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Before They are Hanged

Joe Abercrombie

Ages 16+

Readers rate it 4.3 (1.7K on Hardcover)

441 pages · Released 2007

Content report card

What's inside

High confidence

What it offers

Educational value

A note for parents

Before They Are Hanged is the second book in Joe Abercrombie's grimdark First Law series, intended for adult readers. The novel contains extensive depictions of war, graphic violence, and morally compromised characters operating in brutal circumstances. While engaging and well-written, it is not appropriate for younger teens due to its dark tone, frequent profanity, and mature themes of betrayal, torture, and the futility of war.

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From the publisher

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 utterly 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 scout... 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 utterly 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 the cream of his 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, preparations are made to make the Gurkish pay for every inch of land . . . but a plot is festering to hand the city to its beseigers 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 . . .

Shelved under

  • Fantasy fiction
  • Strong Character Development
  • Diverse Characters
  • A mix driven
  • Loveable Characters
  • Unloveable Characters
  • Not Diverse Characters
  • Character driven
  • Weak Character Development
  • Plot driven
  • fantlab-import
  • dark

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ISBN 9780575077881 · Orion