Before they are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie

Before They Are Hanged (The First Law #2) – 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.

My Review of Before they are Hanged

Oh, I absolutely love this series.

I listened to the audio version of this one. If you have read any of my reviews lately you would know that I am on a self-inflicted book ban until I finish my masters in 1.5 months’ time. But I still listen to audiobooks while I am driving, doing housework etc.

I did start this one back in January but actually left it for a while. I found the start of it to be a little slow and I found the only storyline I actually cared about was Glokta’s.

However, I went back into it again around the halfway mark and it really picked up. Glokta’s storyline is still by far the best of the lot, but I really enjoyed the whole thing.

The characters from The Blade Itself are back continuing their campaign in this grimdark fantasy series.

I was completely surprised how absolutely hilarious it was going to be in the second half. The narrator of the audio version does Glokta better than any other narrator has EVER done any other character in history. I just LOVE Glokta. I don’t care that he is an awful person who has done some horrific things, just think his character is absolutely the best character in fantasy. Ever. Every chapter he is in is enjoyable. I love how his mind work and his history. I would be perfectly happy if the whole series was only Glokta!

Coming in a close second is NineFingers and Ferro’s quest with the magician – I love Ferro too.

It is no surprise that this series is on everyone’s top fantasy series list. It is not even so much the plot, which to be honest didn’t exactly move much throughout this book compared to other epic fantasy novels. However, even though the plot was slow-moving, the CHARACTERISATIONS were not! Every single character has grown and developed. Every single character is getting more enjoyable to read about. You care about them all, or at least most of them. But DON’T GET ATTACHED! Because nobody is safe in this universe. Characters you love are going to die.

There is some romance in this one and some not-quite romance. I can’t even tell you how many times I laughed uncontrollably in some parts of the second half. I have not laughed so hard reading a book before – I almost had to pull over my car I was in tears.

An amazing second installment in this trilogy, I have already started listening to the third!

I couldn’t possibly give this any less than 4.5 stars. So close to perfection.

(4.5 / 5)