THE STORY CONTINUES in the eighth volume of Hiccup’s How to Train Your Dragon memoirs…Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was an awesome sword-fighter, a dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking Hero who ever lived. But it wasn’t always like that. Hiccup’s memoirs look back to when Hiccup was just an ordinary boy, and finding it very hard to be a Hero. Hiccup must battle Berserks, dodge Scarers, complete the Impossible Task and save Fishlegs from being fed to the Beast! And all while being hunted down by an old enemy with a dark secret about the Lost Throne. What’s a Hero to do?

This book is the 8th book in the How to Train Your Dragon” series. And I need to admit that I might be losing interested in this series. Because I didn’t t like it as much as I have liked the previous books in this series and the deeper I get into this series the more predictable I find this series. But im very close to finishing this series so I will try my best to finish it.

This book presents us as readers with a tale that weaves humor and adventure but falls somewhat short in delivering the emotional depth expected from the series. 

The story in this book begins with Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III facing a daunting task: rescuing his friend Fishlegs, who has been captured by the treacherous Romans. As Hiccup embarks on this rescue mission, he uncovers secrets about his own past and the mysterious Lost Throne of the Archipelago.

The depiction of the Viking world remains vibrant, with familiar landscapes and new territories that add intrigue to the narrative. However, the plot occasionally meanders, with certain sequences feeling repetitive and lacking the freshness that characterized earlier books.

Hiccup, as the central character, continues to display intelligence and bravery. However, in this book, his development feels somewhat stagnant, with limited growth beyond his established traits. While his determination to save Fishlegs showcases his loyalty, the narrative misses opportunities to delve deeper into his internal struggles and evolution as a leader.

When it comes to Toothless, Hiccup’s dragon companion, remains a source of humor, yet his role feels more limited compared to previous books. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless, a cornerstone of the series, doesn’t receive the exploration it deserves in this story, which may disappoint fans seeking more of their dynamic.

This book (as the previous books in this series) continues to explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and identity which are very center points of this whole series. But as I have said in the review of book 7 in this series. The themes of friendship, loyalty, and identity are pretty much overexploited in this seires because the author spends 8 whole books focusing solely on those themes which made me think that the author doesn’t really know what to do with this seires other then keeping exploring the same topics which have worked in previous books. Which again makes this series feel very predictable and repetitive because it keeps focusing on the same things in every book in this series so far.

The writing in this book retains its humor and charm, with playful dialogue and a lively narrative voice. At the same time the illustrations we get in this book continue to enhance the storytelling, providing visual humor that complements the text.

The pacing of this book struggles with inconsistency. While some scenes are action-packed and engaging, others drag, affecting the overall momentum. This uneven pacing detracts from the story’s ability to maintain a cohesive and captivating narrative.

However the world building aspect of this book continues to remain a strong point in this series as well as in this book. The introduction of new settings and characters adds intrigue, yet the execution feels somewhat superficial. The potential for deeper exploration of the series’ mythology and lore is present but not fully realized.

The dragon lore, a highlight of the series, continues to provide a sense of wonder, yet it takes a backseat in this installment. Fans of the series may miss the intricate details and imaginative exploration of dragon culture that characterized earlier books.

I Give This Book 2 / 5