Before They Are Hanged [The First Law: Book Two] (The First Law, 2)

"Dark, deeply ironic, and full of character gems that will appeal to your cynical side, Before They Are Hanged is as brilliant as its predecessor."-SFRevu As war threatens to descend on all sides, the Kingdom of the Union-once glorious, now weak and corrupt-must depend for its security upon three very different men, unlikely saviors whose abilities and characters are shaky at best...and at worst, unknown. Superior Glokta's problem? How to defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled by traitors, when your allies cannot be trusted, your predecessor vanished without a trace...and you can't even walk without a stick. Prince Ladisla's concern? How to achieve undying glory driving the barbarous Northmen out of Angland while commanding the worst-armed, worst-trained-and worst-led-army in the world. And the dilemma of Bayaz, First of the Magi? How to conduct a mission through the ruins of the past with the most hated woman in the South, the most feared man in the North, and the most selfish boy in the Union at each others' throats. Despite their best-and worst-efforts, ancient secrets will be uncovered, bloody battles won and lost, and bitter enemies forgiven...but not before they are hanged.