Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie, a short review
3 stars out of 5. I really liked the Blade Itself, but this middle book of the trilogy, while entertaining, feels somewhat lacking. Partly this is because I liked only one of the three main plot lines and just would’ve liked to have more Glokta. Before They Are Hanged still is very good character-driven fantasy and enjoyable for anyone who liked the first part.
There are three main story arcs: the mysterious quest lead by the magi Bayaz, Glokta’s mission in Dagoska and Union’s war with Northmen. Glokta’s arc is easily the monst intersting, in my opinion, and Bayaz arc the weakest, as there are some easily guessed elements(which despite of this are very enjoyable). Union’s war with the Northmen is quite meh as it is predictable and the characters aren’t the most interesting ones. Luckily there are couple of nice twists in each of the plot lines.
Some people won’t like that there isn’t very much closure in this middling book, but it doesn’t really bother me. Actually, I don’t even expect that everything would be solved in the final book, as nothing never really ends in real life, why should there always be closure in books? Still, much of the value of Before They Are Hanged will be determined with the last part of the trilogy.
Anyways, what I really like in the are the characters, who feel real human beings, though some seem to be evolving at quite quick rate. Glokta is especially fascinating character, he has the same coolness factor as say Waylander or Druss. Coolness isn’t perhaps the best word, but close enough.
Tags Before They Are Hanged, Blade Itself, epic fantasy, fantasy, First Law, Joe Abercrombie, reviewRelated Posts:
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