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

another amazing story

the narrative, the story, is incredible. from beggining to end this story was great! I am really looking forward to he last in the series!

Do yourself a favor and get this book

Finest author in the genre. This is not a novel for children, or for fans of unicorns and pixies. As fantasy books go, Mr Abercrombie writes his novels with an amazingly realistic portrayal of his many flawed but entertaining characters. Dark, gritty full of black humor, these books actually get better as the series progresses. Fantastic narration.

PRIDE AND SHAME DON'T FEED YOU

HONOR, WHAT GOOD IS IT?
YOU CAN'T DRINK IT.
YOU CAN'T F IT.
This is life as seen through the common man. It is a harsh life, which is reflected in the language, attitude and wisdom of our main characters. This is also a life where one day you may be the handsome hero and the next the ugly monster. The characters are well developed, interesting and complicated. Each day I listened to find out what was gong to happen to these characters I had become so invested in. JA is not as harsh as George R.R. Martin, but you can not always be assured your favorite characters are not going to come to some harm or be killed.

DOING BETTER, THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS.
This is a five star book, but I must admit that it is not as good as book 1. Unlike others, I felt the story in this one went a little long and that it was not that much of a story. If I good give six stars, I would give book one six and this book five. I also believe that it don't matter which book you read first. Like most trilogies this book is meant to keep your interest just long enough for you to want to buy the third book, and it worked.

AS FOR BEING A GOOD MAN, THAT SHIP SAILED LONG AGO AND I WAS NOT EVEN THERE TO SEE IT OFF.

An excellent book in an Excellent Series

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

This book ranks near the top of the fantasy-based/adventure books I've listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Logan Nine Fingers was my favorite character; but I liked many others as well.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I intend to. His reading is brilliant.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Tolkien for adults with a good sense of humor.

Any additional comments?

The writing is excellent. There are a few too many detailed battle scenes for my taste but I've come to expect and accept that with this genre. What Joe Abercrombie adds to the mix is insightful, compassionate, characterization and a wicked sense of humor. It's not often that authors of these sorts of books can make me laugh out loud, but he absolutely does. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and recommend it to anyone who appreciates good writing.

Best narrator. Period.

Wonderful story, right up there GOT and LOTR. The narrator is an absolute delight. Can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Joe Abercrombie has me hooked

The world Abercrombie creates is full and rich with a mixture of characters from the deluded narcissistic, to the very self aware self belittler. I just cannot hate his bad guys and find myself hating his so called good guys, but I think that is the point... This is a story about the collapse of a world and the destruction of life, while the politicians play games. No people this is fantasy not reality. Very enjoyable.

Part 2 of a Most Excellent Trilogy

Joe Abercrombie has become tied with Patrick Rothfuss for my favorite living author. I love this series--blood, grit and swearing notwithstanding but essential--it is a story so well written and so well portrayed by the narrator that I know I will loathe its ending when I complete the last entry of the trilogy. Luckily for me, Joe has kept on writing and there are more books waiting for me.

Unique characters, great plot, awesome narration!

This is every bit as great as I was hoping. The first book was superb. This was completely satisfying and I can't wait to read the third. It's a fantastic blend of several different characters who are surprisingly unique for the swords & sorcery genre. Humor, intrigue, combat, mystery, and a depth of character exploration that has me thoroughly interested in every aspect of the story. And the narration is top notch - there is no way this could be performed any better than Steven Pacey's incredible voice talent.

great series

I am relitening to the series and can not wait to hear the new ones.

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

I love this series, brutal, funny and extremely well written. Love Steven Pacey as well, he is a great reader, I look for more books that he reads.