The Legacy Continues in Literature
“DreamWorks‘ How to Train Your Dragon series is undoubtedly one of the most popular animation franchises of the last decade, with three hit feature films and an array of shorts and TV projects all proving successful.” But what if you’re craving more adventures with Hiccup, Toothless, and the rest of the Viking gang? While director Dean DeBlois made it clear that the cinematic journey has concluded, saying, “We thought about it for a long time and came up with what we think is a bittersweet way to say goodbye to these characters, but the right way,” the story doesn’t have to end there.
A Tale Told Through Books
The animated films are just the tip of the iceberg. They draw inspiration from the eponymous children’s book series by Cressida Cowell. Twelve main books and multiple spin-offs make up this expansive literary world. If you’re yearning for more dragon-riding escapades, this is the goldmine you’ve been waiting for.
The Ultimate Reading Roadmap
If you’re eager to dive into this universe but don’t know where to begin, fear not. The first book in Cressida Cowell’s series was published in 2004, and it sets the stage for an epic adventure. Here’s how you can read them in the most fulfilling way:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2004)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Be a Pirate (2005)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Speak Dragonese (2006)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2007)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2008)
- How to Train Your Dragon: A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2009)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2010)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2011)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Steal a Dragon’s Sword (2012)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Seize a Dragon’s Jewel (2013)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Betray a Dragon’s Hero (2013)
- How to Train Your Dragon: How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury (2015)
Add-Ons and Extras
But wait, there’s more! The main saga is flanked by companion books such as “How to Train Your Dragon: A Journal for Heroes (2015)” and a picture book aimed at younger readers, “How to Be a Viking,” released in 2014. Special short spin-offs were also published, offering bite-sized adventures perfect for a quick dragon-fix.
Dean DeBlois’ Final Words on the Franchise
Dean DeBlois, the mastermind behind the films, summed it up beautifully: “We thought about it for a long time and came up with what we think is a bittersweet way to say goodbye to these characters, but the right way.” Although the movies may have stopped rolling, the essence of How to Train Your Dragon thrives in these books. Each page turns into a new adventure, a new lesson, and a new way to explore the world that has captured so many hearts.
So, if you’ve already marathoned the movies and are missing your favorite dragon-riding duo, the books are where you’ll find them, soaring to new heights.
