Before They Are Hanged

Joe Abercrombie

The second installment in The First Law trilogy, a dark and gritty fantasy series known for its subversion of traditional genre tropes. The novel picks up where The Blade Itself left off, delving deeper into the lives of its complex and morally ambiguous characters. Abercrombie masterfully weaves together three main storylines: the treacherous journey of the wizard Bayaz and his companions in search of an ancient artifact, the brutal siege of the Union city of Dagoska, and the desperate military campaign led by Colonel West in the war-torn North. Through sharp, witty prose and vivid worldbuilding, Abercrombie’s explores themes of power, loyalty, and the blurred lines between heroism and villainy.

The strength of the book lies in its character development. Abercrombie’s protagonists are deeply flawed yet compelling, each struggling with personal demons and moral dilemmas. Logen Ninefingers, the battle-hardened barbarian, grapples with his violent past and questions his place in a changing world. Meanwhile, Jezal dan Luthar undergoes significant growth as he confronts the harsh realities of survival, far removed from his privileged life in the Union. In Dagoska, the cynical inquisitor Sand dan Glokta faces political intrigue and treachery as he attempts to uncover the city’s secrets while staving off an overwhelming enemy. These interconnected arcs create a narrative rich in tension and unpredictability, keeping readers on edge as the characters’ paths intertwine.

Abercrombie’s grimdark approach sets Before They Are Hanged apart from traditional fantasy. The story avoids clean resolutions and embraces moral ambiguity, reflecting the harshness of its world. Battles are brutal and chaotic, with victory often feeling hollow or Pyrrhic. The author’s biting humor and unflinching depiction of war, corruption, and human frailty lend the novel a gritty realism that resonates with readers. Ultimately, the book serves as a bridge in the trilogy, deepening the stakes and propelling the characters toward an uncertain future. It’s a gripping, thought-provoking entry in a series that challenges and redefines the conventions of epic fantasy.

author

Joe Abercrombie is a highly acclaimed British author known for his groundbreaking contributions to the fantasy genre, particularly through his First Law series. Born on December 31, 1974, in Lancaster, England, Abercrombie studied psychology at Manchester University before embarking on a career in television post-production. While working as a freelance editor, he began writing his debut novel, The Blade Itself, which was published in 2006. The book marked the beginning of his First Law trilogy and quickly established him as a leading voice in the grimdark subgenre of fantasy, characterized by morally ambiguous characters, gritty realism, and subversive storytelling.

Abercrombie’s works are celebrated for their complex characters, sharp dialogue, and dark humor. His First Law trilogy—The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings—presents a world rife with political intrigue, brutal conflict, and philosophical questions about power and morality. Beyond the trilogy, Abercrombie has expanded the universe with standalone novels like Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country, which delve deeper into the lives of secondary characters and explore themes of revenge, war, and redemption. In 2019, he launched a new trilogy, The Age of Madness, set decades after the original series, showcasing his ability to evolve his storytelling while maintaining the dark and satirical tone that fans love.

Abercrombie’s success has earned him critical and commercial acclaim, as well as a dedicated global readership. Often referred to as “Lord Grimdark,” he has been praised for his ability to blend visceral action with deep emotional resonance, creating stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. In addition to his novels, Abercrombie has also dabbled in screenwriting and contributed to anthologies, further cementing his reputation as a versatile and innovative writer. With his signature wit and relentless focus on character-driven narratives, Abercrombie has left an indelible mark on modern fantasy, influencing a new generation of authors and reshaping the genre.

art

Vance Kovacs is producing 9 colour illustrations (1x Dustjacket exclusive to the Standard Edition, 1x Endpaper and 7 portrait pieces within the book).

The pedigree of Vance is absolutely undeniable and his work spans numerous games and movies, and has worked previously with Jaime Jones (Hyperion artist) and Justin Sweet (Legend artist). Most notably Vance worked on God of War Ragnarok, which he did a phenomenal job with that IP. Vance’s style fits in well with Tommy’s, and he has a real eye for emotion, grit and has almost impressionistic brush strokes covering his work.

Following on from Tommy Arnold’s incredible The Blade Itself dustjacket, Vance has created another masterpiece for the Standard Edition. We’ve gone with the prominent characters in Book 2 being the much-reviled Inquisitor (now Superior) Glokta and his three practicals, Vitari, Frost and Severard.

We wanted another statement piece and we feel we 100% have achieved that. Vance has been a pleasure to work with and has been more than comfortable with mine and Joe’s involvement in the art direction.

standard

edition #1

Limited to 500 copies only, the standard edition is 480 pages, printed letterpress two colours (black and blue) on Omnia Natural 120gsm by Pat Randle and Ellen Bills from Nomad Letterpress on their Heidelberg Windmill Press.

This is the only version that comes with Vance’s incredible dustjacket of Sand dan Glokta, and this three practicals. This edition is signed by the author and artist only.

It is bound in black buckram cloth with two hit foil stamping to the cover and spine, with rounded spine, tailband and coloured ribbon.

The endpaper will be a another landscape illustration by Vance Kovacs, which will depict the “other side” and the mythical Glustrod. There will be another 7 colour images within the book, 6 interior images and 1 frontispiece.

The book is protected by a black buckram slipcase with unique design foil stamped onto the cover side.

This edition comes with rights to “Last Argument of Kings” (as well as any future Abercrombie works we do) but does not come with rights to rights to our other titles.

Pre-Order Price: £215

Published Price: £230

deluxe

edition

Limited to 150 copies only. The numbered edition is 480 pages printed letterpress two colours on Omnia Natural 120gsm paper by Pat Randle and Ellen Bills at Nomad Press.

We had originally planned the second book to be a different colour, but then Joe pointed out that if we carry on with the standalones and the final trilogy, the collectors shelf may look a bit like a pack of crayons. So we’re keeping to blue leather for this edition (potentially a different shade), and will switch up the colour for the standalones and final trilogy. Sporting a new “noose” design and three-pass foil stamping on the cover, spine and back.

The tailbands and ribbon will be the same as book 1 and we’re carrying on the blood spattered topedge as it just feels right. This design has been worked up alongside books 1 and 3 to ensure they flow.

As with the Standard Edition, this book comes will an illustrated endpaper by Vance Kovacs and a further 7 tipped in plates (including a frontispiece) and fold out map.

Housed in a curved mauve cloth slipcase with the noose design foil stamped across all three sides.

This book comes with rights to Last Argument of Kings and any future Abercrombie works we take on following the release of LTAH.

This edition is signed by both the author and the artist.

Pre-Order Price: £575

Published Price: £595

lettered

edition

Limited to just 26 editions and printed two colour letterpress on Magnani Mouldmade 130gsm paper by Pat Randle and Ellen Bills at Nomad Letterpress, this edition features unique bindings, case and title setting.

Bound in finest Harmatan black goat with blue leather onlays on the front, back and spine with three colours of foil stamping. It includes 4 raised bands, rounded spine, coloured headbands and all 3 edges gilded gold.

As with the previous editions there will be 7 tipped in pieces of art (including a frontispiece) and a fold out colour map. The lettered also comes with a new unque marbled endpaper and foldout piece of art (the illustrated endpaper used in the other two editions).

It’s housed in a black and blue leather solander box with a rounded spine, and blind stamped cross hatching across the front and back covers. There are also 3 hits of foil stamping on the leather covering and inside is lined with a sumptuous dark blue suedel.

This edition is signed by both the author and the artist.

Pre-Order Price: £2400

Published Price: £2500