise for the series: Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books fill every spread with scales and fangs and typographical jeux d'esprit * The Independent *
I am really sad this series has ended because it's my absolute favourite series. I have enjoyed all of Hiccup's adventures and really wish dragons were real; I would love to go into my garden and discover a Riproarer or maybe a triple-headed Deadly Shadow * The Guardian *
Brilliantly written * Woman's Way *
An epic finale -- Noah Sanders, aged 10 * Northern Scot Midweek Extra *
There are some really touching moments alongside rip roaring adventure...I am going to really miss Hiccup's dragon Toothless * South Wales Evening Post *
Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books stand out not only for their humour, excitement, and startlingly vivid descriptive language, but also, more surprisingly, for their profound meditations on complex political, historical, emotional and moral themes. They incite children to reason and to question, and inspire their imagination and inquisitiveness. * Philosophy Now Magazine *
Cowell still writes these with pep and inventiveness * The Daily Telegraph *
If your child's already a fan they'll devour this in a few hours; if not, cancel all Christmas plans and prepare for some mammoth reading sessions * The School Run *
My children's book of the year... [How to Train Your Dragon] has kept a consistent flow of brilliant characters, jokes, stylish writing, illustrations and ideas - and the finale is tremendous. Her geeky, once-despised Viking hero, Hiccup, saves humanity (and dragons) from certain doom in an unpredictable, satisfying way. This series is one of the greatest ever written for those between eight and 12. Buy them all and your holidays will be blessed with perfect peace. -- Amanda Craig * The New Statesman *
Wihtout question, Cowell has crafted a modern classic. The world she has created, throwing readers back into a time when dragons and humans inhabited the same place, is every bit as consuming and deep as Harry's in Hogwarts ... And so the fight -- part Doctor Who, part biblical epic -- begins.gripping, a worthy end to something very special * The Big Issue *
Cressida Cowell won the Philosophy Now prize this year ... it turns out that the adventures of Hiccup, the Heroes and the dragons raise big questions about courage, parent-child relationships, friendship, bullying, what is means to be a boy and particularly, what is truly valuable. This opens with a sock-it-to-'em chapter and builds from there * The Sunday Times *
This book is awesome; a truly fitting finale for such an amazing series * The guardian.com *
Flaming good * Daily Express *
The future is in the hands of a popular hero, Hiccup, who'll make you laugh along the way. Superb illustrations, too. * Chase *
The story is full of excitement, danger, magic and triumph. This tremendous final adventure for Hiccup and his dragons is unmissable * The Week Junior *
[Toothless] is the world's most adorable dragon, and there are probably very few who would argue that * Express.co.uk *
With a story that soars and dips, twists and turns like a dragon's flight path, this is the brilliant final episode in a series that belongs on the bookshelves of every child who loves a turbulent thriller of a take * Daily Record *
If your children haven't discovered these brilliant stories yet, they're missing a trick. * Daily Express *
Now out in paperback is
How to Fight a Dragon's Fury, the 12th and last in the series of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III's hilariously haphazard instruction manuals on how to be a hero the hard way * Evening Echo (Cork) *
This is my favourite book ever! It's about different types of dragons, how they behave and how to find them! ... I adore this book so much that I couldn't stop reading it! * The guardian.com *
Cowell addresses some big issues in this magical and mysterious tale that is bound to become a modern classic * The Independent *
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.'
* Amanda Craig, The Times *
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. * Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times *
... raucous and slapstick ... liberally illustrated with [Cressida Cowell's] riotous drawings, notes and maps. * The Financial Times *
[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. * Books for Keeps *
'a hilarious and gripping adventure, beautifully paced and studded with great dramatic scenes.' * Amanda Craig, Times *
Bulging with good jokes, funny drawings and dramatic scenes, it is absolutely wonderful. * Independent on Sunday *
'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.' * Daily Telegraph *
'is not only funny, well written and thrilling, but also wise about what we owe those who love us.' * The Times *
'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.' * Woman's Weekly *
Top stuff. * Daily Telegraph *
Especially good... raises the series to classic status. * Times *
Ceaselessly inventive... young readers are lucky to have her. ***** * Books For Keeps *
Always thrilling, funny and brilliantly illustrated. * Daily Express *
By turns hilarious and wise, it's never predictable, brilliantly illustrated and always delightful. * The Times *
As gripping and as rousing as ever... as with the best children's literature, these books are about much bigger things: endurance, loyalty, friendship and love. And Cowell's illustrations and visual storytelling enhance the action no end. * The Daily Telegraph *
Exciting adventures, great characters and plenty of jokes and funny drawings make Hiccups adventures some of our favourite books. * tBk Mag *
Embellished with plenty of the clashing fonts, ink blots and scribbly pencil drawings that make this series of books so unique. How To Betray a Dragon's Hero takes the saga to a completely new level and is an enormously enjoyable read. * Bookbag *
Cressida Cowell's 11th and penultimate volume in the phenomenal How to Train Your Dragon series. * Sunday Times *
A smart, funny read that will keep children on the edges of their seats. * Daily Express *
If you haven't discovered How To Train Your Dragon you are missing out on one of the greatest inventions of modern children's literature. * The Guardian *
The penultimate book in the popular series. * The Schools Advertiser *
