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Before They Are Hanged Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie Play Audiobook Sample

Before They Are Hanged Audiobook

By: Joe Abercrombie
Before They Are Hanged Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Steven Pacey Publisher: Orbit Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 15.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 11.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The First Law Series Release Date: September 2015 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781478907824
4.00081497797357 out of 54.00081497797357 out of 54.00081497797357 out of 54.00081497797357 out of 54.00081497797357 out of 5 (4.00) - 20,884 listener ratings
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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

50

Longest Chapter Length:

76:08 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

04:57 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

27:11 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

14

Other Audiobooks Written by Joe Abercrombie: > View All...

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Best Served Cold Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
Red Country Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
The Heroes Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
Red Country Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
The Wisdom of Crowds Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
Half a King Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
A Little Hatred Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
The Trouble with Peace Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
Half the World Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie
Half A War Audiobook, by Joe Abercrombie

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Publisher Description

The second novel in the wildly popular First Law Trilogy from New York Times bestseller Joe Abercrombie.

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.





First Law Trilogy

The Blade Itself

Before They Are Hanged

Last Argument of Kings

For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out:

Novels in the First Law world

Best Served Cold

The Heroes

Red Country

Download and start listening now!

"Abercrombie's use of titles is second to none--his source material is well-chosen, and the titles implicity reflect the themes of their novels. I find it to be a solid middle-volume-in-a-series-type novel. It's appropriately more violent, and more explicit, and essentially a stakes-raising installment, as most Part Twos tend to be. What I most appreciate about Abercrombie's storymaking is that he doesn't feel the need--as most fantasy authors, even Martin, do--to add a multiplicity of new characters to what...make sure the story doesn't run out before they've sold the number of books they need to in order to guarantee his next advance from the publisher? Okay, that's a little cynical, but let's be honest here--I've been reading about Inquisitor Glotka, and that's bound to take its toll on your worldview, no? Solid read, a solid part two, and all the fuel I need and more to go ahead to read the next perfectly titled book."

— Ricky (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Abercrombie’s…eye for character means that there’s heart as well as muscle.”

    — SFX

  • “Nobody writes grittier heroic fantasy than Joe Abercrombie…Immediate, daring, and utterly entertaining…Abercrombie is headed for superstar status.”

    — Realms of Fantasy

  • “This grim and vivid sequel…keep[s] the reader engaged with complicated plotting and intriguing character development…Abercrombie leavens the bloody action with moments of dark humor, developing a story suffused with a rich understanding of human darkness and light.”

    — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • Bloody and relentless.

    — George R. R. Martin on Best Served Cold

  • Bold and authentically original.

    — Jeff VanderMeer on The Blade Itself

  • Abercrombie has written the finest epic fantasy trilogy in recent memory. He's one writer that no one should miss.

    — Junot Diaz

  • If you're fond of bloodless, turgid fantasy with characters as thin as newspaper and as boring as plaster saints, Joe Abercrombie is really going to ruin your day. A long career for this guy would be a gift to our genre.

    — Scott Lynch, author of The Lies of Locke Lamora on The Blade Itself

  • Compelling characters, a complex plot, and style to burn.

    — Strange Horizons on The Blade Itself

  • Pointed, driven, and sharp.

    — Locus on Red Country

  • Magnificent, richly entertaining

    — Time on The Heroes

  • Imagine The Lord of the Rings as directed by Kurosawa.

    — Lev Grossman, Wall Street Journal on The Heroes

  • [Abercrombie has] begun breaking his own rules. And succeeding wildly at it. ... Rarely has Abercrombie had so much fun while rollicking through his colorful cast's foibles and witty dialogue - and rarely has he dished out so much straight-for-the-heart poignancy.

    — The A.V. Club

  • New, fresh, and exciting.

    — The Independent (UK)

  • Exhilarating... Abercrombie's knack for wit and grit holds your attention throughout, and his eye for character means that there's heart as well as muscle.

    — SFX (UK)

  • "Lord of the Rings as directed by Kurosawa.

    — Wall Street Journal on The Heroes

Before They Are Hanged Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.47222222222222 out of 54.47222222222222 out of 54.47222222222222 out of 54.47222222222222 out of 54.47222222222222 out of 5 (4.47)
5 Stars: 20
4 Stars: 13
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Amanda Carr, 1/17/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " very entertaining sequel...will definitely buy the other audio books, the voice actors is superb with every character "

    — Dylon, 6/6/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An absolutely stunning piece of writing and then audio work, Steven Pacey is really a master of voice! "

    — Tony, 3/24/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An exceptional series. "

    — Rob, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good stuff. Not really a stand alone book, but the middle of a longer story "

    — Fred, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " really good! better than the first book. "

    — Reita, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent book. Loved it. "

    — N, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " READ THIS TRILOGY! "

    — Shannon, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The plot thickens. Some characters die. Some change. Some go on to greater things. Bayaz and crew go traveling and meet with danger. Glokta has even more questions. Collem West battles Bethod and his Northmen. Threetrees and crew get into some bloody melees. Eaters attack. Jezal slowly becomes less of an ass. New characters are introduced. Mysteries deepen. And who are Valint and Balk? Can't wait to get my hands on the conclusion this August. (Note: the title comes from the quotation: "We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged." ~ Heinrich Heine) "

    — Woodge, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Another winner from Abercrombie. "

    — Adam, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Did not suffer from the second-book-in-the-trilogy blahs. "

    — Lisadlh, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book is an improvement over the first book. The characters are more fleshed out and seem more believable. That said, the main plot still seems weak. I will read the third book. "

    — Garick, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Better than the first book, but Bayaz has lost all of his charm. "

    — Valette, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Part two in the great trilogy. "

    — Eric, 12/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The second volume features a lengthy overland journey of an adventuring party in search of an ancient artifact. Fantasy standards are both wonderfully subverted and followed here. Highly recommended. "

    — Jesse, 11/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's just as good and maybe even better than the first book (The Blade Itself) in this 3 book series. "

    — Pickleman, 10/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Was rather enjoyable with a decent twist to a major plot point at the end. Simple, easy, fantasy reading. "

    — Andy, 10/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Seeing some unlikely changes in characters in this one. Still not sure where some of them will end up but probably a few will go back to the mud. "

    — Nathan, 8/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Our heroes continue on their grim quest, buoyed by life-changing events and plot twists. Not as promising as the first book in the series, but still worth a read. "

    — Kimberly, 7/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " These books are surprisingly good. "

    — Andrew, 5/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Finished this monster - mind numbing. will write a detailed review in a while. for now, this forms one of my Great Reads for 2012. Joe Abercrombie has climbed up more notches on that "My Favorite" authors pedestal - inching closer to Steven Erikson. "

    — Sachin, 3/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " audio re-read "

    — Winespringbrother, 10/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A good follow up to The Blade Itself. I'm excited to read the 3rd and final book in the series. "

    — Eric, 9/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great escapism. Loved the characters. Loved the narrator of the audio book. "

    — Ed, 8/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Book 2 of this really good series (see review under Book 1). "

    — Rob, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Didn't enjoy it as much as the first book, but still pretty good. "

    — Aaron, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Awesome. Long live the Dogman! "

    — Alex, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book is awesome. It makes me feel happy that I don't have to live outside and wear potato sacks and fight Shanka. "

    — Annette, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing. I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing fantasy series. "

    — Annette, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I read this book after the first in the series got me hooked. More of the same great writing and characters. For my tastes, this was an amazing book and I would encourage people who are looking for more of a noir fantasy book to pick it up. "

    — Richard, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " More good stuff just like #1 "

    — Hahleq, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Even better than the first one, and I loved the first one. Haven't raced through a book this quickly in years. Looking forward to the last in the trilogy. "

    — Renee, 4/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's just as good and maybe even better than the first book (The Blade Itself) in this 3 book series. "

    — Pickleman, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " somewhat predictable - but in an 'oh so exciting' way - a perfect middle book in a series. "

    — Jess, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series I think. Maybe it was due to the familiarity with the characters or his writing style. I found I cared a heck of a lot more about the characters this time out though. "

    — Jason, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Joe Abercrombie has created some of the most dynamic characters in the fantasy genre. Each of them is unique, and each has a depth that is often lacking in this genre. "

    — Kelli, 4/13/2011

About Joe Abercrombie

Joe Abercrombie is a British fantasy writer and film editor. He is the author of The First Law trilogy, as well as other fantasy books in the same setting, and a trilogy of young adult novels. His novel Half a King won the 2015 Locus Award for best young adult book. He was born in Lancaster in 1974, spent much of his youth in imaginary worlds, and left school with a good idea of how to make stuff up. After graduating from Manchester University he worked as a television editor, but he never stopped making stuff up.

About Steven Pacey

Steven Pacey is an actor and Earphones Award-winning narrator. He is a highly decorated stage actor, performing often at the West End Theatre. He has appeared in numerous television roles, including Tarrant in Blake’s 7, and has made over three hundred radio broadcasts.