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  • Before They Are Hanged

  • The First Law: Book Two
  • By: Joe Abercrombie
  • Narrated by: Steven Pacey
  • Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (6,811 ratings)
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Before They Are Hanged cover art

Before They Are Hanged

By: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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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

What listeners say about Before They Are Hanged

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I have just been hunting through my favourite authors, looking for some new releases from them, and realised that I hadn't rated this book yet!! When it comes to a Joe Abercrombie-Steven Pacey combination, I feel it part of my listener's duties to at least rate it, even if I don't write a full review.

Five stars it is. All round! Story, Performance, Overall! I've just re-read my review of the first book in the series, and realise how lukewarm it sounds. Clearly book one was just the warm up. Book 2 (and 3!) were outstanding. Steven Pacey brought it all to life with what must surely be an award-winning performance. Joe Abercrombie's writing is gritty, colourful, and positively alive. This is one of my favourite series.

When I'm trying to encourage somebody to try an audiobook for the first time, and if they're into fantasy, then Joe Abercrombie is always in my top three suggested! Always. And an Abercrombie-Pacey combination is hard to beat.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An EXCELLENT trilogy, BRILLIANTLY narrated

An excellent audiobook brilliantly narrated.

This is the second book in Joe Abercrombie's 'First Law' trilogy and it is important to read/listen to the books in order to get the most out of them.

The book picks up more or less when part 1 ended. There are now three distinct story lines involving Glokta, Major West and the Byas expedition and they are pretty much separate throughout. There is also a lot more action. But the main strengths of the first book continue: well written, excellent characters and plots and a tour de force of narration by Stephen Pacey, who brings the book brilliantly to life. Stunning is the only word to describe his performance.

A five star listen - I'm already onto to part 3!

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

You have to be realistic - actually no you don't!

Logan Ninefingers often reminds us that "you have to be realistic", and normally in life that's fine advice especially when starting books that are getting such massively positive reviews. Sorry Logan, there are just some special occasions when you can forget realism and just escape it for a while. Judging by this series so far listening to an audiobook with the names Abercrombie and Pacey on it is one of those all too rare occasions.

There are few series out there that manage to deliver such incredible depth of characters, genuinely exciting storyline and yet still find ways to make you laugh regularly. Off the top of my head I can only think of one that has done this quite so well albeit with a very different storyline and in a completely different genre. Pacey here is the obvious link to Jussi Adler-Olsen's wonderful Department Q series but there's so much more to it than that.

The characters like Glokta for example, a twisted cripple, a husk of a man in constant pain, in turns deliciously evil and yet so human. The mingling of his thoughts with the main dialogue is a pure delight and no-one could do him much better than Pacey. He is portrayed so differently to the usual clichéd, pompous inquisitor types. He sees things for what they are and doesn't feign ignorance of things like the effects of rough treatment on a people. His assessments of the city of Dagoska and the people there demonstrate how well he is written.

The other characters too are richly drawn and I think that they are characters I will take to the grave with me, remembered long after others have faded back to the mud. Logan himself, Ferro, Giselle, so many to choose from and they take part in a much faster-moving and action-packed storyline in this instalment.

As for that comedy I mentioned, the sardonic and intimate thoughts of the likes of Glokta and Logan will keep the corners of your mouth twitching throughout. However something like two thirds of the way through the book is possibly my favourite ever "romantic encounter" scene of all-time. They aren't something I often remark upon but this is genuinely something a touch remarkable. I'll say no more but you'll see what I mean when you get to it!

Say one thing about Joe Abercrombie he writes a good book. Say one thing about Steven Pacey, he reads a good book very well.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

How to apply dark comedy to a gritty fantasy


Joe Abercombie continues on top form with his second installment.

Story – 4.5/5

I did feel like a lot of the story was unnecessary to the overall aim, but what it did help to do was develop the characters, and this was clearly Joe Abercrombie’s intention, as he has set it up for one hell of a ride in the conclusion to the trilogy (which I have already read)

Each of the characters becomes even more likeable, and the dark comedy becomes even funnier as you learn more and the story develops. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect, and I found I couldn’t turn the audio book off.

This story has more action and violence than the first, concentrating on both the battles themselves as well as the politics behind them.

Performance – 5/5

Steven Pacey is one of the best narrators out there. His character acting was flawless, each having a distinctive and believable voice. His narration enhanced the dark comedy and whit of Joe Abercrombie’s writing

Music/sound effects between scenes/chapters was a nice touch as well

Overall – 4.5/5

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent sequel.

This book continues the brilliant form of the first. There are some new characters introduced but mainly it continues the stories of the diverse and varied cast from the first book. It is bloodier than the first, with more battles and action, but retains the intelligence and humour of the first. A remarkable series of books so far, made all the more enjoyable by the narrator. An excellent effort all round!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The narration is a delight

I have already read all of abercrombie's novels and I liked them so much I decided to get the whole series on audio.
The story is as wonderful as I remember it but what makes this so good is Steven Pacey's narration, he is brilliant. As soon as he starts talking you know exactly who is speaking and his accents are wonderful. Quite simply Pacey is one of the best narrators working today I cannot compliment him enough.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

These books are the reason I need more credits !!!

This second part of the trilogy is not the "mark time till the finale" filler usually found in fantasy trilogies. The characters are solid and the story makes turning off your mp3 player very hard.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Flipping brilliant

Kept me gripped all the way through. Voice acting was clear and excellent. Highly recommend.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

awesome book

An excellent book with awesome narration. The narrator brings the book to life with distinct voices for every character. I laughed out loud in a way I likely never would if I'd have been reading this book myself. Highly recommended!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good middle book to a well written trilogy.

Joe Abercrombie's "The First Law" trilogy is really growing on me (I have not read the 3rd book yet).

The second book in the series picks up where the first left off, upping the tempo on our journey of intrigue and danger, developing the main characters further and thrusting them deeper into the vortex of events which will leave the world around them forever changed.

The book has elements of surprise, and its only when you reach the end the that thing do not quite turn out as you expected.

The description of the war is realistic and portrayed in all it's horror. Let's be honest, war is ugly and this is where the author shows his great story writing skills.

Steven Pacey's narration is one of the best. He is soft, he is scared, he is dangerous, he is a man of many distinctive voices.

I would recommend this book to any fantasy fan.

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3 people found this helpful