How to Be a Pirate

Four years of preparation should be sufficient to mold a top-notch pirate. When the training vessel sinks to the bottom of the sea and a mysterious sea chest is found, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his sidekick, Fish Legs, "learn by doing" aboard the Lucky 13. Gerard Doyle narrates each outrageous event on the quest for Grimbeard the Ghastly's treasure with nary a hesitation and every bit of subtle humor that such adventures demand. He whines, wheedles, and schemes with the sleaziest of pirates. His impersonation of Toothless the Dragon is as annoying as possible, and his British accent adds to the mystique. Who could have imagined that the rightful heir would triumph! A.R. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine


David Tennant's lovely Scots brogue--so ancient and romantic sounding--is ideal for a tale of pirates who are on an expedition to a remote island to search for treasure. But this is no ordinary adventure; it's an over-the-top experience of music, whistles, and wordplay. Tennant throws himself into it all with maximum enthusiasm, creating distinct and hilarious characters. Hiccup is inept at sword fighting and audibly unsure that he's really the heir to the pirate throne. Stoick, the chief, is Hiccup's father, and although he might be a bit dim, oh by golly, he is brave! Alvin, the poor but honest farmer, wheedles and deceives. Best of all is Hiccup's dragon, Toothless, whom Tennant plays for maximum hilarity, lisping and stuttering warnings about the folly of the expedition. A.B. (c) AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine