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How to Train Your Dragon #4
How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse
In his 4th sidesplitting adventure, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III must rescue his best friend, Fishlegs, from the deadly disease Vorpentitis. The only cure is rare and almost impossible to find...a potato. But where will Hiccup find such a thing? He'll have to dodge the terrible Sharkworms, battle Doomfangs, and outwit crazy Hooligans if he's going to be a Hero...again.
A fast paced plot, slapstick humor, witty dialogue and imaginative black and white illustrations enhance this exciting tale.
A fast paced plot, slapstick humor, witty dialogue and imaginative black and white illustrations enhance this exciting tale.
3 pages, Audio CD
First published November 2, 2006
475 people are currently reading
5874 people want to read
About the author
Cressida Cowell
235 books2,415 followersCressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon is now published in over 30 languages. A DreamWorks Animation feature film is out in March 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband and three children.
Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)
Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 862 reviews
August 8, 2012
These books are quite delightful. Terribly loud, rude vikings storm around, yelling and fighting and insulting everyone, whilst poor Hiccup proves himself by embodying the exact opposite of everything he's been taught. He's an admirable character, and all the others seem ludicrous by comparison.
Our loyal and determined Hero sets out on an improbable quest to find an antidote, dealing with ridiculously large dragons, particularly nutty barbarians, and potentially fictional vegetables. As usual there are many giggles to be had, but How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse stands out as the most emotional of the series so far. There are several moments when Fate doesn't seem to be on Hiccup's side and his fear and disappointment are palpable. Since this is a kid's book, we adults will calmly reassure ourselves that everything must work out in the end, but children may not be so certain.
Once again, I was most enamored of the epilogue. The words of the aged Hiccup serve to reinforce the lesson that being clever and fair bear greater results than employing brute force and malice. I found myself getting all misty-eyed over his gratitude and wonder. Hiccup never takes his good fortune for granted - mostly because he works damned hard to earn it.
On to the next one!
(NYCC freebie.)
Our loyal and determined Hero sets out on an improbable quest to find an antidote, dealing with ridiculously large dragons, particularly nutty barbarians, and potentially fictional vegetables. As usual there are many giggles to be had, but How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse stands out as the most emotional of the series so far. There are several moments when Fate doesn't seem to be on Hiccup's side and his fear and disappointment are palpable. Since this is a kid's book, we adults will calmly reassure ourselves that everything must work out in the end, but children may not be so certain.
Once again, I was most enamored of the epilogue. The words of the aged Hiccup serve to reinforce the lesson that being clever and fair bear greater results than employing brute force and malice. I found myself getting all misty-eyed over his gratitude and wonder. Hiccup never takes his good fortune for granted - mostly because he works damned hard to earn it.
On to the next one!
(NYCC freebie.)
December 8, 2010
Old Wrinkly's (Hiccup grandfather on his mother's side) Cures for Common Ilnesses:
- Cold: Stuff a small carrot up each nostril to stop a running nose. Remember to breathe through MOUTH.
- Upset Stomach: Drink a cupful of live earwigs. The insects will the germs in your small intestine and eat them. Probably.
- Chicken Pox: Point the spots with Old Wrinkly's soothing lotion of Runny Seagull Poo. This will relieve the itching. It will also cause your friends to stay away from you, thus protecting them from infection.
- Headache with Temperature: Old Wrinkly's tasty medicine of sheep mucus and dead flies wrapped in cobwebs will soon have the patient bouncing out of bed.
- A Virus: Pray to Thor. Nobody knows what to do with a virus^.
^Interestingly 1,500 years later, medical science has advanced to such an extent that we STILL don't know what to do with a virus.
Stoick the Vast to Fishleg:
'FISHEGGS, I have misjudged YOU. Yes I have. A Chief has to be big enough to admit it when he is wrong. You are a little weirdo, it is true, but you are a LOYAL little weirdo, and one day when my son is Chief I have a felling he will need some loyal people about him.'
Btw Hiccup now has two arch-enemies: Alvin the Treacherous and Norbert the Nutjob (the Hysterics Chief whose buttocks was shot by Hiccup during the ski-went-wrong-expedition) hehe
- Cold: Stuff a small carrot up each nostril to stop a running nose. Remember to breathe through MOUTH.
- Upset Stomach: Drink a cupful of live earwigs. The insects will the germs in your small intestine and eat them. Probably.
- Chicken Pox: Point the spots with Old Wrinkly's soothing lotion of Runny Seagull Poo. This will relieve the itching. It will also cause your friends to stay away from you, thus protecting them from infection.
- Headache with Temperature: Old Wrinkly's tasty medicine of sheep mucus and dead flies wrapped in cobwebs will soon have the patient bouncing out of bed.
- A Virus: Pray to Thor. Nobody knows what to do with a virus^.
^Interestingly 1,500 years later, medical science has advanced to such an extent that we STILL don't know what to do with a virus.
Stoick the Vast to Fishleg:
'FISHEGGS, I have misjudged YOU. Yes I have. A Chief has to be big enough to admit it when he is wrong. You are a little weirdo, it is true, but you are a LOYAL little weirdo, and one day when my son is Chief I have a felling he will need some loyal people about him.'
Btw Hiccup now has two arch-enemies: Alvin the Treacherous and Norbert the Nutjob (the Hysterics Chief whose buttocks was shot by Hiccup during the ski-went-wrong-expedition) hehe
February 26, 2025
4.5 stars ...
Super fun ...
the best one
since #1 👍😁👍
Super fun ...
the best one
since #1 👍😁👍
May 20, 2025
re-read 2018: I adore these audiobooks
re-read 2025: there are a myriad of reasons that I don't think I'd make it in the viking archipelago but the biggest one is that they don't have potatoes and I simply couldn't exist without potatoes.
re-read 2025: there are a myriad of reasons that I don't think I'd make it in the viking archipelago but the biggest one is that they don't have potatoes and I simply couldn't exist without potatoes.
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April 12, 2017
Unfortunately this is the last How to Train Your Dragon book I will be reading (unless I seriously run out of other books to read or need a very, very quick simple book). I haven't been as entertained by the books as I'd like and I have not garnered much amusement from them at all. Full review to follow.
April 6, 2019
Още една невероятно сладка и приключенска история за Хълцук и Беззъбчо. Трябва да има повече такива книжки 😊
April 21, 2025
Such a fun series and read by an amazing narrator! 4.5 stars! Highly recommend for all ages!
May 8, 2024
The real potato is the friends we made along the way.
May 24, 2023
“Sometimes it is not until the Final Chapter that you realise what a quest has REALLY been about all along.”
This was one of my favorites in the series so far! Stakes are high, conversations are enjoyable, and the adventure was fun.
I don't understand, after all that happened, why Stoic the Vast is still a turd.
June 12, 2022
3⭐ - It was good
April 12, 2024
4.5! Okay, I take it back, THIS is my favorite one so farrrr!!!💖🤩 I mean dragons and heists are two of my favorite things in fiction, how could I not adore this book?!
Language: One or two uses of 'he' double hockey stick as in referring to down under.
Violence: Nope.
Magic: N/A
(Other: Mentions of the viking gods.)
Okay, this has to be my fav HTTYD book so far!🤩🐉💖 I mean really, it's dragons, burglary, a race against time, and a hilarious villian, what more could you want? Except a plot twist....wait, it has that too!!!😏💖💖🐉🐉SOLDDDDD!!!
But seriously, I devoured this book, it was so fun!!! And I absolutely loved One-Eye, he was so blunt and funny all at once! And awesome, did I mention he was awesome?! Well, he was! And his and Toothless's interactions were great!! Ah...Toothless as always is the BESTTT!!!🐉💖🤩
This book had me Biting my nails and laughing so hard at the same time! On one hand, I'm terrified for Hiccup and on the other I'm cracking up because everything is going SO wrong and Toothless is such a mood in this one...lol....
And Stoick does care! Awwww! I loved that scene with him I Hiccup, too sweet!🥰💖💖
Man, this one was so good! I have so many things I liked about it! Like Old Wrinkly and Stoick's arguments and Camicazi and Norbet the Nutjob's fight and Hiccup in the giant 'food fight'! Sooooo good!🤣💖💖 and the author pulling on the theory of Vikings being the first to discover America, very nice!😂🤪
And the theme was so sweet! How you will do anything for your best friend and how a best friend (no matter how weird and annoying at some times) is just unreplaceable!🥰💖👌👌
7+
Language: One or two uses of 'he' double hockey stick as in referring to down under.
Violence: Nope.
Magic: N/A
(Other: Mentions of the viking gods.)
Okay, this has to be my fav HTTYD book so far!🤩🐉💖 I mean really, it's dragons, burglary, a race against time, and a hilarious villian, what more could you want? Except a plot twist....wait, it has that too!!!😏💖💖🐉🐉SOLDDDDD!!!
But seriously, I devoured this book, it was so fun!!! And I absolutely loved One-Eye, he was so blunt and funny all at once! And awesome, did I mention he was awesome?! Well, he was! And his and Toothless's interactions were great!! Ah...Toothless as always is the BESTTT!!!🐉💖🤩
This book had me Biting my nails and laughing so hard at the same time! On one hand, I'm terrified for Hiccup and on the other I'm cracking up because everything is going SO wrong and Toothless is such a mood in this one...lol....
And Stoick does care! Awwww! I loved that scene with him I Hiccup, too sweet!🥰💖💖
Man, this one was so good! I have so many things I liked about it! Like Old Wrinkly and Stoick's arguments and Camicazi and Norbet the Nutjob's fight and Hiccup in the giant 'food fight'! Sooooo good!🤣💖💖 and the author pulling on the theory of Vikings being the first to discover America, very nice!😂🤪
And the theme was so sweet! How you will do anything for your best friend and how a best friend (no matter how weird and annoying at some times) is just unreplaceable!🥰💖👌👌
7+
June 22, 2016
Another book in the Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III that is as comical and absurd as the previous ones. It's filled to the brim with Cressida Cowell's witty, rib-tickling dialogue and follows an infinitely adorable Hero-in-Training that is Hiccup.
I'm sure by now you have an idea why these books are funny. Basically me the entire time;
What I find interesting, though, are the epilogues at the end of each book recited by a very old Hiccup. These indicate that by that time there are no dragons. I have also read somewhere on the internet that in HTTYD 3, they're going to separate Hiccup and Toothless. ICK! NO!!!
Summary:
Fishlegs starts acting very strange and the village soothsayer and doctor declares that he has been bitten by a Venomous Vorpent and thus has Vorpentitis and if Hiccup is unable to find THE cure by the next morning, Fishlegs will die. The cure, he tells Hiccup, is in the village of Hysterics, a particularly gruesome group of Vikings whose chief Hiccup happened to shoot slap bang at the bottom the previous day. This marvelous cure is in fact, a POTATO. Hiccup ventures on this dangerous quest with his dragon, Toothless and friend Camicazi and together they not only manage to get the potato but also encounter an ENORMOUS dragon that haunts the sea near the Hysterics's village called the DOOMFANG.
I'm sure by now you have an idea why these books are funny. Basically me the entire time;
What I find interesting, though, are the epilogues at the end of each book recited by a very old Hiccup. These indicate that by that time there are no dragons. I have also read somewhere on the internet that in HTTYD 3, they're going to separate Hiccup and Toothless. ICK! NO!!!
January 4, 2019
Second Read: January 2019
This was just as good as the first time I read it! Maybe even a little more so because I knew how the story would end and knew exactly what to look for.
First Read: October 2018
Cressida Cowell has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I’ve been a fan of the How to Train Your Dragon movies and shows for several years now, but only recently have I begun to read the books that inspired it all. I can say with certainty that I love the books just as much as the movies. Though completely different, I love being able to read them and see how storytellers have taken these books and made them into some of the best animated films I’ve seen. Hiccup’s adventures are so much fun and Toothless is so adorable in the books. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse was intense and funny and unpredictable. The ending had such a major plot twist I almost thought I had read it wrong! My hope is that I can find the remaining books in the series as soon as possible so I can binge-read them all!
This was just as good as the first time I read it! Maybe even a little more so because I knew how the story would end and knew exactly what to look for.
First Read: October 2018
Cressida Cowell has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I’ve been a fan of the How to Train Your Dragon movies and shows for several years now, but only recently have I begun to read the books that inspired it all. I can say with certainty that I love the books just as much as the movies. Though completely different, I love being able to read them and see how storytellers have taken these books and made them into some of the best animated films I’ve seen. Hiccup’s adventures are so much fun and Toothless is so adorable in the books. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse was intense and funny and unpredictable. The ending had such a major plot twist I almost thought I had read it wrong! My hope is that I can find the remaining books in the series as soon as possible so I can binge-read them all!
February 5, 2023
3.5 rounded down. This one doesn't exactly stand out against the previous volumes, and the next two are where you start to realize, as an adult, that this is something truly special.
However there were several things I really liked about this one: the wildly ridiculous way the ending came together; the way Hiccup is slowly growing up throughout the books; the epilogue; and the way the Venomous Vorpant kept sneaking it's voice in like a dark narrator.
Even though the movies/show are very different from the books I think they did an excellent job of keeping the spirit/character of Hiccup the same. You could definitely see this book 10/11 year old Hiccup being the same 14 year old in the first movie, the same 22 year old in the third movie, and both growing into the old man of the book epilogues.
However there were several things I really liked about this one: the wildly ridiculous way the ending came together; the way Hiccup is slowly growing up throughout the books; the epilogue; and the way the Venomous Vorpant kept sneaking it's voice in like a dark narrator.
Even though the movies/show are very different from the books I think they did an excellent job of keeping the spirit/character of Hiccup the same. You could definitely see this book 10/11 year old Hiccup being the same 14 year old in the first movie, the same 22 year old in the third movie, and both growing into the old man of the book epilogues.
January 19, 2018
What a fun dragon adventure! One of my favorites of the series.
Hiccup selflessly faces the danger of all dangers to help his friend who is deathly ill. The task must be done to find the mythical... potato... that will save Fishleg's life.
I liked this story a lot because Hiccup tries so hard to be the hero of the situation, and he somehow pulls it off, whether accidentally or not is unknown... And his father's response at the end? Priceless.
Hiccup selflessly faces the danger of all dangers to help his friend who is deathly ill. The task must be done to find the mythical... potato... that will save Fishleg's life.
I liked this story a lot because Hiccup tries so hard to be the hero of the situation, and he somehow pulls it off, whether accidentally or not is unknown... And his father's response at the end? Priceless.
September 9, 2019
This felt like a side adventure rather than one that moves along character or plot development. I did enjoy hearing about the Hysterics, the potato and the Doomfang, though!
Read
March 30, 2023Onward I go.
February 3, 2019
Sukaaa banget sama ending dan epilog buku ini. Bagian awal ke tengah tuh biasa. Tapi pas penyelesaian akhir tuh.... waaah, ngga nyangka! 😆
June 26, 2024
5 stars is the rating I give for books I’d not only recommend, but also reread myself. Seeing as I am 100% committed to reading this whole series to my friends kids already… 5 stars it is. What a love for potatoes, for those who believe in such things that is.
December 26, 2014
Good lord, does Hiccup take charge in this book! There was very little of his typical "reluctant Hero" timidity here, while he still relied on his brains rather than his brawn (wait...what brawn?) to save the day.
(Granted, there's a reason behind his unusual behavior, but still.)
It was exciting watching him disobey his father, take on the scariest tribe of Vikings - whose boss has a personal vendetta against Hiccup - with almost no assistance, steal a vegetable-that-in-this-review-shall-remain-unnamed, and face a gigantic sea monster to save his best friend's life.
Well, okay. Technically, Camicazi stole the vegetable-that-in-this-review-shall-remain-unnamed, but that's splitting hairs.
I was also glad to see Camicazi brought back, and for such a prominent role. Hooray for female characters who are even matches for male characters, and are not at all pushovers! She actually makes me think of the movie version of Hiccup, with her constant enthusiasm. Except she's, you know. Actually competent.
(Granted, there's a reason behind his unusual behavior, but still.)
It was exciting watching him disobey his father, take on the scariest tribe of Vikings - whose boss has a personal vendetta against Hiccup - with almost no assistance, steal a vegetable-that-in-this-review-shall-remain-unnamed, and face a gigantic sea monster to save his best friend's life.
Well, okay. Technically, Camicazi stole the vegetable-that-in-this-review-shall-remain-unnamed, but that's splitting hairs.
I was also glad to see Camicazi brought back, and for such a prominent role. Hooray for female characters who are even matches for male characters, and are not at all pushovers! She actually makes me think of the movie version of Hiccup, with her constant enthusiasm. Except she's, you know. Actually competent.
May 3, 2016
This one wasn't QUITE as fun for me as the others in the series because the adventure portion of the story didn't include Fishlegs, who is fast becoming one of my favorite characters. I do love that our girl character, Camicazi, has a larger role in this one, though...and this book has one of the best endings so far. I also love the humor in this one, referring to our country as "America if You Believe Such a Place Exists" and the quest for "The Vegetable That No One Dares Name" (spoiler alert: its a potato). I also like that this book was a touch more emotional while maintaining its humor--I actually even teared up a few times!
August 19, 2017
a veggie which can not be named (I laughted cuz in my head Voldemort was holding one in every hand) and there where many fun lines that I wanted to remember but can not. something about two icebergs and polarbears. Chairs. And a very funny one near the end.
I love these books. I think I might need to buy them.
I love these books. I think I might need to buy them.
October 10, 2015
Lots of fun. I loved the comments about "the-vegetable-that-must-not-be-named." Also, my little brother listened to most of this with me and I don't know if I enjoyed listening to it or listening to him laugh at it more.
July 12, 2022
“Sometimes it is only a True Friend who knows what we mean when we try to speak.
“Somebody who has spent a lot of time with us, and listens carefully to what we are trying to say, and tries to understand.” - Chapter 19
“Somebody who has spent a lot of time with us, and listens carefully to what we are trying to say, and tries to understand.” - Chapter 19
February 10, 2017
More heroic antics with Hiccup, Fishlegs, Toothless and Camicazi. Quite entertaining.
January 24, 2021
This was great! I loved the story and the humor and the stakes too! It was so tense and thrilling, while also hilariously funny.
January 24, 2023
5 stars. always. ugh. These books always add at least five years onto my life span
February 5, 2025
I was. Not prepared. For the stab in the heart at the very simple but well delivered message
October 24, 2020
Potato 🥔
February 16, 2025
Read this to my seven year old daughter - what a delight. I loved hearing her crack up laughing at Toothless and Camikazi's antics. The adventure was a page turner and we finished it (reading aloud) in three days. Hiccup again braves quite a crazy set of events, involving onion soup, an obnoxious toothless, relying on the help of friends to get through and setting free more than just one person from the dragon's curse...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 862 reviews