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  • Before They Are Hanged

  • The First Law: Book Two
  • Written by: Joe Abercrombie
  • Narrated by: Steven Pacey
  • Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,009 ratings)

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Before They Are Hanged

Written by: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Publisher's Summary

Bitter and merciless war is coming to the frozen north. It's bloody and dangerous, and the Union army, split by politics and hamstrung by incompetence, is unprepared for the slaughter that's coming. Lacking experience, training, and in some cases even weapons, the army is scarcely equipped to repel Bethod's scouts, let alone his elite forces.

In the heat-ravaged south, the Gurkish are massing to assault the city of Dagoska, defended by Inquisitor Glokta. The city is braced for the inevitable defeat and massacre to come... but a plot is festering to hand the city to its besiegers without a fight, and the previous Inquisitor of Dagoska vanished without trace. Threatened from within and without the city, Glokta needs answers, and he needs them soon.

And to the east, a small band of malefactors travel to the edge of the world to reclaim a device from history - a Seed, hidden for generations - with tremendous destructive potential. A device which could put a end to war, to the army of Eaters in the South, to the invasion of Shanka from the North - but only if it can be found, and only if its power can be controlled.

©2007 Joe Abercrombie (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited

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What listeners say about Before They Are Hanged

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Second verse even better than the first!

I couldn't turn this book off! I listened to it while driving, cooking, in the shower....
Great story, can't wait for the next one, and Steven Pacey is a smooth and lively reader.

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Wonderfully written

This is a well told sword and board fantasy. The reader has an entertaining style and flair.

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keeps you guessing

I really enjoy this series. it gives a GOT vibe in the sense that not all good guys are completely good and not all bad guys are completely bad. the characters are well developed and the story while having the odd slow point is great. lots of political back stabbing etc. this is a dark series. I would definitely recommend

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Truly Joe is the dark fantasy writer we deserve!

How is it possible to write about terrible people who you as the reader end up routing for? Well that is how well Joe Abercrombie does character building. Some of the best characters I have seen in any book setting. The conversations, thoughts and attitudes of the main characters are phenomenally well written and character progression is well thought out and implemented.

Steven Pacey is a prenominal narrator and became one of my favorites instantly when starting this series. My only regret is that he does not do more notable fantasy series.

All and all this and other books in the First Law series are amazing to listen to and will grip you long after you have stopped listening to the last chapter.

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This narrator is amazing

A very character driven story with splashes of intense action, and the voice actor brings everything to life in a way that I've never seen before

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Really good!

Great story telling, great performance. Glad I found this trilogy. I look forward to the next.

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Dark and gritty but enthralling

The performance is out of this world.... absolutely phenomenal. I love all of the characters every single one of them is incredibly well developed and I am Eager to get to book 3.

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great series so far

a friend reccomended this book to me and jm so glad I listened to the series.

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Amazing performance

Amazing story brought to life by a top notch performance. All 3 books are worth a read. I bought extra credits because I didn’t want to wait for my monthly credit to come.

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Amazing story with the best narrator

Steven Pacey is the best narrator I have come across. The book is excellent like the first

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