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Before They Are Hanged

The First Law: Book Two

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Before They Are Hanged

Written by: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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About this listen

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
Fantasy Fiction City War
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What listeners say about Before They Are Hanged

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Second verse even better than the first!

I couldn't turn this book off! I listened to it while driving, cooking, in the shower....
Great story, can't wait for the next one, and Steven Pacey is a smooth and lively reader.

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Wonderfully written

This is a well told sword and board fantasy. The reader has an entertaining style and flair.

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keeps you guessing

I really enjoy this series. it gives a GOT vibe in the sense that not all good guys are completely good and not all bad guys are completely bad. the characters are well developed and the story while having the odd slow point is great. lots of political back stabbing etc. this is a dark series. I would definitely recommend

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Dark and gritty but enthralling

The performance is out of this world.... absolutely phenomenal. I love all of the characters every single one of them is incredibly well developed and I am Eager to get to book 3.

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great series so far

a friend reccomended this book to me and jm so glad I listened to the series.

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Amazing performance

Amazing story brought to life by a top notch performance. All 3 books are worth a read. I bought extra credits because I didn’t want to wait for my monthly credit to come.

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Amazing story with the best narrator

Steven Pacey is the best narrator I have come across. The book is excellent like the first

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Abercrombie & Pacey Audible Dynamic Duo

Joe Abercrombie again shows he is the best. Very entertaining, smart wit,
each main character is interesting and their back stories are slowly revealed throughout the book. I found myself laughing out loud and grinning around the house as I listened and re-listened to chapters to selfishly revel in the story.
Mr Pacey’s voice performance talents gives layered nuance to the many characters and seems to have a kinship of sorts interpreting J. A. works. A winning combination for all parties. I’m a fan of both JA & SP.

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Exemplary Middle Entry

There is a reason that Fantasy tales are told in Trilogies (besides buying the author time to complete a vision, building anticipation among fans, and the financial ones): Book One in the genre establishes the central characters and introduces world-building; Book Two engages in character development & fine-tuning of the setting - while advancing towards a climactic confrontation; Book Three is the payoff. The formula works.
Joe Abercrombie does a great job adhering to that pattern: 'Before They Are Hanged' elaborates on the fascinating characters introduced in 'The Blade Itself' - leading readers through engrossing personality evolutions. At the same time, he pens an action-heavy exposition describing three seperate fronts in the wars of "The Union": Colonel West & Three-Trees's company in the North; newly-promoted "Superior" Glokta in the South; and "First Of The Magi" Bayaz and companions heading West to obtain a magical weapon to confront a resurgent magical threat. On the way, we learn much more about 'The First Law' (basically "Don't Summon Demons") and the 'Second Law' ("Don't Eat Human Flesh").. both of which we find have been regularly violated (putting the world at risk). Notwithstanding a tendency to write a little too much sex, Abercrombie offers a fabulous bridging novel.

Truly outstanding reading from Steven Pacey contributes to the enjoyability of the book, too. Yes, I cringed every time he read the word 'grimaced' as "grim-AYSSED".. but his otherwise clever voice-acting and understanding of the author's intended tone - in particular - make this Orion Publishing Group production genuinely praiseworthy.

I rate this audiobook 9 stars out of 10. It's actually *better* than a very, very good Book One.. and it has me looking forward to listening to the final book of the Trilogy.

[ATTN PRODUCERS: The book mainly deals with battles and travels across Abercrombie's Union territory. An appended PDF with Maps would improve this product markedly]

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Truly Joe is the dark fantasy writer we deserve!

How is it possible to write about terrible people who you as the reader end up routing for? Well that is how well Joe Abercrombie does character building. Some of the best characters I have seen in any book setting. The conversations, thoughts and attitudes of the main characters are phenomenally well written and character progression is well thought out and implemented.

Steven Pacey is a prenominal narrator and became one of my favorites instantly when starting this series. My only regret is that he does not do more notable fantasy series.

All and all this and other books in the First Law series are amazing to listen to and will grip you long after you have stopped listening to the last chapter.

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