If you want to read How to Train Your Dragon in the right order, the good news is that the series is easy to follow once you know whether you want the original books or the wider franchise. Cressida Cowell’s novels began as a chapter-book adventure series and later expanded into a longer saga with a very different tone from the films.
This guide gives you the How To Train Your Dragon books in order, explains the difference between publication order and story order, and helps you choose the best reading path for a child, student, or returning fan.
What is the correct How To Train Your Dragon books in order?
The simplest reading order is the publication order of Cressida Cowell’s main novels, starting with How to Train Your Dragon and continuing through the later books in the series. That order preserves the gradual growth of Hiccup, Toothless, and the wider Viking world as Cowell originally built it.
How To Train Your Dragon books in order: main series
Here is the core reading order for the original book series by Cressida Cowell. If you are reading for the first time, this is the best place to begin.
- 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
- How to Break a Dragon’s Heart
- How to Steal a Dragon’s Sword
- How to Seize a Dragon’s Jewel
- How to Betray a Dragon’s Hero
- How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury
Some editions and library catalogs may group the books differently or include subtitles and special formatting, but the sequence above reflects the standard main-series order most readers use.
Why reading order matters in this series
Cowell’s books are episodic in feel, but they are not interchangeable. Hiccup’s development, the politics of the Viking world, and the emotional stakes all build over time, so reading in order gives the clearest sense of the series’ long arc.
Publication order vs. story order
For most readers, publication order and story order are the same for the main novels. That makes the series especially beginner-friendly, because you do not need to untangle multiple timelines or prequels before starting.
If you are reading with a child, a classroom, or a book club, sticking to publication order also helps preserve surprises, recurring jokes, and the gradual expansion of the world.
What the books are about
The How to Train Your Dragon books follow Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a young Viking who does not fit the heroic ideals of his tribe. Instead of becoming a traditional warrior, he relies on intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving to survive a world full of dragons, rival clans, and absurdly dangerous traditions.
Toothless, Hiccup’s dragon companion, is central to the series, though the books and films portray him differently. The novels are more comic, more sprawling, and often more mischievous in their storytelling than the animated adaptations.
Major themes in the series
- Identity and belonging — Hiccup repeatedly questions what it means to be a hero.
- Friendship across difference — humans and dragons are often shown as misunderstood rather than natural enemies.
- Leadership and responsibility — Hiccup’s choices affect not just himself, but his community.
- Courage without brute force — wit and compassion often matter more than strength.
- Growing up — the books gradually move from comic adventure toward larger emotional and political consequences.
How the books differ from the movies
If your familiarity comes from the DreamWorks films, expect a few important differences. The books are not a direct retelling of the movies, and the tone is notably more playful, eccentric, and text-heavy, with a stronger emphasis on Hiccup’s narration and internal observations.
Key differences readers should know
- Hiccup is different in personality and role, especially in the early books.
- Toothless is different in appearance and behavior compared with the film version.
- The plotlines diverge significantly as the series continues.
- The humor is more literary and satirical in the books, with mock-epic touches and invented Viking flavor.
Because of those differences, it is best to treat the books as their own literary world rather than as novelizations of the movies.
Practical tips for reading the series
Reading a long children’s series is easier when you match the book to the reader. These practical tips can help you choose the right approach.
For first-time readers
- Start with the first book and read in order.
- Do not worry if the early chapters feel playful or chaotic; that style is part of the charm.
- Let the series unfold naturally, because later books reward familiarity with the characters and world.
For parents and teachers
- These books work well for independent readers who enjoy humor and adventure.
- If reading aloud, pause to discuss Hiccup’s choices and how problem-solving differs from fighting.
- Use the series to talk about stereotypes, leadership, and why “unlikely heroes” matter in literature.
For fans of the films
- Expect a fresh experience rather than a scene-by-scene match.
- Read with an open mind if you are attached to the movie versions of Hiccup or Toothless.
- Enjoy the books for their voice, humor, and imaginative worldbuilding.
Reading the series by age and interest
The books are often recommended for middle-grade readers, but older readers can enjoy them too, especially if they appreciate comic fantasy and inventive narration. The later books become more expansive and emotionally layered, so the series can grow with the reader.
Who may enjoy these books most?
- Readers who like adventure with humor
- Children who enjoy dragons, quests, and unusual heroes
- Fans of series fiction with recurring characters and escalating stakes
- Adults looking for a clever, accessible fantasy series to share with younger readers
Literary style and storytelling techniques
Cressida Cowell’s writing blends adventure, comedy, and oral-storytelling energy. The narration often feels direct and conversational, while the invented names, Viking culture, and dragon lore create a playful but coherent fantasy setting.
What makes the style distinctive?
- Voice-driven narration that keeps the books lively and personal
- Comic exaggeration that makes danger feel funny as well as dramatic
- Worldbuilding through action rather than long explanation
- Illustration-friendly design in many editions, which supports younger readers
The series also uses repetition, naming patterns, and mock-heroic language to parody traditional adventure tales while still honoring the emotional seriousness of growing up.
Should you skip around?
You can, but it is usually better not to. Each book adds context to Hiccup’s relationships and the larger mythology of the series, so skipping ahead may weaken some of the emotional payoff.
If you are rereading, however, you can revisit favorite volumes without losing the basic thread. The books are sturdy enough to stand alone, but they are strongest as a cumulative journey.
Quick reading order checklist
If you want the simplest answer to How To Train Your Dragon Books In Order, use this checklist:
- Begin with How to Train Your Dragon.
- Continue in publication order through the main series.
- Read the books before comparing them too closely with the films.
- For younger readers, choose the order that matches their attention span and reading level, but keep the sequence intact when possible.
Final takeaway
The best way to read How to Train Your Dragon is in the order Cressida Cowell published it: start at the beginning, follow Hiccup’s growth book by book, and let the world expand naturally. That approach gives you the fullest experience of the humor, heart, and inventive fantasy that make the series so enduring.
If you enjoy series guides like this, you may also like our reading-order articles on Sarah J. Maas books in order and the Hopeless series books.