Before They Are Hanged

After the slow-to-sluggish build of most of the first volume, this second book in The First Law trilogy is rolling right from the start and maintains the momentum through the whole thing.

It's a classic heroes-on-a-journey/battle-for-the-future-of-the-realm Tale but the action is great and the characters have plenty of life in them. I'm excited to read the third book.

The plot thickens. Some characters die. Some change. Some go on to greater things. Bayaz and crew go traveling and meet with danger. Glokta has even more questions. Collem West battles Bethod and his Northmen. Threetrees and crew get into some bloody melees. Eaters attack. Jezal slowly becomes less of an ass. New characters are introduced. Mysteries deepen. And who are Valint and Balk? Can't wait to get my hands on the conclusion this August. (Note: the title comes from the quotation: “We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged.” ~ Heinrich Heine)