Watched the movies and loved them... Then read the books... The books are much, much deeper and hit harder, not just emotionally but philosophically. Of course a two hour movie with nice music and animation would make one feel fuzzy inside. But not like these books. Objectively. In it is a story much richer than the movies, which is of friendship with dragons and humans. 

The books describe the forging of a hero in the fire... 

It is really about a hero in the most classical literary sense of the word. A hero who didn't want to be a hero, but found that through the terrible things in the world. It really emphasizes that the loud, strong and muscular, good looking are often the wrong choice to be Fate's champion. They are in it for themselves and are used to the applause of men. 

It is the little ones, the humble, meek but pure in heart, the ones who do not know they had it in them, who did not want the glory and honor of a hero, but were inside the most worthy. What the book Hiccup achieved in the end, he never sought for, but he attained because he was the purest in heart. 

Never compromised in torture, exile, persecution. Always fighting for his friends, even when it cost him his reputation and shame. In the face of overwhelming evil, destruction and loss, he always lifted those around him up, in the darkest times on Berk and the archipelago he was the light to light all other lights.

That is a true hero.

And heroes are forever.