Before They Are Hanged

A bitter and merciless war is engulfing the frozen North, with the Union army caught unprepared in the path of a bloody onslaught. The army, divided by internal politics and crippled by incompetence, lacks the necessary experience, training, and even basic weaponry to fend off Bethod's minions, let alone his elite forces.

In the heat-ravaged South, the situation is equally dire. The Gurkish Empire is amassing forces to besiege the city of Dagoska, defended by the crippled yet cunning Inquisitor Glokta. The city stands on the brink of inevitable defeat and massacre. However, a nefarious plot is brewing to surrender the city to its besiegers without a fight. Glokta must uncover the traitors while wrestling with his own demons and the threat of death from enemies within and without.

Meanwhile, to the East, a disparate group of misfits embarks on a treacherous journey to the edge of the world. Their mission: to retrieve an ancient artifact, known as the Seed, hidden for generations with the potential to unleash unimaginable destruction. This item could end all wars, but only if its formidable power can be controlled.

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie is the riveting second instalment in the First Law trilogy. The narrative interweaves robust, morally complex characters with relentless action and intricate plotlines. Inquisitor Glokta's ruthless pragmatism, the Northmen's raw brutality, and the adventurers' perilous quest coalesce to create an epic tapestry of conflict, betrayal, and dark magic.

Combining grim realism with dark humour, Abercrombie’s masterful storytelling captivates from the first page to the last. As allegiances are tested and secrets unveiled, every character is pushed to the brink, forcing readers to question where the lines between heroism and villainy truly lie.