Reviews - Before They Are Hanged

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

5.17k reviews for:

I went in to this one with high hopes but also was very nervous because the middle book in a trilogy is where it's easiest to stumble. So glad to say I loved this one even more than book 1. It did well everything the first one did and improved upon some of the minor faults the first one had. It also kind of gave me a nostalgic feel for my first fantasy series I read as a kid. Joe Abercrombie is a master of this genre and I can't wait to read everything he's written.

More detailed review on my channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G99fmVJ0PvQ&t=48s

inkfinger's review against another edition

4.0

This is a seriously gritty fantasy trilogy that I thoroughly enjoyed, also as a series of audiobooks. Imagine the epic scope of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings combined with the no-holds-barred mayhem of Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's character-driven, action-oriented, bloody, and straightforward. Pure fun--perhaps not for the squeamish.

brjohnson's review against another edition

4.5

I'm sucked into the story. It gets a little dark and violent for me sometimes. But I still have to read book 3.

juststeffi's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

lukeprog's review against another edition

5.0

Every chapter goes down like a chocolate milkshake. This book retains the strengths of the previous ones — great prose, great characters, etc. — and adds more plot and action that the previous book was somewhat lacking. It doesn't have the rich worldbuilding or impeccable structure of e.g. The Way of Kings, but that's made up for by it's excellent prose and characters. Plus, I like the low predictability and (relative) realism of grimdark.

yulwei2022's review against another edition

5.0

This is a fast paced and action packed adventure really. Where to start:

1. Joe did a wonderful job making us empathize with the characters that he increased the worldbuilding and action a lot. Now, we won't have to be hindered, trying to get to know the characters.

2. This book is so character driven I luv it

3. Love the fact that Jezal became more human and developed a great friendship with Logen.

4. West . . . I love his arc in this book, from a common Union soldier to a hardened Named Man of the North.

5. Threetrees . . . I am still trying not to cry and failing miserably. Dogman is the new chief now. Wonder what he'd do.

6. Shivers and his Carls came in pretty handy. Love to see more of him.

7. Joe Abercrombie knows how to subvert expectations. By showing us the Defense of Dagoska against the Ghurkish, he invoked the "Helm's Deep" moment of help arriving at anytime and deliberately subverting it by forcing Glokta to return to Adua and thereby Dagoska falling.

8. Romance between Logen and Ferro; Dogman and Cathil are heartwarming parts of the book.

9. The next book is set up greatly. Will Logen return North and meet his old crew and go against Bethod? Who killed Raynault? Who will be the new King of the Union? What is the Arch Lector planning? What will Bayaz do that the quest was in vain? What will Jezal and West do? Will Ferro return to Ghurkul for vengeance again? What is the total story of the Sons of Euz and the Magi?

10. Another expectation subversion. The whole question for the Seed gave feel of Fellowship of the Ring feel. It is done deliberately I think, so that he could create hype and nostalgia only to be destroyed in a small cave at the Edge of the World.

All in all, it is fantastic.