Book 2 in the First Law trilogy. "Before They Are Hanged" is reminiscent of "Game of Thrones" and LOTR and Abercrombie is clearly influenced by Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. But it is a really fun fantasy novel in its own right. Like GOT, there is plenty of explicit violence and language so this is not a book for kids.
This is the second book in the First Law Trilogy, a swords and sorcery adventure. It picks up right where the The Blade Itself, the first book, left off with no summary whatsoever of what happened in the first book. All of the main characters from the first book reappear in this book, but now they are all flung to various corners of the globe on separate new adventures. There is more sorcery in this book (although still not much) and more monsters (although still not many). There is lots of gore, although less torture. I love the humor here, definitely my kind of humor in my darker moments. If you're in the mood for a raucous adventure, this is a great book for you. If you're in the mood for resolution of that adventure, this is not at all the book for you. Nothing whatsoever is resolved here. I can only assume everything will be resolved in the third and final book, The Last Argument of Kings. I'd definitely recommend this, but you should probably read the first book first.
