Before They Are Hanged

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 22 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The second novel in the wildly popular First Law Trilogy from New York Times best seller 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.

First Law Trilogy:

• The Blade Itself
• Before They Are Hanged
• Last Argument of Kings

For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out novels in the First Law World:

• Best Served Cold
• The Heroes
• Red Country

©2015 Joe Abercrombie (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Exhilarating.... Abercrombie's knack for wit and grit holds your attention throughout, and his eye for character means that there's heart as well as muscle." [ SFX (UK)]

Devoted the first book. Inhaled the second...

Writing this review while the third one downloads. Excellent story. Sort of Game of Thrones meets the Dark Tower. Excellent reader. There are a dozen or more characters, each with his or her own distinct voice, accent, speech impediment, tone... I listen in awe... wearing a steady grin!

A typical middle book in a trilogy.

Keeps the story going, but nothing overly exciting. The larger world feels under developed. Some very jarring... Erotica... But all in all a worth while read.

Same Level as Tolkien / Sanderson

I couldn't be any more satisfied with Before They Are Hanged. Fantastic. In fact, every one of Abercrombie's novels in this trilogy are a superlative work of art; 5 starts across the board. There's 'experience' in his writing, the plot lines and themes are perfectly crafted, and Pacey's narration is simply exceptional. These novels are on the level of Tolkien, Jordon, and Sanderson. Bravo.

Unexpected & Wonderful

I love when a writer surprises me. At the start of the series I found myself wondering what the story was about. Soon, however, I was so captivated by the characters that I stopped asking the question! Behold, the story develops and seems to be blooming into something magnificent!

A Great Sequel To The Best Fantasy Series!

I've been listening to many audio-books and I am so thrilled that I finally gave the First Law Trilogy a try. The sequel continues the satisfaction I had after the first book. I am hooked. Joe Abercrombie's characters are just delicious. They are fully conceived and artfully portrayed with a fantastic menagerie of distinctive personas by Steven Pacey. I devoured each book with the ferocity of a starved eater. My only regret is that the squeal to the series has yet to be written. In the meantime, I've now started one of the stand alone books, Best Served Cold, also performed by Steven Pacey. If you love action, witty humor, fantastic characters, both male and female, a bit of cloak and dagger as well as some passionate moments, you're in for a great ride. Thank you Joe Abercrombie and Steven Pacey for the wondrous world both written and performed.

amazing characters

the way the author build characters is simply brilliant and the narrator is perfect. the story flows well and is never lacking or boring

Excellent continuity following

The second of the series and second of my experience with author and reader. Again I must say this reader (Pacey) is absolutely genius!

These series are less monsters and magic and more days of our lives but the writing and characters are tangible and you can feel them.

Pacey is too good for my words. So good with Glokta 's lisping voice when he's speaking out loud and no lisp when he's thinking in his own mind.

Unlike the first book this a lot of profanity and F-bombs. Some sex. I don't like theses elements. I find them cheap. And Abercrombie needs to use the thesaurus for a word for "grimace". But truly despite these things this series is a favorite!! Well worth it!

Joe Abercrombie & Steven Pacey = Sheer Genius!

What made the experience of listening to Before They Are Hanged the most enjoyable?

The fact that this was a continuation of the 1st book was enough to make me hunger to read this one. I continue to be in awe from the first page to the last. But by far the most enjoyable thing apart from the writing itself was the narration by Steven Pacey. He is in a class all by himself. Had me "grimacing" and laughing throughout.

What did you like best about this story?

Never have I enjoyed a story so much. Rich character development, flawless plot building, and the dialogue so rich and realistic. I found myself listening while driving, at work, at bedtime; I actually turned of the TV to listen. That says a lot for me.

What about Steven Pacey’s performance did you like?

Every character had it's own voice, complete with speech impediments, accents, tone of voice and inflection, even the narration parts were so spot on. He must be the best in the business.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

I only wish I hadn't found Mr. Abercrombie sooner. But then I wouldn't be able to binge read/listen without having to wait for the next installment. Pure joy!

Just as good as the first

One of my favorite narrators after hearing the first two of this series. Built on the characters from the first, giving them more depth and telling an engaging story. Can't wait to hear the next one!

Best series I've read and the voice performance!

best series I've read and the voice performance is nothing short of astounding!! How did I not find this series years ago??