BEFORE THEY ARE HANGED BOOK REVIEW & CHAT
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- A non spoiler book review and a spoilery chat for Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie, book two in the First Law trilogy.
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Most underrated and under appreciated characters of this novel are The Dogman, Black Dow, Tul and Rudd ThreeTrees and Steven Pacey’s performance of these characters might be the greatest acting ever done
funny, emotionally moving, the baddest of asses
Rbeavs I haven’t read the third but the sneaky character arc from what I’m seeing is Black dow. They introduce him as this rebel arguing for the leadership role and he’s silently becoming open to taking orders and even teaming up with the Union. Him respecting West for pushing Ladisla off the cliff for trying to rape cathil after he was debating it was gold imo
The conversation regarding the etiquette of eating with your mouth full is one of the greatest bit of characterisation in any book I've read. It may be in Last Argument but it's these characters. Made me turn into a Dowist and love Tul.
Grim is also great. His speech at the end got me good.
THANKS!
I really enjoyed Glokta's defense of Dagoska. Had a very Tyrion Lannister vibe to it.
Having him managing to turn everything around, seeing a small light... then it all crashing down. His fear of returning afterwards. It was amazing.
Bryan Baker I agree! Definitely reminded me of Tyrion taking charge. My only gripe was I wish Glotka had a moment that really made you go “Wow, this is by far the smartest and most cunning character I’ve read in some time.” For example, Tyrion telling three people the same story but with one minuscule difference to isolate the mole was genius, I wish glokta had of those of his own. Other than that his character has been a joy to read
nicholas gerdak It’s not on the same level as Tyrion but I really liked it when he just went and captured the messenger and tortured him to get information, while letting everyone else think that he was considering the offer and stalling the traitor. It was really straight forward and a really simple thing to do that I just didn’t think of. There’s no such thing as honor in war and Glokta will do anything to give himself an advantage lol. He relied on Valint and Balk’s money to bribe Cosca, the same way Tyrion relied on Varys for help, both exposing themselves to potential future enemies.
Invaderzod there’s a quote by Bayaz in the third book that isn’t a spoiler so I’ll repeat it, “This is war, the only crime is losing.” I see what your saying about Glokta, I just wish he had a bit more cunning to his character. He basically maneuvers by being a realist, although it’s a joy to read, I just feel like he could have been a bit more. Body found floating by the docks!...
It REALLY did. Glotka in Dagoska was my favorite part. I got a bit bored of the "Byaz Adventures" until Jezal's development.
I gotta say, I love the Dad version of Logen we see in this book. Just looking out for his little group of idiots.
Especially him bonding with Jezal! I just wish they got to fight side by side. I haven’t read the final book so I don’t know if they eventually do or not, but I was really hoping there was a scene where one saved the other (Preferably Jezal saving Logan to really bring his arc full circle)
And finally you have arrived at the masterpiece that is 'Last Argument of Kings'. One of my favourites!
Logen is my main man, I love that character so much.
These books are awesome and yes, very character driven.
They are so different and yet share such similarities they could just be facets of a single gem.
Finally ,I have a supporter
I got you Rob paul
I love Glokta too. I never want to actually meet someone like him, but getting to follow him (in all his toothless, limping glory) as character is fascinating.
Marhesi right?? The author did such a good job in writing him because he was one of the best characters
Just finished this book and loved it even more than the first book. Everyone seems to love Glokta, but I gravitate towards 9 fingers.
You have to be realistic about these things!
Say one thing about logen nine fingers, say that he's my favorite
Yey. You finally read the second book. This is one of my favorite series. Logen Ninefingers is definitely my favorite character here. I enjoyed your reactions to the book, can't wait for the third one. What I love about this series is despite how grimdark it is, it still manages to make me laugh.
As far as character development in these books goes, I love it. One of my favourite aspects of it though is that these characters go through some REAL growth, but the moment - the MOMENT - they go back to their old lives they almost immediately revert. They just slip right back into that comfort zone of who they used to be... But those seeds of change are still present, tugging at their thoughts. They are changed, but only until they aren't. I love it.
Yay! It always makes my day to see someone moving along in First Law.
I was just like you when West tosses the Prince. The entire way up to that, when he approaches, I was literally saying out loud “Do it, DO IT” and not expecting him to do it for some crappy honor reason or something, and bam. Oh so satisfying.
Glokta and Eider was great. Btw, there is a fantastic (and spoiler free) short story in “Sharp Ends” titled “Hell” that gives a glimpse into Dagoska right after it falls. Highly recommend.
And yes, I don’t know why people get heated, but yes Abercrombie and FL is a character driven story. And it’s great for this because the character work is second to none. The plot is there, and you’ll realize this in retrospect later, but the characters are the engine of this story.
The characters honestly, as well as the battle scenes (you said one was especially good in this book, they get exponentially better each book and I find it fascinating watching just these scenes and JA grow as a writer and play with his structure) all get better as the entire series goes along (standalones included. Best Served Cold is still my fav).
I was into FL on the characters alone, then It went up a notch when the prince was tossed, there is an incident that grabbed me in the same way (saw it coming just one page prior and was verbally pulling for it as I read) in LAOK, and then by the end of LAOK it became my favorite book series (and I hadn’t even gotten to my fav book in the series yet lol).
Great to see you enjoying it. I look forward to more reviews.
“Maybe you can bury them in puke” 😆
Yaaaay finally. So glad you picked this up again. Btw your description of glokta is spot on.
GLOKTA: The world sucks
You: Doesnt it?
Made me giggle. Great delivery!
I don’t think I could pick a favorite, I love all the characters so much. I think it’s my favorite series. I hope you continue on to the second trilogy!
I love your approach to book analyses, as always. And I love how the author seems to describe the environment from the eyes of a character who is unfamiliar with it, rather than those of one who sees it in their daily lives. It does make so much sense, and I think it's this attention to detail that may urge me to pick up these novels soon.
Joe Abercrombie's character development is freaking fantastic. I loved these three that you're working on, but I think his best (of what I've read so far) happens in Best Served Cold (a perfect de-evolution in that one).
omg Elle, you are so right about the Narrator. Steven Pacey is incredible. Additionally, he brings out the Dark humor much more then when i read the series the 1st time... I love Steven Pacy and hope he does other Fantasy authors in the future
Yes! These books are so good. I think my favorite character is Jezal. He was so full if himself but in reality he is quite incompetent that it is funny to read.
I liked Logen the best in book two and Jezal in book three. The incompetence is QUITE snicker inducing
Love the narrator's Glokta.
Steven Pacey is definitely the best narrator I've come across. I dont think Glokta having a lisp was ever mentioned in the actual text, so it's so awesome that he adds little things like that to add character.
@@irockmajorly Not only that, but Glokta's internal dialogue doesn't have the lisp. Master-level attention to detail.
"body found floating by the docks"...:)
Just finished it tonight. Now I can watch your full review. Loved it.
Cool review Elliot and those Vinland Saga books look good on the shelf
Currently reading last argument of kings. Finished before they are hanged on Sunday night!
I completely agree with you about Jezal, his growth in this book was really great to see and it makes me excited to see where his character goes in book 3. Also, the scene where Logan and Ferro take out that group of soldiers sent after them was so amazing, the way it was written and how the perspectives would switch after each kill, it was the first moment in the series where I thought to myself how amazing a writer Joe Abercrombie is.
When Logen and company were entering Adua, I had no idea that's where they were! It wasn't until they ran into Jezal that I realize it. I felt stupid at the time, but now I feel that was Abercrombie's intent! I am half way through Before They Are Hanged right now. I love it! I can't decide which character I love the most!
Can't wait to hear your review of the Last Arguement of Kings.
I loved the Blade Itself and I liked this book even more. It's awesome how after the first book he just turns the action up to 10 but doesn't miss a beat when it comes to the characters
OMFG FINALLY.
But for real, I'm happy you liked it!
"Visiting friends" is the correct way to sum up this series for me. When I was recommending it to a friend, I said it was a series about a group of my best friends. I'm sill not sure how Abercrombie did it.
After book one Glokta was my hands down favorite, but after this one Logen is creeping up. Jezal's and West's arcs are some of my favorites I've ever read. I'm waiting on The Last Argument of Kings from Libby. I'm so excited for the conclusion!
I just discovered your channel.
I haven't really read any books since I was a tween
Recently I started listening to audio books after my brother recommended.
A forum post online recommended the first law series, I'm 2/3 currently. And wanted to know what other people thought.
I'm so happy to hear you had been listening to the book because he is so fantastic, even though I haven't physically read it, I almost feel like it's a disservice to NOT listen to it.
Steven Pacey has completely made these books for me. His numerous accents and voices. And the nuance to his reading..
I think his audio is the definitive way to go through the first law
Can‘t wait to hear your thoughts about the last one. And what effect the ending of the whole arc has on you.
I really like these books and only the last month have I heard about grim-dark fantasy I just liked them as fantasy books.
Ok totally not a morning person lol 😄, Elliot i think this book is right up my alley. I like the dark character backstory concept you mentioned. I'm all for the action fight fight stuff lol. I'll probably try the first book to see if it might be good for me. Also what is a morally grey character? I know you mentioned a ton of times in different book reviews; but i never had a proper definition of that term & do you think it's good for a adult fantasy book? Anyways thanks for the education as always. Have a bless one!♥️
I struggled through the first book and wasn't sure I could keep going. I loved Logen but didn't really feel attached to any of the others which is not good for such a character driven story. Soooo glad I kept reading though because the second and third books are amazing!
Maybe I should try the second book then because I had a hard time caring about book 1.
Before they are hanged is my favorite in the original trilogy The Heroes is my favorite in the stand alone’s
So glad you liked it.
This was my favourite book in the trilogy. I love it and this is now one of my favourite series. I hope you like "Last Argument of Kings" too.
I agree that these books focus a lot on the characters. I like it so much because I don't care about plot. As long as authors give me complex characters I'm happy. Besides, I'm the only person I know that liked Jezal from the start and he is my current favourite xD His arc was just so well done. One of the best things I ever read and very realistic.
Was I the one that commented about liking Jezal because he is so stupid? I definetely said that before in many sites so... that's exactly why I always liked him ahahah
I am reading the First Law Trilogy at about the same pace as you. (I started this series partly due to your recommendation.) Almost finished book 2, going to start 3 at the end of this week. I love love love this series. The "problems" that you pointed out about being character driven and not much description are all pros in my opinion. This is my favorite fantasy series and I haven't even read the 3rd one.
One thing confuses me though. Everyone keep describing this series as being "grimdark", but so far I haven't read anything that is especially grim or dark. Just some violence and deep character development. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, like some horrific event or totally grim death, but nothing like that. Am I just de-sensitized or have I not reached the "grimdark" part of the story?
i really need a recap, I took too long between book 2 and 3, and now i have forgotten everythiiing D:
Sand dan Glokta is my focus character; the reason I am reading the series. :)
Awesome review! I think you will have A LOT of...uh...opinions about the next book; wouldn't be surprised if that review is 30 mins long lol
I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book, but I still loved it. Started book 3 and it’s my favourite so far out of the trilogy. I really can’t put this one down
I have to agree about the characters. First Law has some of the best character development in fantasy imo.
I laughed at your description of Glotka being on a tree stump thinking about how the world sucks 😂
Glokta audio was the best and was my fav character
Elliot buddy read for First Law in 2020? Loving the SA buddy read :)
Jezal wasn’t unscathed. He got the crap scathed out of him.
Meanwhile, Glokta is 98% evil, but we love him anyway and when the other 2% shows up we think “see, deep down he’s a good guy”, but Glokta is thinking to himself “why didn’t I rip the wings off of that fly?” It’s masterful how Abercrombie makes us love such dark characters.
Yes!! Watching Jezahl suffer and being stupid is SO entertaining and I love him as a jackass but watching him grow also makes me love him! It was hilarious when he started being nice to the gang and Ferro was like “what the fuck I hate you for thanking me”. I agree with all your feelings about the book too! I also am looking forward to read The Last Argument of Kings this weekend!
Omg watch the interview…I forget whose channel it’s on…with Joe and the narrator. Lolll they have him say “body found floating by the docks” in Gloktas voice bahaha
"I don't know whether I care for the battle sequences". Yeah just go ahead and entirely skip "The heroes", I would say though, as much I loved the Trilogy, best served cold really hit the spot!!
I would not recommend to skip The Heroes. Yeah, it's basically a massive battle scene, but there are great POVs from so many characters, from leaders to the newest raw recruits. It starts off a little slow, but finishes really strong. It's such a great commentary on the futility of war.
A strange relationship that I love in this book is logen and jezel. Logen just went total big brother mode.
Hi.I am new to your channel.Just wanted to know how you manage to read so many books.
I LOVE these books....but I hate these books. Looking forward to what you think after book 3!
i love book reviews.. audio books really getting ubiquitous nowadays
I genuinely have no idea why but whenever I read a line of dialogue from Glokta, my mind imagines someone with something of a welsh accent speaking it.
I read only The First Law trilogy (planning to continuing in the world really soon) and I wished i had listened to it on Audiobook because so many people talk about Steven Pacey's performance, but unfortunately where I live the only books available are Red Country (the third standalone) and the new one, A Little Hatred. But, when I get to those, I will for sure switch to the audiobook
I'm glad you liked it as much as I did. Abercrombie is amazing
Yeah the books are definitely character driven. The only difference (and maybe what those people were talking about) is that with the second book you start getting a plot, whereas the first book was mostly just he every day life of these characters. So definitely not plot driven, we just start getting plot for the characters.
I really hope the people in these books are not your friends. I was brought in by these characters. Everyone had their own focus and it was cool to see where the story went in this trilogy.
The way the Cathil and west turned out had me as upset as west himself. Ik Cathil doesn’t owe anyone her love and it’s her choice but damn the Dogman that quick. Sure west has anger issues but evrthing he has done so far has been for the greater good. He’s working so hard to manage all these problems and taking so much responsibility his anger was almost justified to me. You relle can’t overlook his one character flaw and give him a break damn lol
Dude I was so bummed when Logan and Pharaoh split.
Glotka is the best villain? ever:)
Great video but GRRM is the king of Grimdark. You can see how much influence GRRM has in Abercrombie.
Wait. People think the First Law isn't character driven? Wait. What?
Joe Abercrombie writes character driven dark fantasy novels, folks. Like...I've read them all. They're character driven stories.
💚💚🌹
HYYYYYPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At least Elliot knows I am not evil. Thank you.
About that character destroying EVERYBODY: keep that in mind, because when he's in that "rage mode" he literally destroys everybody! A big softy, huh? :p
Now, about Jezal... In Last Argument he'll be even more hilarious. Don't forget what I told you when I was reading it! :)))
Now, can you tell me why Ardee West, who isn't a stupid girl (even though she drinks too much), has that awkward relationship with Jezal? (I know the answer :p , I just want to see if you've noticed something that will prove to be relevant in the end.)
I love that they go on this epic quest to find the Seed...and its a rock. I have thought about doing that in a D&D campaign many, many times.
Nine fingers
This book is so overrated. Why is it so loved in the fantasy community. It's such shit. Glotka, please save the city! Nevermind, It was just a test. Bayaz, save the group the 100th time. Complete crap.
Dude. She literally just spent 14:59 explaining why everyone loves it. Now, I think you didn’t watch the video as well as not reading the book.