Before They Are Hanged (The First Law #2) by Joe Abercrombie -- Starting November 11th 2024

[Jenn]

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.

[Karen]

Will aim to start this tomorrow, as soon as I complete one of my ARCs. Definitely looking forward to seeing what happens with Bayaz's quest.

[Dannii]

Sorry I got hit with Covid and didn't end up finishing off book one as my brain was too foggy to concentrate the last two days but will have that done by tomorrow and start this the day after.

[Karen]

No problems, as I’m only just starting it now (got caught up in another book). 5% in and I’m intrigued how the groups are forming a rather unexpected alliance.

[Dannii]

I've said this so many times no but definitely finishing up book 1 today as I've got about 100 pages left and a full day off work :) I'll start this in the next day or so.

[Karen]

First quarter. Had to have a concerted effort to read this-have let it slip a little. The depiction of life for the travelling fighters is vivid, and truly unpleasant. Glokta seems to be living on his wits.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "First quarter. Had to have a concerted effort to read this-have let it slip a little. The depiction of life for the travelling fighters is vivid, and truly unpleasant. Glokta seems to be living on ..."

Same here, Karen! I've had such little free time over the past fortnight so have just been consuming fast-paced thrillers whenever I do have some free time but am back into this series now.

[Dannii]

End of Chapter 'Wounds of the Past' - (view spoiler)[I love how the Northmen have now reached the city and met West. When Book 1 began I couldn't imagine them all converging and at the end of the book 1 all bar this group had. I can't wait to see them reunite with Logan and discovering he hadn't died in battle. I imagine the author will keep us waiting for this though.

Glokta remains as awful as ever and yet I still love him best of all. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of Chapter 'Small Crimes' - (view spoiler)[Glokta admits that he used to be a shit of a man and now he is a husk of one. His conversations are starting to reveal how he could torture and act the way he could, even after suffering in the same way. It's because he suffered in place of his friends and to serve his kingdom and when he returned it wasn't as a war hero but as something forgotten and now overlooked. No one sees the good in him, or even the human in him, so why should he be any different?

I'm enjoying the travels of Logan etc. and seeing their mismatched group all bond and begin to understand one another. There are some really humorous parts there but also much sadness as all have suffered a lot in their pasts. They don't quite yet all trust each other but they are getting there.

I felt so sad to see whole families imprisoned as they were deemed an enemy of the state. How are children enemies? How are they ever to see the goodness in those who rule if they've only ever been subjected to being treated like less than humans? (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of Chapter 'Fear' - (view spoiler)[I love Longfoot's description of how the swords each of the group carried resembled their owners. He wasn't wrong!

The pacing feels really slow and yet I'm fully absorbed in everything that is going on. Abercrombie has such a skill for characters. I'm enjoying travelling and learning along with them, even when action is at a minimum. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of Chapter ''Long Odds' - (view spoiler)[The travellers have been captured and although I can't see how they will defeat their foes overall I didn't feel any tension about their capture. Not with ferocious Ferro, the seasoned killer Logan and the magi Byaz in their group, even if the latter was unconscious and bound.

West does seem an altered individual, as if it took him injuring his sister for him to see how close he was to becoming his abusive father. I have hope for him becoming a good man. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of Part One - (view spoiler)[The Prince and the pampered nobles are proving just how inept they are at ruling when enemies are marching towards them. West has proved himself here and I stand by what I said in my last update that he is a changed individual, following his altercation with Ardee. It doesn't seem like without someone to guide them, like West, they stand any chance against the Northmen.

Glokta's confession that he only did what he did because he did not know what else to do broke me a little. He already feels useless and without his position he feels he truly will be forgotten and overlooked, at least now he keeps some of his former renown through fear. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of Chapter 'The Rest is Wasted Breath' - (view spoiler)[I really like how some central characters group together and chapters later they diverge and meet with others. I'm still waiting for Logan to reunite with his Northmen though!!!

War is truly upon them and Abercrombie wrote about the fear and suffering excellently! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of chapter 'Jewel of Cities' - (view spoiler)[Poor Jezal! He asked with his life but his looks were sacrifice. Just like West reached a point where he could alter the person he was, I believe this is his moment. He can shake away his spoiled and vain nature once and for all now. I believe Ardee to like him for more than his face so hopefully their romance will continue when/if they meet again.

Poor Logan. I'm so glad he opened up to his new friends and shared about his struggles with the anger inside of him. He lashes out when provoked but really wants to be a better person now. That is a running theme throughout this series.

Ferro stuck up for him even after he revealed if the whim took him he would kill all of the travellers in one go and wouldn't be able to stop himself.

Her story was such a sad one. She injured herself just to make her worth less to her owners. She is so strong and brave! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Second quarter. It seems that Glokta’s task is a thankless one. Can’t see him getting out of this, no matter how much money the mysterious bank loaned him.

[Karen]

Third quarter. Very unlikely groups have formed a remarkably strong bond. The quest seems to be nearing its end though they’re not in good shape.

[Karen]

Dannii wrote: "End of Chapter 'Small Crimes' - Glokta admits that he used to be a shit of a man and now he is a husk of one. His conversations are starting to reveal how he could torture and act the way he could,..."

Glokta is a fascinating character. Awful though he is in many ways, a great job has been made of making him likeable.

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Feels as if the story will take off in the final instalment but there’s plenty here to get excited about.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Third quarter. Very unlikely groups have formed a remarkably strong bond. The quest seems to be nearing its end though they’re not in good shape."

I loved witnessing them bonding together!

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Feels as if the story will take off in the final instalment but there’s plenty here to get excited about."

It feels like it is going to be a very sad and action-packed finale. I wonder if all will make it out alive?

[Dannii]

Finished! That was an incredible read. I really enjoyed the journey the group went on and the discoveries they made along the way. I can't wait to see what will happen to them all in the finale.

Do you want to set a date for the next book? I'm happy to carry on with the series whenever :)

[Dannii]

I'm going to start the next one on the weekend if either of you are still up for reading it? :)