Carlot dan Eider, Magister of the Spicers aka "The Queen of Merchants", a beautiful, intelligent and skilled diplomat. 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. A reference to the phrase "Revenge is a dish best served cold," which originated with the French diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. [14]

In conclusion, Before they are Hanged is an excellent book. It's mostly set up for the conclusion in the next volume but resolves several outstanding plots. I suggest everyone who has an interest in dark, gritty, and morally ambiguous fantasy fiction would find the First Law Trilogy a good read. It's a story not afraid to have the heroes set out to do something epic, sacrifice everything to get it accomplished, and still fail due to circumstances beyond their control.Well … not exactly. Superior Davoust was never that interested in confessions from the browns, we just, you know …’ Let me see that!’ Korsten dan Vurms snatched the paper out of her hands and started to read it. ‘It can’t be,’ he muttered. ‘It can’t be!’ Harker frowned. ‘Well … some progress. I have no doubt the natives are responsible. They never stop plotting. Despite the measures Davoust took after the rebellion, many of them still refuse to learn their place.’

Very well, Practical Vitari, if you really can’t resist me. You’ll have to go on top, though, if you don’t mind.” Glokta The Gurkish Empire is a sprawling empire to the south of the Union, similar to the large Middle-Eastern empires of antiquity. Severard nodded, lanky hair swaying around his thin face. ‘Oh, I live to serve.’ I’m not sure what you live for, but I doubt it’s that. He sauntered off, whistling tunelessly, clattered across the plank, down the wharf and off between the dusty brown buildings beyond. Last Argument of Kings: The First Law, Book Three". Publishers Weekly. 7 July 2008 . Retrieved 8 August 2012.

All in all, after having read it like four times by now, Before they are Hanged is a spectacular book. Unfortunately, it's aura is slightly dimmed by the fact that most of First Law matches it almost blow for blow. In this second book, Jezal goes from being a scared, naive young warrior who thinks winning a sword content in his hometown is enough to grow an understanding of what it really means to try and survive in the wild with the likes of Ninefingers and Collem West. I was so upset with West at the end of The Blade Itself but seeing him in his new position and having to deal with the Prince and a few other circumstances I really began to like him again. He has practically redeemed himself to me and I honestly felt extremely bad for him at one point. But I like West and the Named men together and it seems they have a lot to teach each other. Nicomo Cosca, a notoriously treacherous, but charismatic and generally good-tempered mercenary who turns up repeatedly under different employers.

That said I still can’t wait to see how everything plays out and I am crossing my fingers and hoping that at least of few of my favorite characters, if not all, will make it out alive.Five stars it is. All round! Story, Performance, Overall! I've just re-read my review of the first book in the series, and realise how lukewarm it sounds. Clearly book one was just the warm up. Book 2 (and 3!) were outstanding. Steven Pacey brought it all to life with what must surely be an award-winning performance. Joe Abercrombie's writing is gritty, colourful, and positively alive. This is one of my favourite series.