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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Verdict: 4 ludwigs
Say one thing for Before They Are Hanged, say it's a bloody good read. And hell yeah, it's bloody! A thrilling adventure story that follows the brilliant characters introduced in The Blade Itself, and then turns everything up to eleven.
Why should you read it?
Because it is a mighty fine story that doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is. It sets out to entertain you, and if you like to be swept away by adventure, it will most certainly do that.
Why should you not read it?
Ermmm... because... Nope, can't think of a reason. Even non-fantasy readers will probably enjoy this. It's a bit like Indiana Jones meets Lord of the Rings... on a cocktail of acid and steroids.
Say one thing for Before They Are Hanged, say it's a bloody good read. And hell yeah, it's bloody! A thrilling adventure story that follows the brilliant characters introduced in The Blade Itself, and then turns everything up to eleven.
Why should you read it?
Because it is a mighty fine story that doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is. It sets out to entertain you, and if you like to be swept away by adventure, it will most certainly do that.
Why should you not read it?
Ermmm... because... Nope, can't think of a reason. Even non-fantasy readers will probably enjoy this. It's a bit like Indiana Jones meets Lord of the Rings... on a cocktail of acid and steroids.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Old Review*
This book was so awesome. The writing and pacing and such are all similar to the first book of course which I had loved. It also continues by telling the stories from many different characters paints of view. I've found this to be such an interesting way to tell the story as there are three completely different conflicts going on all around this world throughout the story. This obviously gets me excited to see how they will all come together in the final book.
What I feel this book improved upon even more so than the first is the world building aspect. The descriptions of the cold and unrelenting environment of a war torn Angland, the searing heat and general claustrophobic feel of Dagoska, and the vast emptiness of the West, all come together to create an idea of just how big this world is.
The only slightly weak point I could even think to point out is the beginning of the story of Bayaz's squad. It felt very overwhelming with the amount of lore being dropped that lowkey took a bit to piece together. Even then it all came together eventually for a satisfying tale of adventure. Plus with that group the lore truly comes second to the growth of each character and their growth as a group.
Of all the characters points of view, the most welcomed was that of Colonel West and Dogman. Each of them were in the north, their circumstances different, but reasoning the same. This created an awesome dynamic between the Northmen and the Union. The gradual acceptance of West by the Northman reaches its pinnacle when they jokingly give him the name "Furious". This speaks so much to his character since he has always forced himself to be a calm man. Always looked down on for where he came from. But in the wilderness of the North they saw him for who he really is. The headaches he always suffered when angry seem to go away after this moment. I am really curious to see what happens with his character and whether he gives in to his anger or keeps it in more just to return to the Union.
I also want to highlight some of the fights. First off when Bayaz's squad has their second conflict and Jezal effortlessly kills two people after he had so much fear of it was awesome (even though he got messed up later). I would also say that their next fight against the Shanka is one of the best parts of the whole book. When the Bloody-Nine comes out, the gore and fear not just of the enemies, but his own friends is described so well. Finally, the last battle in the book between the Northman and the Feared was THE best part of the book. An emotional fight that revealed Dogman's flaws which lend to his next arc as the next chief who has lost almost everyone and hardly has any faith in himself.
This book was so awesome. The writing and pacing and such are all similar to the first book of course which I had loved. It also continues by telling the stories from many different characters paints of view. I've found this to be such an interesting way to tell the story as there are three completely different conflicts going on all around this world throughout the story. This obviously gets me excited to see how they will all come together in the final book.
What I feel this book improved upon even more so than the first is the world building aspect. The descriptions of the cold and unrelenting environment of a war torn Angland, the searing heat and general claustrophobic feel of Dagoska, and the vast emptiness of the West, all come together to create an idea of just how big this world is.
The only slightly weak point I could even think to point out is the beginning of the story of Bayaz's squad. It felt very overwhelming with the amount of lore being dropped that lowkey took a bit to piece together. Even then it all came together eventually for a satisfying tale of adventure. Plus with that group the lore truly comes second to the growth of each character and their growth as a group.
Of all the characters points of view, the most welcomed was that of Colonel West and Dogman. Each of them were in the north, their circumstances different, but reasoning the same. This created an awesome dynamic between the Northmen and the Union. The gradual acceptance of West by the Northman reaches its pinnacle when they jokingly give him the name "Furious". This speaks so much to his character since he has always forced himself to be a calm man. Always looked down on for where he came from. But in the wilderness of the North they saw him for who he really is. The headaches he always suffered when angry seem to go away after this moment. I am really curious to see what happens with his character and whether he gives in to his anger or keeps it in more just to return to the Union.
I also want to highlight some of the fights. First off when Bayaz's squad has their second conflict and Jezal effortlessly kills two people after he had so much fear of it was awesome (even though he got messed up later). I would also say that their next fight against the Shanka is one of the best parts of the whole book. When the Bloody-Nine comes out, the gore and fear not just of the enemies, but his own friends is described so well. Finally, the last battle in the book between the Northman and the Feared was THE best part of the book. An emotional fight that revealed Dogman's flaws which lend to his next arc as the next chief who has lost almost everyone and hardly has any faith in himself.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Better than part one. Now with more plot! Still great.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes