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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
I didn't realise it right after I finished the first book The Blade Itself but after just a few pages of Before They Are Hanged it dawned on my how much I love the characters in the The First Law trilogy. As many people before me have probably said, Joe Abercrombie is a master of well written characters. They definitely not good people (or only starting to be) but they're damn fun to read about.
Before They Are Hanged picks up right after the first book and is much more actionpacked that its predecessor. The first book felt more like an introduction into the characters and the world, in the second book we follow said characters on their individual journeys and get a better view on the bigger picture and plot. The trangression of the different arcs within this story is quite different, we still only get smaller glimps at what will happen, what is the bigger threat here and we're already starting the last book in the story next. I'm really curious to see how the author will wrap up the story but I'm very optimistic. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the individual character arcs with some minor exceptions where I'm a bit clueless why these people started to change and behave differently. On the positive side, there is of course Jezal who is becoming one of my favourite characters!
I'm both excited and sad to end this trilogy and I'll definitely pick it up next month. 4.5 stars.
Before They Are Hanged picks up right after the first book and is much more actionpacked that its predecessor. The first book felt more like an introduction into the characters and the world, in the second book we follow said characters on their individual journeys and get a better view on the bigger picture and plot. The trangression of the different arcs within this story is quite different, we still only get smaller glimps at what will happen, what is the bigger threat here and we're already starting the last book in the story next. I'm really curious to see how the author will wrap up the story but I'm very optimistic. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the individual character arcs with some minor exceptions where I'm a bit clueless why these people started to change and behave differently. On the positive side, there is of course Jezal who is becoming one of my favourite characters!
I'm both excited and sad to end this trilogy and I'll definitely pick it up next month. 4.5 stars.
Joe Abercrombie continues his fantastic trilogy, each character continues to grow and feel unique, the stories was gripping, I loved it.
The story begins with Glokta travelling to the soon to be seiged city of Dagoska to work out why the previous superior was killed, only to find a hive of villany and deceipt. I rather enjoyed that both Gurkish emmisarys were killed when they were both arguably innocent! Glokta ends up fleeing home, finding hes actually done better than expected and now Sult expects him to help make him king once the current one passes.
Theres trouble with the peasants, as theres "the tanner" going around causing trouble!
Colonel West has trouble on multiple fronts, getting to know Logens old team, and them helping the empire to take on Flat heads and some of Bethods forces. Given I have read the last argument of kings, some of the battles seem a bit remedial, but on first read they are tense, gripping and interesting. I just didnt feel that so much 2nd time round.
Arguably the weakest plot line is Bayaz's travelling to the edge of the world for the seed, which it turns out isnt there. However, this is mostly saved due to Jezal's phenominal character growth after being hit in the face with a mace during a battle! I think my main gripe is when Bayaz runs into other members of the Magi, I want to explore their backstory and characters more, but it all to often felt fleeting.
Overall, this is a re-read (Novermber 2020) I still REALLY enjoyed it. I am a self-described huge Abercrombie fan, I have actually held off reading some of his books becuase I dont want to ruin it for myself too fast. Really enjoyed coming back to this world though. Worth it.
The story begins with Glokta travelling to the soon to be seiged city of Dagoska to work out why the previous superior was killed, only to find a hive of villany and deceipt. I rather enjoyed that both Gurkish emmisarys were killed when they were both arguably innocent! Glokta ends up fleeing home, finding hes actually done better than expected and now Sult expects him to help make him king once the current one passes.
Theres trouble with the peasants, as theres "the tanner" going around causing trouble!
Colonel West has trouble on multiple fronts, getting to know Logens old team, and them helping the empire to take on Flat heads and some of Bethods forces. Given I have read the last argument of kings, some of the battles seem a bit remedial, but on first read they are tense, gripping and interesting. I just didnt feel that so much 2nd time round.
Arguably the weakest plot line is Bayaz's travelling to the edge of the world for the seed, which it turns out isnt there. However, this is mostly saved due to Jezal's phenominal character growth after being hit in the face with a mace during a battle! I think my main gripe is when Bayaz runs into other members of the Magi, I want to explore their backstory and characters more, but it all to often felt fleeting.
Overall, this is a re-read (Novermber 2020) I still REALLY enjoyed it. I am a self-described huge Abercrombie fan, I have actually held off reading some of his books becuase I dont want to ruin it for myself too fast. Really enjoyed coming back to this world though. Worth it.
This is the journey segment of the trilogy. There are a few twists that don’t make everything a foregone conclusion, but for the most part you can see it coming. This book is here for the character work and excellent warfare in a brutal world that is more grey as it goes on. You see how each character develops due to their experiences, but mostly in a direct path.
I really enjoyed my time with it, and really flew through it, but I wish it had taken a few more chances. There is this undercurrent of magic that doesn’t really get touched on beyond being a story device. It, in segments, almost feels as though it doesn’t need to be there sadly. Its uses are still more hinted at than actually explored, and in a way he has written himself into a corner on this aspect. I understand that not every story needs to be of grand wizards casting spells like they’re going out of style, but then in this it is that case of almost why have them? I see the brutality of the world and how it is a case of the downfall rather than a rise of the world, and that is great, it just leaves me wanting something extra.
I know that sounds negative, but truly I am here for these standout characters. Each and every one stands out with their quirks and identities, and how unforgiving the world is to them. It is also an absolute masterclass in combat and the harshness of it. Along with a brilliantly defined universe and physical world. And that is why I still think there is a big audience for this book, and things to learn and enjoy from reading it.
I really enjoyed my time with it, and really flew through it, but I wish it had taken a few more chances. There is this undercurrent of magic that doesn’t really get touched on beyond being a story device. It, in segments, almost feels as though it doesn’t need to be there sadly. Its uses are still more hinted at than actually explored, and in a way he has written himself into a corner on this aspect. I understand that not every story needs to be of grand wizards casting spells like they’re going out of style, but then in this it is that case of almost why have them? I see the brutality of the world and how it is a case of the downfall rather than a rise of the world, and that is great, it just leaves me wanting something extra.
I know that sounds negative, but truly I am here for these standout characters. Each and every one stands out with their quirks and identities, and how unforgiving the world is to them. It is also an absolute masterclass in combat and the harshness of it. Along with a brilliantly defined universe and physical world. And that is why I still think there is a big audience for this book, and things to learn and enjoy from reading it.
first reread, april 2022:
reread this in order to read the final book in the trilogy (and realised every single thing i knew just slipped out of my brain) and i v much appreciated it more the second time
first read, december 2021:
4 stars
reread this in order to read the final book in the trilogy (and realised every single thing i knew just slipped out of my brain) and i v much appreciated it more the second time
first read, december 2021:
4 stars
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-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
Still just okay for me. The plot feels pretty barebones for a fantasy series, but the character development is nice.
AUDIOBOOK. A great continuation of the series where characters are placed in new settings to change them and force them to problem solve. Not much more to say. Very similar to the first in quality with Steven Pacey killing it. Sex scenes and all he didn't hold back punches.