Before They Are Hanged

The First Law: Book Two

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Bitter and merciless war is coming to the frozen north. It's bloody and dangerous, and the Union army, split by politics and hamstrung by incompetence, is unprepared for the slaughter that's coming. Lacking experience, training, and in some cases even weapons, the army is scarcely equipped to repel Bethod's scouts, let alone his elite forces.

In the heat-ravaged south, the Gurkish are massing to assault the city of Dagoska, defended by Inquisitor Glokta. The city is braced for the inevitable defeat and massacre to come... but a plot is festering to hand the city to its besiegers without a fight, and the previous Inquisitor of Dagoska vanished without trace. Threatened from within and without the city, Glokta needs answers, and he needs them soon.

And to the east, a small band of malefactors travel to the edge of the world to reclaim a device from history - a Seed, hidden for generations - with tremendous destructive potential. A device which could put a end to war, to the army of Eaters in the South, to the invasion of Shanka from the North - but only if it can be found, and only if its power can be controlled.

©2007 Joe Abercrombie (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited

LOVE this series

Any additional comments?

If you are debating continuing with this series, keep going. I loved it. It only gets better.

Classic

Gets better with every listen. Stella story with great reading. Does not get boring, ever. And thats A fact

Fantastic

The first law trilogy is a crowning achievement of gritty no punches pulled fantasy. excellent storytelling, and excellent voice acting.

Not only a great book, written by a true dude too.

Joe has had a massive impact on the fantasy world with his debut trilogy "The First Law"

The story revolves around some truly interesting and humanized relationships, and the internal reflection and conflict which each of us experiences from time to time. Due to this it is a very easy listen, and despite initial dislike of the characters flaws, you come to admire their determination, courage, and perseverance.

One of the nice things about the book is the very realistic portrayal of Logan Nine-fingers or "The bloody Nine", in regards to his internalized struggle to remain human in the face of the horrors he perpetrated in the past.

Many of the twists appear to head one way, but then truly twist into something else, keeping your mind alert to the nuances of the dialogue, and setting.

Recommend as a Must have for fantasy readers.

Enjoy. :)

The mid-trilogy slog

This is a solid continuation for many excellent characters. Characters you loved in the first book get deeper, and you learn to love the b-team just as much if not more. The narrator gives each a voice, and conveys their suspicion and anger and fleeting honor with impressive clarity.

The only downside is that the author has every intention of frustrating and tormenting these lovable trolls, and it's hard to see much positive progress in the story itself.

one of the best

the story by itself is amazing but the narrator knocks it out of the park.

pacey nails it.

best character voices I've ever heard. masterful performance and pacing. big time talent, don't miss out.

Get sucked in this world that feels so real

Where does Before They Are Hanged rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 5.

What other book might you compare Before They Are Hanged to and why?

It has very strong caracterisation, and the setting is rather gritty. A song of fire and ice (but much shorted), the black company (but less about war).

Any additional comments?

Impossible to stop listening (very hard anyway)

EXCELLENT!!!

The best fantasy series of all time, done by the best narrator of all time. Period.

Best fantasy series I've ever inhaled. SO GOOD.

If you havent read thes yet, there is no triplet in this genre I can recommend more highly. I'm on maybe my fourth read-through, still every bit as enjoyable as the first.