• Before They Are Hanged

  • By: Joe Abercrombie
  • Narrated by: Steven Pacey
  • Length: 22 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (19,537 ratings)

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Before They Are Hanged  By  cover art

Before They Are Hanged

By: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Publisher's summary

The second novel in the wildly popular First Law Trilogy from New York Times best seller Joe Abercrombie.

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.

First Law Trilogy:

  • The Blade Itself
  • Before They Are Hanged
  • Last Argument of Kings

For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out novels in the First Law World:

  • Best Served Cold
  • The Heroes
  • Red Country
©2015 Joe Abercrombie (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Exhilarating.... Abercrombie's knack for wit and grit holds your attention throughout, and his eye for character means that there's heart as well as muscle." [ SFX (UK)]

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What listeners say about Before They Are Hanged

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A gem!

Both the story and the narration are top notch. Listened to it inthe car, took detours so I could listen longer.

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6 people found this helpful

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first sentence true second is just a formality

Great Brook and great representation of the characters. I'm just writing this so I don't get fined.

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3 people found this helpful

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story jump from section to section

It's a good book but it can get confusing. Also it uses wierd words and it's not easy to understand.

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2 people found this helpful

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Brutally awesome

The characters are amazing. The story doesn't go the way you think it will. Read this book!

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1 person found this helpful

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One of the best narrators Ive heard

The story is wonderful; doesnt feel like a book 2, just feels like the last book kept gping. After Id finished the last audiobook, I had to look up Steven Pacey. I couldnt believe he wasnt a household name -at the very least for being an incredible character actor, if not a star in his own right. Im about to go get book 3, and Im not sure if Ill listen if its not done by Mr Pacey. If not, Ill read instead -with his voice in my head

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Amazing book, amazing narration.

This series is amazing and it honestly doesn't get any better than Steven Pacey as far as narration goes in my opinion.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful

one hell of a story from start to finish, I loved it. looking forward to the next book.

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Best series since Game of Thrones !

GrimDark Fantasy! So Gritty and satisfying. I already regret the coming end of this great tale. One book left and I don’t want it to end. Thank you Joe Abercrombie, for you work is grand.

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why do I do this?

Noone can deny how good this story is. You've got to be realistic about these things

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gripping story

Amazing narration, fascinating characters, gripping story! One of the best audiobooks I've ever heard!

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