Status
Available
Call number
Series
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Publication
London : Gollancz, 2008.
Description
The second novel in the wildly popular First Law Trilogy from New York Times bestseller Joe Abercrombie. Superior Glokta has a problem. How do you defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors, when your allies can by no means be trusted, and your predecessor vanished without a trace? It's enough to make a torturer want to run -- if he could even walk without a stick. Northmen have spilled over the border of Angland and are spreading fire and death across the frozen country. Crown Prince Ladisla is poised to drive them back and win undying glory. There is only one problem -- he commands the worst-armed, worst-trained, worst-led army in the world. And Bayaz, the First of the Magi, is leading a party of bold adventurers on a perilous mission through the ruins of the past. The most hated woman in the South, the most feared man in the North, and the most selfish boy in the Union make a strange alliance, but a deadly one. They might even stand a chance of saving mankind from the Eaters -- if they didn't hate each other quite so much. Ancient secrets will be uncovered. Bloody battles will be won and lost. Bitter enemies will be forgiven -- but not before they are hanged.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member MisterJJones
In competently written sequel to The Blade Itself, Abercrombie does a pretty good job of adding just enough to the standard fantasy tropes to deliver something that’s refreshingly new, but still comfortably familiar.
On the surface, we have a pretty normal Middle Book of a Fat Epic Fantasy
And shine they all do, but Glokta steels the show.
‘Oy.’ A rough hand shook Glokta from his sleep. He rolled his head gingerly from the side he had been sleeping on, clenching his eeth at the pain as his neck clicked. Does death come early in the morning, today? He opened his eyes a crack. Ah. Not quite yet, it seems. Perhaps at lunch time.
Without such sharp cynicism, Before they are hanged would be little more than another tired Fat Fantasy. With it, this is an entertaining, fast-paced, and clever episode in what is shaping up to be a fine addition the genre’s top series. The last volume was largely set up for this one, and the overall direction of the series is not clear yet. I’m already waiting for the next volume to find out where Abercrombie will be taking us next.
On the surface, we have a pretty normal Middle Book of a Fat Epic Fantasy
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Trilogy. (Actually, there seems to be no indication of how long the series will be. I suspect Gollancz are hedging their bets against another Robert “just one more book then I’ll start winding it up” Jordan.) Our protagonists have split up and so we follow multiple storylines: Bayaz (the Wise But Enigmatic Guide) leads a Motley Band of Heroes on an Epic Trek across a Desolate Wasteland in the West, while Major West and the group of Fierce but Deep-Down-Nice-Guy barbarians - who seemed somewhat extraneous to the first book but are more active this time - fight a War Against Desperate Odds in the North, while Abercrombie’s most promising character, Sand dan Glokta the tortured-cum-torturer, finds himself in the City Under Siege in the South. So archetypal are these situations, that even the characters are comparing themselves to the stories. But this is surely deliberate, as this gives Abercrombie’s sardonic and world weary characters room to shine.And shine they all do, but Glokta steels the show.
‘Oy.’ A rough hand shook Glokta from his sleep. He rolled his head gingerly from the side he had been sleeping on, clenching his eeth at the pain as his neck clicked. Does death come early in the morning, today? He opened his eyes a crack. Ah. Not quite yet, it seems. Perhaps at lunch time.
Without such sharp cynicism, Before they are hanged would be little more than another tired Fat Fantasy. With it, this is an entertaining, fast-paced, and clever episode in what is shaping up to be a fine addition the genre’s top series. The last volume was largely set up for this one, and the overall direction of the series is not clear yet. I’m already waiting for the next volume to find out where Abercrombie will be taking us next.
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LibraryThing member pstotts
"Before They Are Hanged" is the second volume in the First Law Series by promising young British writer Joe Abercrombie. The first novel, the wonderful "The Blade Itself" was a fantastic introduction to a series featuring brutal, hard-boiled characters, excessive profane language and copious
Well I am here to say that "Before They Are Hanged" is an even bigger, meaner and better story as things get kicked up here to another gear.Inquistor Glokta and the barbarian, Logen "The Bloody Nine" Ninefingers are anti-heroes for the ages. Abercrombie turns all of his characters, who are filled with violence, maliciousness and machinations, into guilty pleasures. You know you should feel shocked and offended at some of the things the characters say or do, but it is just too damn hard not to enjoy it. While it may be good to be the King, it is also good to be bad.
As the novel begins, the Union finds itself at war on its Northern front against Bethod and his massive horde of battle-tested barbarians. Impending war with the Gurkish also threatens the southern city of Dagoska.
Inquistor Glokta has been dispatched to Dagoska to solve the mysterious disappearance of the previous Inquisitor of Dagoska. He finds he must overcome the corrupt and incompetent leadership of the city in order to achieve his objective, and defend the city from the impendingGurkish attack. Deadly backroom political intrigue ensues as forces within and without battle for their own agendas, causing Glokta to use his wits in order to keep control.
Meanwhile operating under his own agenda, the wizard, Bayaz, has gathered a party of his own, the mindless and arrogant Union officer, Jezal dan Luthar, the mysterious hate-filled Ferro Maljinn, and Logen. They have set out to recover an apocalyptic artifact from the past which Bayaz covets, the Seed. This device supposedly contains a destructive force so powerful and otherworldly that it will be able to save the Union from the invasions of both theGurkish and the North. But will Bayaz' group be able to recover the Seed and harness its power in time to save the Union?
Like "The Blade Itself", Abercrombie's writing here is hard-edged and relentless. Like a nail-chewing, steroid-popping beast of a fantasy novel, the story's pace flies at breakneck speeds, flexing its considerable muscles during well-conceived battle sequences. The action pounds, the dialogue cracks, and the humor oozes through, combining into one of the most enjoyable reading experiences of the year. I find that I cannot wait for the conclusion.
Last Word:
Better than the first novel, "Before They Are Hanged" is a fast-paced, gritty bit of brutality and fantasy that grabs you and doesn't let go. Dark, well-conceived and enjoyable, this is one not to be missed.
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amounts of violence. It was dark fantasy at its best--nasty and brutish. Well I am here to say that "Before They Are Hanged" is an even bigger, meaner and better story as things get kicked up here to another gear.Inquistor Glokta and the barbarian, Logen "The Bloody Nine" Ninefingers are anti-heroes for the ages. Abercrombie turns all of his characters, who are filled with violence, maliciousness and machinations, into guilty pleasures. You know you should feel shocked and offended at some of the things the characters say or do, but it is just too damn hard not to enjoy it. While it may be good to be the King, it is also good to be bad.
As the novel begins, the Union finds itself at war on its Northern front against Bethod and his massive horde of battle-tested barbarians. Impending war with the Gurkish also threatens the southern city of Dagoska.
Inquistor Glokta has been dispatched to Dagoska to solve the mysterious disappearance of the previous Inquisitor of Dagoska. He finds he must overcome the corrupt and incompetent leadership of the city in order to achieve his objective, and defend the city from the impendingGurkish attack. Deadly backroom political intrigue ensues as forces within and without battle for their own agendas, causing Glokta to use his wits in order to keep control.
Meanwhile operating under his own agenda, the wizard, Bayaz, has gathered a party of his own, the mindless and arrogant Union officer, Jezal dan Luthar, the mysterious hate-filled Ferro Maljinn, and Logen. They have set out to recover an apocalyptic artifact from the past which Bayaz covets, the Seed. This device supposedly contains a destructive force so powerful and otherworldly that it will be able to save the Union from the invasions of both theGurkish and the North. But will Bayaz' group be able to recover the Seed and harness its power in time to save the Union?
Like "The Blade Itself", Abercrombie's writing here is hard-edged and relentless. Like a nail-chewing, steroid-popping beast of a fantasy novel, the story's pace flies at breakneck speeds, flexing its considerable muscles during well-conceived battle sequences. The action pounds, the dialogue cracks, and the humor oozes through, combining into one of the most enjoyable reading experiences of the year. I find that I cannot wait for the conclusion.
Last Word:
Better than the first novel, "Before They Are Hanged" is a fast-paced, gritty bit of brutality and fantasy that grabs you and doesn't let go. Dark, well-conceived and enjoyable, this is one not to be missed.
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LibraryThing member mattries37315
The middle chapter of The First Law Trilogy is a fun mixture of epic journeys, brutal battles, political intrigue, and yes even sex (unfortunately). Joe Abercrombie after leading all his flawed and well written characters to Adua in The Blade Itself, he sent them all far away from the middle
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continent of his world. The epic journey of Bayaz, Logen, Ferro, and Jezal across the Old Empire on their way to the Edge of the World is given all the sense of an epic quest that sees all four change in their views of themselves but to the others as well. Inquisitor, now Superior, Glokta journeys to Dagoska to find out what happened to his predecessor and to defend the city from the Gurkish any way he can while looking over his shoulder for the stab in the back he always expects is coming but is continually surprised when it never happens. Up North, Logen's former crew join up with Collem West and together they attempt to fight off Bethod's invasion of Angland facing challenges none of them expected including dealing with the burden of leadership. Abercrombie surprises fantasy fans, even those use to the twist and turns of GRR Martin, by how he spins the three main story arcs in this book, especially the ending to the 'epic quest' led by Bayaz. However it's the characters that even really makes one not want to set down this book and that's why this book is so good. Show Less
LibraryThing member kendosam
Wicked fun, even better than the first one! I tore through it at warp speed and now i have to order the third from the UK because I am too impatient to wait for the US relese date.
LibraryThing member King_Bonez_Xx
THE BLADE ITSELF was my favorite books of ’07, so when I found out the next book was going to be coming out in the States in just a few days, I was ecstatic. I picked BEFORE THEY ARE HANGED from Borders the day it was released, and two words were stuck in my mind as I rode home: sophomore slump.
BEFORE THEY ARE HANGED picks up right were THE BLADE ITSELF left off, and is much better. Abercrombie’s writing seems more professional, the plot more controlled, and the payoff much more rewarding.
With this volume we’re introduced to new locations, expertly conveyed to us, and new people. Each twist is there for something besides shock value, and every even seems logical. All of the main characters have much more realistic arcs than they did in the first book, with several characters making major transformations. Some stay the same, thankfully, so we still get to hang out with the same old Glokta and Bayaz.
One minor problem with this book is that the comparisons to A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE are a bit more obvious, but Abercrombie manages to put enough freshness into other things, as well as write the familiar stuff well enough, that it’s easy to look past it.
I wouldn’t recommend reading anything but Book 1 to start off, but when you get to this book, you’ll be rewarded. Better than Book 1, an absolute joy to read. When’s Book 3 hitting shelves?
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Luckily, there wasn’t one.BEFORE THEY ARE HANGED picks up right were THE BLADE ITSELF left off, and is much better. Abercrombie’s writing seems more professional, the plot more controlled, and the payoff much more rewarding.
With this volume we’re introduced to new locations, expertly conveyed to us, and new people. Each twist is there for something besides shock value, and every even seems logical. All of the main characters have much more realistic arcs than they did in the first book, with several characters making major transformations. Some stay the same, thankfully, so we still get to hang out with the same old Glokta and Bayaz.
One minor problem with this book is that the comparisons to A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE are a bit more obvious, but Abercrombie manages to put enough freshness into other things, as well as write the familiar stuff well enough, that it’s easy to look past it.
I wouldn’t recommend reading anything but Book 1 to start off, but when you get to this book, you’ll be rewarded. Better than Book 1, an absolute joy to read. When’s Book 3 hitting shelves?
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LibraryThing member furriebarry
Notable improvement on the average first book. Characterisation moves away from the omnipresent author's voice. The plot moves beyond constant set ups. Still suffers from heavy handedness in places but if the third book continues this rate of improvement then it will be something special. Good
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fantasy fare. Show Less
LibraryThing member amf0001
Book 2 in the series and the plot thickens. Half our heros go North to fight King Bethod who is advancing south, and half, lead by the mysterious Bayez, go on a quest to the ends of the earth, to find the mysterious seed which might transform itself into an extraordinary weopen.
I like how all of
To show you how impressed I was with this series - I took books 2 and 3 with me on a flight to Australia, knowing that they would hold my interest.
I like how all of
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the characters deepen, a solid second book. This is not a stand alone series, you need to read book 1 to understand book 2 and I definitely look forward to book 3.To show you how impressed I was with this series - I took books 2 and 3 with me on a flight to Australia, knowing that they would hold my interest.
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LibraryThing member Caragen87
The saga of Inquisitor Glokta continues as the plans of his king and his Lector unfolds against that of the Mage Bayaz-- who is not so much the good guy he makes himself out to be.
LibraryThing member DWWilkin
I really enjoyed the first book of this series and have felt incomplete having not bought books 2 and 3 for such a long interval. But then Borders came through with 40% off coupons to use. I splurged on this.
It wasn't a mistake. But while reading Abercrombie's second effort I wondered if I had done
There are several main viewpoints that we have chapter after chapter. Who is our hero? Is our hero the torn up torturer of the Inquisition? Is there a trend in fantasy to identify with humans who have suffered horror?
Not that I completely remember book 1, but until half way through I think this series is all human based. Then all of sudden we have some fantastical beings. I am not sure that we needed them. Human enemies for our heroes might have been more than enough.
But that is what holds this back from a great read, and possibly a repeat. It is dark, it is disjointed with too many major plot lines to follow all wanting to be center stage. And anything good seems to disappear into its own gloom of twilight. Somewhere, sometime, the heroes need to have something good going on.
It wasn't a mistake. But while reading Abercrombie's second effort I wondered if I had done
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right. First it took weeks to get through. And I have time on my hand. So why was I not engaged and read this in one sitting?There are several main viewpoints that we have chapter after chapter. Who is our hero? Is our hero the torn up torturer of the Inquisition? Is there a trend in fantasy to identify with humans who have suffered horror?
Not that I completely remember book 1, but until half way through I think this series is all human based. Then all of sudden we have some fantastical beings. I am not sure that we needed them. Human enemies for our heroes might have been more than enough.
But that is what holds this back from a great read, and possibly a repeat. It is dark, it is disjointed with too many major plot lines to follow all wanting to be center stage. And anything good seems to disappear into its own gloom of twilight. Somewhere, sometime, the heroes need to have something good going on.
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LibraryThing member stubbyfingers
This is the second book in the First Law Trilogy, a swords and sorcery adventure. It picks up right where the The Blade Itself, the first book, left off with no summary whatsoever of what happened in the first book. All of the main characters from the first book reappear in this book, but now they
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are all flung to various corners of the globe on separate new adventures. There is more sorcery in this book (although still not much) and more monsters (although still not many). There is lots of gore, although less torture. I love the humor here, definitely my kind of humor in my darker moments. If you're in the mood for a raucous adventure, this is a great book for you. If you're in the mood for resolution of that adventure, this is not at all the book for you. Nothing whatsoever is resolved here. I can only assume everything will be resolved in the third and final book, The Last Argument of Kings. I'd definitely recommend this, but you should probably read the first book first. Show Less
LibraryThing member woodge
The plot thickens. Some characters die. Some change. Some go on to greater things. Bayaz and crew go traveling and meet with danger. Glokta has even more questions. Collem West battles Bethod and his Northmen. Threetrees and crew get into some bloody melees. Eaters attack. Jezal slowly becomes less
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of an ass. New characters are introduced. Mysteries deepen. And who are Valint and Balk? Can't wait to get my hands on the conclusion this August. (Note: the title comes from the quotation: "We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged." ~ Heinrich Heine) Show Less
LibraryThing member MelHay
Before They Are Hanged picks up right where The Blade Itself left off. Bayaz - the First Mage, Quai his apprentice, the Navigator, Logen or Bloody Nine as he's known, Ferro, and Jezel are all on their journey to the edge of the world to get the seed to save everyone. Glokta and his practicals are
I enjoyed The Blade Itself, but I think I enjoyed Before They Are Hanged even more. Joe Abercrombie has a wonderful way of telling the story full of action and wonder. I enjoyed reading of all the happenings with these characters in the different ends of the world, to see there is a great deal going on around the world and needing help in fixing.
I don't know which set of characters I enjoy reading about more. They are all have different happenings and characteristics that pull me into their stories. Glokta is always a pleasure to read with his suspicious negative thoughts are always interesting in how he comes to his conclusions of people and happenings. And he is usually right in his suspicions. Bayaz and the crew have the magic with them and the great journey. Magic and wonder always interest me. Colonel West has the Northern Men coming to him and the crazy chaos.
The characters have all gone through great hardships of their own kind. They are all grew greatly by the end of this book. The Blade Itself defined who they where at the start, and now they are changing. I got to learn more about the Eaters in the south and Shanka (or Flatheads) in the north. Also, some history leading up to the reason Khaluh is doing what he is doing.
You start to see the inside workings of the history to why they are where they are and the world as it is. I love how the history ties everyone together. Even why Bayaz picked the crew, and yet wonder the purpose of a few of them.
There was one thing I would have liked to have, a map. BUT I really liked how Joe Abercrombie drew a map of the world with his worlds and I didn't need a physical map to help visualize the world.
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in the Southern city Dagoskan, to save a doomed city from the Gurkish. Colonel West is up North fighting with, or for, the Prince against the savage Northmen. It all sounds simple where the characters are and what they are doing. But, the journey with these characters always seems to go by quickly for me with the wonderous things, good and bad, that happen.I enjoyed The Blade Itself, but I think I enjoyed Before They Are Hanged even more. Joe Abercrombie has a wonderful way of telling the story full of action and wonder. I enjoyed reading of all the happenings with these characters in the different ends of the world, to see there is a great deal going on around the world and needing help in fixing.
I don't know which set of characters I enjoy reading about more. They are all have different happenings and characteristics that pull me into their stories. Glokta is always a pleasure to read with his suspicious negative thoughts are always interesting in how he comes to his conclusions of people and happenings. And he is usually right in his suspicions. Bayaz and the crew have the magic with them and the great journey. Magic and wonder always interest me. Colonel West has the Northern Men coming to him and the crazy chaos.
The characters have all gone through great hardships of their own kind. They are all grew greatly by the end of this book. The Blade Itself defined who they where at the start, and now they are changing. I got to learn more about the Eaters in the south and Shanka (or Flatheads) in the north. Also, some history leading up to the reason Khaluh is doing what he is doing.
You start to see the inside workings of the history to why they are where they are and the world as it is. I love how the history ties everyone together. Even why Bayaz picked the crew, and yet wonder the purpose of a few of them.
There was one thing I would have liked to have, a map. BUT I really liked how Joe Abercrombie drew a map of the world with his worlds and I didn't need a physical map to help visualize the world.
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LibraryThing member zinschj
I wasn't able to get into this one. The first book in the trilogy, "The Blade Itself", was excellent, however.
LibraryThing member Isamoor
Dec10:
This second book just couldn't stay with the first one. Pretty much worse in every way for me. Even the action wasn't really as fun. Meh.
This second book just couldn't stay with the first one. Pretty much worse in every way for me. Even the action wasn't really as fun. Meh.
LibraryThing member cherrymischievous
Before They Are Hanged is Book 2 of The First Law Trilogy, this book continues where the cliffhanger in Book 1 left off and also ended in a cliffhanger. So my advice is the same with what I said in Book 1: don’t start reading this trilogy until you have all three books in your possession so that
Having experienced the multiple-thread writing style of the first book, I flagged this book’s chapters with a color-coded sticky index cards so that I can follow a single thread of the story and easily jump chapters until that thread in the story intersects another. Still slow going but a bit quicker than Book 1. I would give the pace a rating of 3 out of 5. This being Book 2, the world building and character development has been shaped in Book 1 already, therefore I’m not going to rate those in this review anymore.
This author also has the propensity of killing off beloved characters which breaks my heart! However, because of the author's fantastic “voice”, it's what keeps me reading on with this trilogy. Despite the slow pace. And even though I find the multiple-thread writing style annoying.
Final Say:
This book is just a middle chapter of a bigger book. Starts at the middle of the story and ends with a cliffhanger.
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you can continue reading on the story as soon as you hit the cliffhanger. I therefore do not advise anybody to read this book on its own because this book is just a middle chapter of three. It will get you confused. There is no beginning and no end. The beginning is in Book 1 and I presume that the end will be in Book 3.Having experienced the multiple-thread writing style of the first book, I flagged this book’s chapters with a color-coded sticky index cards so that I can follow a single thread of the story and easily jump chapters until that thread in the story intersects another. Still slow going but a bit quicker than Book 1. I would give the pace a rating of 3 out of 5. This being Book 2, the world building and character development has been shaped in Book 1 already, therefore I’m not going to rate those in this review anymore.
This author also has the propensity of killing off beloved characters which breaks my heart! However, because of the author's fantastic “voice”, it's what keeps me reading on with this trilogy. Despite the slow pace. And even though I find the multiple-thread writing style annoying.
Final Say:
This book is just a middle chapter of a bigger book. Starts at the middle of the story and ends with a cliffhanger.
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LibraryThing member MarkCWallace
In the second book of Joe Abercrombie's trilogy, the characters continue to be both compelling and surprising. There is more of the poignant wit and more descriptions that are sharply pointed enough to use for surgery. Unfortunately the plot continue to advance glacially; what Abercrombie reveals
This trilogy is ambitious. Each of the characters is undergoing personal conflicts and transformations at the same time that the world is undergoing potentially cataclysmic changes. This book reveals the strategy of several of the major players, and hints at the existence of other players - who may or may not be aligned with those we know. Some of the transformations are disappointing - I hope that Jezal the swordsman has a role to play in the climax, because his progress in this book is quite ordinary. Some are more satisfying - both West (the military officer) and Ferro (The sociopathically vengeance obsessed archer) grow in ways that are surprising and yet satisfying.
Mr. Abercrombie's challenge in the final book is to wrap up the loose ends decisively, without breaking my trust. I want to believe that the details he hasn't yet revealed are obscured for a reason - not just out of a self-absorbed delight in sleight of hand. Even if he fails he's recommended for all fans of Georgette Heyer; if he should succeed in drawing all the threads together in a satisfying way, then George Martin should be worried.
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about the forces which are driving the action is fascinating. There is also just too much description of scenery that may be awesome, inspiring and many other things, but isn't very interesting. This trilogy is ambitious. Each of the characters is undergoing personal conflicts and transformations at the same time that the world is undergoing potentially cataclysmic changes. This book reveals the strategy of several of the major players, and hints at the existence of other players - who may or may not be aligned with those we know. Some of the transformations are disappointing - I hope that Jezal the swordsman has a role to play in the climax, because his progress in this book is quite ordinary. Some are more satisfying - both West (the military officer) and Ferro (The sociopathically vengeance obsessed archer) grow in ways that are surprising and yet satisfying.
Mr. Abercrombie's challenge in the final book is to wrap up the loose ends decisively, without breaking my trust. I want to believe that the details he hasn't yet revealed are obscured for a reason - not just out of a self-absorbed delight in sleight of hand. Even if he fails he's recommended for all fans of Georgette Heyer; if he should succeed in drawing all the threads together in a satisfying way, then George Martin should be worried.
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LibraryThing member Fledgist
Middle book of a fantasy trilogy. Involving a quest that fails, a war that ends badly and ambiguous powers.
LibraryThing member majkia
Joe Abercrombie's gritty series continues. He depicts violence, senseless and political, with clear-eyed candor. Torturers, soldiers, everyone is human, flawed and only out to survive the events that they can't escape. Magic is minimal in this world and has consequences to the one wielding it. If
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you like the focus on the little guy, this is the series for you Show Less
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
Took a bit to get into the story - lots of characters, and three different groups on "missions"... but once I got these threads organized in my head, the story moved along nicely and I tried to read a bit faster to find out how each thread was going to be concluded...
or if it was going to be
The book is nicely paced, the characters are consistent and the world is interesting. It does sort of just stop at the end though... I know the main "missions" were technically completed, but not particularly satisfactorily and none of the main characters were resolved.
Of course, there's another book in the trilogy so I have hopes that it will wrap it all up nicely.
or if it was going to be
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concluded.The book is nicely paced, the characters are consistent and the world is interesting. It does sort of just stop at the end though... I know the main "missions" were technically completed, but not particularly satisfactorily and none of the main characters were resolved.
Of course, there's another book in the trilogy so I have hopes that it will wrap it all up nicely.
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LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
The characters introduced in the first book follow their obvious arcs to their conclusion in this one. The crippled torturer deals again with the foe that almost destroyed him. The dashing swordsman learns humility, the batshit insane assassin humanity, the uptight soldier perspective. And
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throughout are the hints that nothing is quite what it seems... Show Less
LibraryThing member suzemo
I still really like this epic/high/dark fantasy. Great adventure and interesting as hell. I love how gritty it is and how the characters think and interact with each other.
Can't wait to get to the last. I think this is going to be one of my favorite series ever.
It's definitely one of those series
Can't wait to get to the last. I think this is going to be one of my favorite series ever.
It's definitely one of those series
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that's a "one book divided into three pieces" things. Everything ends abruptly expecting the reader to go right into the next book. Normally it pisses me off, but this one just makes me want to keep reading more. Show Less
LibraryThing member dgold
Not as wonderful as that which precedes it, Before They Are Hanged still manages to be a great piece of Fantasy Fiction. This book relies on one of the great tropes of all writing, the old Throw'em together and they'll stick routine. Nevertheless, there's more than enough here to make for a
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cracking read. Show Less
LibraryThing member ispeaknerd
Highly enjoyable. Interestingly complicates common fantasy tropes. No deep art here, just fun entertainment. More refined than the first in the series.
LibraryThing member JohnnyPanic13
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
First Law Trilogy: Book Two
Sweet holy damn this was an awesome book. Far too many times a series has started promising only to disappoint in the second or third book. But Joe Abercrombie has just gotten better. These books are so good that I really really
So the short version of this review - damn good book. If you like fantasy books, read this series. Read it now. If fantasy isn't your favorite genre, read these books anyway. They are just good books period.
And now, getting into some details, that will probably include spoilers. So you're warned.
Where do I start with the ways that i love this series. Lets start with the characters.
If I were to just list them, they would sound like cliches plucked from any other fantasy series. You have the sadistic torturer, the hardened warrior woman, the spoiled nobleman, the fierce northern warrior, the ancient wizard and his faithful apprentice.
But you are no novice fantasy reader, you've seen these tropes played upon before. You know that the sadistic torturer will find a chance at redemption, the nobleman will find honor through humility, and the ancient wizard will do wizardly things.
But Joe Abercrombie goes further. Not necessarily in a new direction, though you'll find some fun twists on those characters you thought you knew, but instead to go deeper.
I'm going to use George RR Martin as a comparison, something I don't really like doing. I don't like the Author vs Author game that seems to get played in fantasy a lot. Read them both, you've got the time.
What George RR Martin did was to strip down those stereotypes. Rip away most of them really. And leave you with a gritty no nonsense fantasy book that is only just a slight sidestep away from reality. And he did it well.
What Joe Abercrombie did was to deepen those same cliches until enough meat and flesh has been piled on that they aren't really cliches anymore. And he does it well.
I love the pace too. I respect world building. Hell I love world building. But sometimes I worry that it comes at the cost of pace. Joe Abercrombie finds a balance that I like. You might not feel like you understand the world you're thrown into the middle of for a while, but the pace of these books clips along so nicely that before you know it you've stayed up far past your usual time just to squeeze another chapter in. And the world fills in around the edges as you go.
And here's a minor award - best sex scene in a fantasy book ever. And also the least sexy sex scene in a fantasy book ever. It's too much of a spoiler to go in to, even with the spoiler alert. But if you've read the book, you know which one I'm talking about. Joe Abercrombie managers to make that scene real. Real in it's passion frenzy disappointment, and compassion. I don't think a sex scene has ever turned me on less, and yet resonated emotionally more. Not sure you want to hang that award on your wall, but there it is.
I'm not going to dive right in to the last book in the trilogy. I want to savor it a bit. So i'm going to read something in between.
First Law Trilogy: Book Two
Sweet holy damn this was an awesome book. Far too many times a series has started promising only to disappoint in the second or third book. But Joe Abercrombie has just gotten better. These books are so good that I really really
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don't don't want to read the last book in the trilogy. I don't want the series to end. If it wasn't for the fact that I know Joe Abercrombie has written other books in this world I don't think I would. I think I'd shelve it and save it. Luckily, there are other books. I'm still going to read something in between just to prolong the joy of this series as long as I can.So the short version of this review - damn good book. If you like fantasy books, read this series. Read it now. If fantasy isn't your favorite genre, read these books anyway. They are just good books period.
And now, getting into some details, that will probably include spoilers. So you're warned.
Where do I start with the ways that i love this series. Lets start with the characters.
If I were to just list them, they would sound like cliches plucked from any other fantasy series. You have the sadistic torturer, the hardened warrior woman, the spoiled nobleman, the fierce northern warrior, the ancient wizard and his faithful apprentice.
But you are no novice fantasy reader, you've seen these tropes played upon before. You know that the sadistic torturer will find a chance at redemption, the nobleman will find honor through humility, and the ancient wizard will do wizardly things.
But Joe Abercrombie goes further. Not necessarily in a new direction, though you'll find some fun twists on those characters you thought you knew, but instead to go deeper.
I'm going to use George RR Martin as a comparison, something I don't really like doing. I don't like the Author vs Author game that seems to get played in fantasy a lot. Read them both, you've got the time.
What George RR Martin did was to strip down those stereotypes. Rip away most of them really. And leave you with a gritty no nonsense fantasy book that is only just a slight sidestep away from reality. And he did it well.
What Joe Abercrombie did was to deepen those same cliches until enough meat and flesh has been piled on that they aren't really cliches anymore. And he does it well.
I love the pace too. I respect world building. Hell I love world building. But sometimes I worry that it comes at the cost of pace. Joe Abercrombie finds a balance that I like. You might not feel like you understand the world you're thrown into the middle of for a while, but the pace of these books clips along so nicely that before you know it you've stayed up far past your usual time just to squeeze another chapter in. And the world fills in around the edges as you go.
And here's a minor award - best sex scene in a fantasy book ever. And also the least sexy sex scene in a fantasy book ever. It's too much of a spoiler to go in to, even with the spoiler alert. But if you've read the book, you know which one I'm talking about. Joe Abercrombie managers to make that scene real. Real in it's passion frenzy disappointment, and compassion. I don't think a sex scene has ever turned me on less, and yet resonated emotionally more. Not sure you want to hang that award on your wall, but there it is.
I'm not going to dive right in to the last book in the trilogy. I want to savor it a bit. So i'm going to read something in between.
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LibraryThing member libgirl69
I read the first book some time ago. Unfortunately book 2 provided no help in picking up the story again. That said, the characters are so well formed, with dialogue both witty and thoughtful, I didn't mind too much. Took a good few chapters though. Love the mix of characters, with the mix of
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universal truths aboutwar, how experience is gained and that nothing ever works out the way you thought it would. The Dogman rules! Show Less
Subjects
Awards
SF Site Reader's Choice (2007)
Language
Original publication date
2007-03-15
Physical description
671 p.; 20 inches
ISBN
0575082011 / 9780575082014