Review of ~ Joe Abercrombie – Before They Are Hanged (The First Law #2)

8.5/10

“We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged” – Heinrich Heine

Before They Are Hanged is Abercrombie’s second entry into the twisted and grim world of The First Law. It follows on from the three story arcs that The Blade itself stylishly led towards. Bayaz, the first of the Magi is venturing to the end of the Earth with his bizarre collection of distinctive personnel for reasons unbeknown to all apart from the Mage himself. Superior Glokta has traveled South to infiltrate the politics of an allied nation, hoping to find out what happened to his ill-fated predecessor and preparing defences for the attacks soon to be initiated by an advancing and ultimately imminent rival army. The remaining narrative intertwines the stories of the rough-living, legendary warrior group of Threetrees and the Dogman with the troubles in the North where the Union is tackling the Northern King’s great forces. Here we follow the action of “the worst-armed, worst-trained and worst-led army in the world”

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Review of ~ Joe Abercrombie – The Blade Itself (The First Law #1)

8/10

I was up until half five yesterday morning reading intensely to finish off this story. I didn’t write the review then as it would have been a tired, mumbled mess with little to no eloquence and it wouldn’t have included any cool sounding words. Let’s see how I get on now after a good nights sleep. Prior to reading this, I had completed Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea trilogy and enjoyed it a lot. Where that was classic story focused fantasy with twists aplenty, this is best described as a macabre, dark and twisted character study of morally questionable individuals.

Review of ~ Joe Abercrombie – Half A War (Shattered Sea #3)

8/10

“‘A warriors place is at Death’s side’ said Raith as he stood. ‘So he can introduce her to his enemies'”

Half a War is the conclusive third book in Joe Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea saga. It follows on smoothly from the events at the conclusion of Half a World and we find ourselves witness to the politics and events surrounding a very shaky alliance of nations.