Series: Book 2 in the The First Law series
Rating: ****
Tags: Epic, Fantasy, General, Science Fiction, Fiction, Lang:en
Summary
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. Starred Review. This grim and vivid sequel to 2007's
The Blade Itself transcends its middle volume
status, keeping the reader engaged with complicated plotting
and intriguing character development. As savage Northmen
invade Angland, the northernmost province of the unwieldy
Union, honorable, hard-working Union soldier Colonel West
watches his notions of civilized warfare erode in one
horrible battle after another. In Dagoska, a southern city
threatened by Gurkish soldiers and left undefended as Union
troops head to Angland, dreadfully maimed Inquisitor Glokta
employs tortures and deceptions to ferret out conspiracies
against the king. Ignoring these worldly concerns,
disreputable magus Bayaz of Calcis drives a squabbling little
band through a wasteland in search of a relic that can open a
gate to the realm of demons. Abercrombie leavens the bloody
action with moments of dark humor, developing a story
suffused with a rich understanding of human darkness and
light.
(Mar.)
"
Before They Are Hanged
grabs you and drags you along." -- SFF SITE
"
Before They Are Hanged is an excellent sequel from
an author writing compelling, character-driven, adult
fantasy,
for readers who want to be entertained as
well as challenged." -- SFF WORLD
"Dark, deeply ironic and full of character gems that will
appeal to your cynical side,
Before They Are Hanged is
as brilliant as its predecessor." -- John
Berlyne, SF REVU
"In my opinion, Joe Abercrombie possesses all the
qualities that made David Eddings such a powerhouse during
the 80s and 90s.
Before They Are Hanged is a satisfying sequel which
should establish Joe Abercrombie as
one of the bright new voices of the genre. "
-- FANTASY HOT LIST
"We're right there in the heads of these dudes, thanks to
the author's style of showcasing their thoughts. His knowing
turn of phrase means that situations often appear ironic,
with peripheral characters verging on the Dickensian. This
follow-up is
crammed with unexpected betrayals, murders and
liaisons, often catching us off guard." -- --Dave
Bradley, SFX
From Publishers Weekly
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