10 books for fans of Before They Are Hanged
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The Heroes
First Law World • Book 5
Why this book?
The Heroes delivers the same dark humor, morally complex characters, and gritty medieval warfare that made *Before They Are Hanged* compelling, while Pacey's masterful narration captures the brutal cynicism with equal intensity across the same runtime. Abercrombie's razor-sharp dialogue and unreliable perspectives reach new heights as three days of battle unfold through multiple viewpoints, rewarding listeners who appreciated the first book's blend of character depth and savage irony.
★ 4.35 Goodreads (77.8K ratings) - 2
Red Country
First Law World • Book 6
Why this book?
Red Country delivers the same gritty, morally ambiguous fantasy world with Pacey's masterful narration bringing its complex characters to life, while trading epic scope for a tighter, more personal story of vengeance and survival. The sharp dialogue and dark humor that define Abercrombie's voice remain intact, making this a natural continuation for listeners invested in his cynical take on the fantasy genre.
★ 4.32 Goodreads (66.8K ratings) - 3
Best Served Cold
First Law World • Book 4
Why this book?
Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same gritty, morally complex world to life, deepening the dark humor and brutal character work that made *Before They Are Hanged* compelling. *Best Served Cold* delivers Abercrombie's signature blend of cynicism and unexpected heart through an even more intricate revenge narrative, rewarding listeners who appreciated the first book's unflinching take on ambition and consequence.
★ 4.25 Goodreads (113.4K ratings) - 4
The Devils
The Devils • Book 1
Why this book?
Steven Pacey's masterful narration returns to bring Abercrombie's morally complex characters to vivid life, delivering the same darkly witty, gritty fantasy tone that made the first book compelling. The Devils deepens the author's exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the cost of power with an even more intricate narrative structure, rewarding listeners who appreciated the character-driven storytelling and philosophical depth of *Before They Are Hanged*.
★ 4.22 Goodreads (62.8K ratings) - 5
Sharp Ends
First Law World • Book 7
Why this book?
Sharp Ends delivers the same mordant wit and gritty character work that defines Before They Are Hanged, with Steven Pacey's masterful narration bringing equal depth to these interconnected short stories set in the same brutal world. The collection captures Abercrombie's signature blend of dark humor and moral ambiguity in a more compact format, perfect for listeners who crave another immersive experience without the extended commitment.
★ 4.11 Goodreads (27.7K ratings) - 6
Unbound
Annwn Cycle #The Dead's Revenant • Book 1
by Shawn Speakman, Terry Brooks, Seanan McGuire, Mark Lawrence, Anthony Ryan, Tim Marquitz, Brian Staveley, Michael J. Sullivan, John Marco, Peter Orullian, Kat Richardson, Sam Sykes, Kristen Britain, Mazarkis Williams, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Harry Connolly, Delilah S. Dawson, David Anthony Durham, Jason M. Hough, Mary Robinette Kowal, Joe Abercrombie
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Complete creative freedom yields twenty-three original tales spanning fantasy's full emotional spectrum. Some stories will devastate you while others demand late-night page-turning in this unthemed anthology.
★ 3.96 Goodreads (1.0K ratings) - 7
The Sound of Change
The Bards and Dragons Saga • Book 2
by Steve D. Wall
Why this book?
Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same richly layered character work and dark wit to *The Sound of Change*, creating an equally immersive listening experience across a comparable runtime. Both epics balance gritty, morally complex storytelling with moments of unexpected levity, making them ideal for listeners who crave fantasy with psychological depth and narrative sophistication.
★ 4.32 Goodreads (95 ratings) - 8
Dangerous Women
The Dresden Files #13.1 - Bombshells
by George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, Carrie Vaughn, Lev Gossman, Joe R. Lansdale, Megan Lindholm, Lawrence Block, Brandon Sanderson, Sharon Kay Penman, Lev Grossman, Nancy Kress, Diana Rowland, Diana Gabaldon, S.M. Stirling, Sam Sykes, Pat Cadigan, Caroline Spector, Joe Abercrombie, Megan Abbott, Cecelia Holland, Jim Butcher, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Melinda M. Snodgrass
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Fantasy heavyweights and crime writers unite to explore women who kill, scheme, and survive, including a new Dresden Files adventure and tales from Westeros.
★ 3.67 Goodreads (13.2K ratings) - 9
The Butcher's Masquerade
Dungeon Crawler Carl • Book 5
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Book five throws our dungeon crawlers into a prehistoric hunting ground where velociraptors are the least of their problems. The mysterious end-floor celebration promises answers about the aliens destroying Earth.
★ 4.69 Goodreads (108.1K ratings) - 10
The Eye of the Bedlam Bride
Dungeon Crawler Carl • Book 6
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Floor eight scatters our heroes across a realm of forgotten gods and deadly politics while the dungeon's AI systems crumble—bedlam has never been so entertaining.
★ 4.66 Goodreads (91.7K ratings)