Before They Are Hanged: Book Two Of The First Law (Gollancz SF S.) (original 2007; edition 2007)

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
First Law Trilogy: Book Two

Sweet holy damn this was an awesome book. Far too many times a series has started promising only to disappoint in the second or third book. But Joe Abercrombie has just gotten better. These books are so good that I really really don't don't want to read the last book in the trilogy. I don't want the series to end. If it wasn't for the fact that I know Joe Abercrombie has written other books in this world I don't think I would. I think I'd shelve it and save it. Luckily, there are other books. I'm still going to read something in between just to prolong the joy of this series as long as I can.
So the short version of this review - damn good book. If you like fantasy books, read this series. Read it now. If fantasy isn't your favorite genre, read these books anyway. They are just good books period.
And now, getting into some details, that will probably include spoilers. So you're warned.
Where do I start with the ways that i love this series. Lets start with the characters.
If I were to just list them, they would sound like cliches plucked from any other fantasy series. You have the sadistic torturer, the hardened warrior woman, the spoiled nobleman, the fierce northern warrior, the ancient wizard and his faithful apprentice.
But you are no novice fantasy reader, you've seen these tropes played upon before. You know that the sadistic torturer will find a chance at redemption, the nobleman will find honor through humility, and the ancient wizard will do wizardly things.
But Joe Abercrombie goes further. Not necessarily in a new direction, though you'll find some fun twists on those characters you thought you knew, but instead to go deeper.
I'm going to use George RR Martin as a comparison, something I don't really like doing. I don't like the Author vs Author game that seems to get played in fantasy a lot. Read them both, you've got the time.
What George RR Martin did was to strip down those stereotypes. Rip away most of them really. And leave you with a gritty no nonsense fantasy book that is only just a slight sidestep away from reality. And he did it well.
What Joe Abercrombie did was to deepen those same cliches until enough meat and flesh has been piled on that they aren't really cliches anymore. And he does it well.
I love the pace too. I respect world building. Hell I love world building. But sometimes I worry that it comes at the cost of pace. Joe Abercrombie finds a balance that I like. You might not feel like you understand the world you're thrown into the middle of for a while, but the pace of these books clips along so nicely that before you know it you've stayed up far past your usual time just to squeeze another chapter in. And the world fills in around the edges as you go.
And here's a minor award - best sex scene in a fantasy book ever. And also the least sexy sex scene in a fantasy book ever. It's too much of a spoiler to go in to, even with the spoiler alert. But if you've read the book, you know which one I'm talking about. Joe Abercrombie managers to make that scene real. Real in it's passion frenzy disappointment, and compassion. I don't think a sex scene has ever turned me on less, and yet resonated emotionally more. Not sure you want to hang that award on your wall, but there it is.
I'm not going to dive right in to the last book in the trilogy. I want to savor it a bit. So i'm going to read something in between. ( )

This book built more on characters than on plot -- and it does it very, very well. I thought I'd never like Jezal, but I'm sort of getting fond of him, and we see a bit more of Ferro that makes her a bit more likeable. I'm getting steadily more wary about Bayaz, and wondering what the heck's up with Malacus Quai.

I thought it maybe could have done with a touch more time for Jezal to start being a decent guy, and maybe a bit more development between Ferro and Logen. Still, the way Ferro and Logen got together was appropriately awkward! And it's good that everything between them doesn't suddenly become unicorns and puppies.

The darkness and cynicism is nice. I'd hate to see it become a gimmick of Abercrombie's, should he write more: I'd get very bored of stuff written in exactly this style. It fits this world, but... I guess we'll have to see.

On, swiftly, to the third book! ( )

This book wasn't quite as good at the first in the series but it was still an excellent read. The characters are flushed out a bit more but most of the book seemed to be centered around setting up the third book. Be warned that this book has plenty of blood and violence but no hangings as the title suggests. I'm looking forward to the third book and have a feeling that things aren't going to be wrapped up in the way that you might expect, based on the endings of books 1 and 2.

4.5 stars. Where The Blade Itself served as a great introduction to the world of Joe Abercrombie, Before They Are Hanged really gets into the adventure.

I enjoyed the characters as they were introduced in Book 1, but here they are allowed to grow and interact with one another. Sand dan Glokta is perhaps the most brilliant anti-hero lecherous protagonist ever! I love his chapters above all others. His snide thoughts are interjected in response to comments made by those he deals with. These are what he wants to say, but does not. They're usually hilarious.

I also love the Northmen. Their banter and Three-Stoogey way of doing things makes for great entertainment. But while they're quite funny at times, they can kick some serious ass as well. It's not all fun and games.

Definitely looking forward to Book 3. ( )

The characters introduced in the first book follow their obvious arcs to their conclusion in this one. The crippled torturer deals again with the foe that almost destroyed him. The dashing swordsman learns humility, the batshit insane assassin humanity, the uptight soldier perspective. And throughout are the hints that nothing is quite what it seems... ( )