As Hiccup knows all too well, becoming a hero does not happen overnight, nor does it happen because one wills it to happen. How to Train Your Dragon is the story of an unremarkable boy who becomes an exalted hero for “this is the story of becoming a Hero the Hard Way”. Hiccup must, against insurmountable odds, become the hero the Vikings and dragons need to save them all from destruction. Fate is another overarching theme that creates obstacles along the way. Power is a big theme that is discussed at length, specifically the balance of power and the ways in which it corrupts. The change is noticeable in the gradual change in subject matter, from Viking training to rebellions, slavery, love and war. They stop being light, silly reads and become something darker, and more serious. Yet, as the series progresses, slowly, and almost imperceptibly at first, the books become just a little longer and a little more mature, creeping into the realm of middle grade. The first book in the series is without a doubt a children’s novel.
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