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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
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
I loved each of the plot lines and how different they were from each other: with Glokta we get to see a bit of warfare, but lots of political intrigue (and torture!). With West and Dogman, we get to see warfare up close and bloody, and then with Logen, Jezal, and Ferro, we get more of an understanding of the world and the wider plot, as well as some fantastic character development. In The Blade Itself, I felt that Jezal was a pompous asshole, but I found myself starting to like him after his “awakening”.
Not quite a 5 star as I felt the last 2 chapters were a bit “meh” after the masterful battle scene in the North and then the questions raised after Glokta has a visitor, though that’s not to say they were bad, just an anticlimactic few pages after the previous chapters.
I look forward to finishing the trilogy and seeing where things go from here!
4.5/5
Not quite a 5 star as I felt the last 2 chapters were a bit “meh” after the masterful battle scene in the North and then the questions raised after Glokta has a visitor, though that’s not to say they were bad, just an anticlimactic few pages after the previous chapters.
I look forward to finishing the trilogy and seeing where things go from here!
4.5/5
Second read 2022: 4 stars
Just like the first time around, I enjoyed this slightly more than book 1. Kinda makes sense though, because this is just such a character-driven series that it's only natural to start enjoying it more as you spend more time with them.
Jezal is fucking hysterical btw. I could read an entire book from his perspective and I'm sure I'd be so entertained, lol.
Quite glad I decided to reread this one, can't wait to finish it up with book 3 soon :)
*******************
First read 2020: 4 stars
Just like the first time around, I enjoyed this slightly more than book 1. Kinda makes sense though, because this is just such a character-driven series that it's only natural to start enjoying it more as you spend more time with them.
Jezal is fucking hysterical btw. I could read an entire book from his perspective and I'm sure I'd be so entertained, lol.
Quite glad I decided to reread this one, can't wait to finish it up with book 3 soon :)
*******************
First read 2020: 4 stars
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
-The characters have now been divided into 3 storylines, one of which is a grand quest
-the characters have only gotten better and better
-the characters have only gotten better and better
I think this one flowed a lot better than the first one. And of course I care more about the main characters now.
I also have no friggan clue where the final book is going to go.
I also have no friggan clue where the final book is going to go.
First(?) re-read: 2022
Original Rating: 5 stars
New Rating: 4.5 stars
-------
Technically this is not my first book of 2017, it is more of remnants of 2016 (which is a bad year). And I started to read this during the first semester and I find it hard to read this and studying at the same time (though I've finished the [b:first book|944073|The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1)|Joe Abercrombie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1284167912l/944073._SX50_SY75_.jpg|929009]) so I put it on hold, while reading other lighter novels (and playing videogames and of course studying).
So I'm glad that I've finished this novel and I really liked Abercrombie's writing since you wanted to read every word of his book, unlike the other books I tend to skip paragraphs or pages since it seems to diverge from the plot or it contributes little to none at all. And most second book of trilogies seems to be a weak or an average book, but this book doesn't suffer from the "second-book syndrome", it is even better than The Blade Itself (the first book, not the "blade" itself, I know you know this but still . . . )
If you are a fan of GREAT fantasy series, I highly recommend this book for you. (And also while waiting for the seventh season of Game of Thrones, or perhaps the next book of Game of Thrones series).
Other great fantasy series:
[a:Joe Abercrombie|276660|Joe Abercrombie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1421267339p2/276660.jpg]'s [b:Shattered Sea Trilogy|18666047|Half a King (Shattered Sea, #1)|Joe Abercrombie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389378321l/18666047._SY75_.jpg|25641726] - written by the same of author of The First Law Series
[a:Pierce Brown|6474348|Pierce Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1417558860p2/6474348.jpg]'s [b:Red Rising Trilogy|15839976|Red Rising (Red Rising Saga, #1)|Pierce Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461354651l/15839976._SY75_.jpg|21580644] - fantasy + sci-fi = a must read series
[a:Marie Rutkoski|1238111|Marie Rutkoski|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1626046952p2/1238111.jpg]'s [b:The Winner Trilogy|16069030|The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)|Marie Rutkoski|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377023523l/16069030._SX50_.jpg|21861552] - for YA Fantasy fans with romance
Original Rating: 5 stars
New Rating: 4.5 stars
-------
Technically this is not my first book of 2017, it is more of remnants of 2016 (which is a bad year). And I started to read this during the first semester and I find it hard to read this and studying at the same time (though I've finished the [b:first book|944073|The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1)|Joe Abercrombie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1284167912l/944073._SX50_SY75_.jpg|929009]) so I put it on hold, while reading other lighter novels (and playing videogames and of course studying).
So I'm glad that I've finished this novel and I really liked Abercrombie's writing since you wanted to read every word of his book, unlike the other books I tend to skip paragraphs or pages since it seems to diverge from the plot or it contributes little to none at all. And most second book of trilogies seems to be a weak or an average book, but this book doesn't suffer from the "second-book syndrome", it is even better than The Blade Itself (the first book, not the "blade" itself, I know you know this but still . . . )
If you are a fan of GREAT fantasy series, I highly recommend this book for you. (And also while waiting for the seventh season of Game of Thrones, or perhaps the next book of Game of Thrones series).
Other great fantasy series:
[a:Joe Abercrombie|276660|Joe Abercrombie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1421267339p2/276660.jpg]'s [b:Shattered Sea Trilogy|18666047|Half a King (Shattered Sea, #1)|Joe Abercrombie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389378321l/18666047._SY75_.jpg|25641726] - written by the same of author of The First Law Series
[a:Pierce Brown|6474348|Pierce Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1417558860p2/6474348.jpg]'s [b:Red Rising Trilogy|15839976|Red Rising (Red Rising Saga, #1)|Pierce Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461354651l/15839976._SY75_.jpg|21580644] - fantasy + sci-fi = a must read series
[a:Marie Rutkoski|1238111|Marie Rutkoski|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1626046952p2/1238111.jpg]'s [b:The Winner Trilogy|16069030|The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)|Marie Rutkoski|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377023523l/16069030._SX50_.jpg|21861552] - for YA Fantasy fans with romance
I liked this book, but it was hard for me to feel captivated by it. I think that knowing this is *grimdark* just put a wall between me and the characters, so I don't feel attached to any of them. The characters all feel distinct and most have interesting character arcs, though at times it feels like the book follows too many characters to give all of them enough time. Glokta and Logan Ninefingers remain the most interesting narratives to me, but Logan especially feels like he's just carried along by the plot.
There are a lot of fight scenes in this book, and I do think they are written well. Many reviews praise this trilogy and the author for these fight scenes, and I agree with that praise. There are also some snappy bits of dialogue, and Glokta's internal commentary remains a highlight of my reading experience.
I am interested to see how the third book wraps up the plot threads or the character arcs. How does the war with Bethod end? What will Bayaz do? Will Ferro achieve any of the vengeance she wants? What plots will Glokta uncover? Will the Union survive? Should it survive? Is Quai ever going to do any magic?
There are a lot of fight scenes in this book, and I do think they are written well. Many reviews praise this trilogy and the author for these fight scenes, and I agree with that praise. There are also some snappy bits of dialogue, and Glokta's internal commentary remains a highlight of my reading experience.
I am interested to see how the third book wraps up the plot threads or the character arcs. How does the war with Bethod end? What will Bayaz do? Will Ferro achieve any of the vengeance she wants? What plots will Glokta uncover? Will the Union survive? Should it survive? Is Quai ever going to do any magic?
Before They Are Hanged is by far my favorite of the three books in this trilogy. The character progression in this middle book is fantastic for the most part, and Jezal's in particular did not disappoint.
Abercrombie's skill in characterization, dialogue and atmosphere is incredible. As characters find themselves in new environments after the first book, we get to see the nuances and layers in their motives and personalities deepen and change as they come up against new threats and alliances.
I'm still not a fan of Bayaz as a character, I found him insufferable through most of the book, which I understand may be the point, but I found myself wanting to skim whenever he showed up on the page.
Once again, I have to give a shoutout to the excellent combat writing in this book. The wry portrayal of military leadership and soldier life fits right in to Abercrombie's general enjoyment of subverting the typical classic fantasy tropes. There are no true heroes to be found here.
Excellent, engaging narrative voice with distinctive character arcs and some fantastic battle sequences. What more could you want?
Abercrombie's skill in characterization, dialogue and atmosphere is incredible. As characters find themselves in new environments after the first book, we get to see the nuances and layers in their motives and personalities deepen and change as they come up against new threats and alliances.
I'm still not a fan of Bayaz as a character, I found him insufferable through most of the book, which I understand may be the point, but I found myself wanting to skim whenever he showed up on the page.
Once again, I have to give a shoutout to the excellent combat writing in this book. The wry portrayal of military leadership and soldier life fits right in to Abercrombie's general enjoyment of subverting the typical classic fantasy tropes. There are no true heroes to be found here.
Excellent, engaging narrative voice with distinctive character arcs and some fantastic battle sequences. What more could you want?
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
A strong sequel, growing bloodier with a forced team up between conflicting personalities. Fantastic character growth in a rich, dark world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Sexual content