Audiobooks Like Before They Are Hanged

10 audiobooks for fans of Before They Are Hanged

1. 1

   

   The Trouble with Peace

   The Age of Madness • Book 2

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same morally complex characters and darkly witty dialogue to life, maintaining the gritty tone and cynical humor that defines Abercrombie's world. The sequel deepens the themes of ambition and corruption explored in the first book while delivering that signature blend of brutal action and character-driven storytelling that made the original so compelling.

   Why this book?

   Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same morally complex characters and darkly witty dialogue to life, maintaining the gritty tone and cynical humor that defines Abercrombie's world. The sequel deepens the themes of ambition and corruption explored in the first book while delivering that signature blend of brutal action and character-driven storytelling that made the original so compelling.

   ★ 4.75 ABR Score (56.2K ratings)

   ★ 4.6 Goodreads (46.4K) ★ 4.86 Audible (9.8K)

   21h 57m listening time • Released 2020

   Steven Pacey's narration transforms this political dark fantasy into something almost Shakespearean—his voice work elevates already sharp character writing into genuinely unforgettable performances you'll hear in your head for months.

   More about this pick

   Steven Pacey's narration transforms this political dark fantasy into something almost Shakespearean—his voice work elevates already sharp character writing into genuinely unforgettable performances you'll hear in your head for months.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
2. 2

   

   The Wisdom of Crowds

   The Age of Madness • Book 3

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same morally complex characters and darkly witty dialogue to life with equal brilliance, while Abercrombie deepens his exploration of ambition and corruption that defined the first book. The cynical tone and intricate plotting remain hallmarks of both works, making this a seamless continuation for listeners invested in his gritty fantasy world.

   Why this book?

   Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same morally complex characters and darkly witty dialogue to life with equal brilliance, while Abercrombie deepens his exploration of ambition and corruption that defined the first book. The cynical tone and intricate plotting remain hallmarks of both works, making this a seamless continuation for listeners invested in his gritty fantasy world.

   ★ 4.74 ABR Score (50.4K ratings)

   ★ 4.6 Goodreads (41.3K) ★ 4.85 Audible (9.1K)

   23h 37m listening time • Released 2021

   Steven Pacey transforms Abercrombie's sprawling revolution into a masterclass in character voices, making each schemer's descent through chaos feel devastatingly personal across 24 hours of pure narrative grip.

   More about this pick

   Steven Pacey transforms Abercrombie's sprawling revolution into a masterclass in character voices, making each schemer's descent through chaos feel devastatingly personal across 24 hours of pure narrative grip.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
3. 3

   

   A Little Hatred

   The Age of Madness • Book 1

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same dark wit and morally complex characters to life, while Abercrombie's unflinching exploration of ambition, violence, and political corruption deepens across this later installment. The gritty, character-driven storytelling and sardonic humor that made the first book compelling returns with even greater sophistication and narrative scope.

   Why this book?

   Steven Pacey's masterful narration brings the same dark wit and morally complex characters to life, while Abercrombie's unflinching exploration of ambition, violence, and political corruption deepens across this later installment. The gritty, character-driven storytelling and sardonic humor that made the first book compelling returns with even greater sophistication and narrative scope.

   ★ 4.65 ABR Score (72.9K ratings)

   ★ 4.45 Goodreads (61.8K) ★ 4.75 Audible (11.1K)

   20h 20m listening time • Released 2019

   Steven Pacey turns Abercrombie's grimy, morally bankrupt world into something genuinely alive—his voice work makes you feel the desperation of each character's climb, and the political scheming lands with brutal comic timing.

   More about this pick

   Steven Pacey turns Abercrombie's grimy, morally bankrupt world into something genuinely alive—his voice work makes you feel the desperation of each character's climb, and the political scheming lands with brutal comic timing.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
4. 4

   

   Red Country

   First Law World • Book 6

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   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.

   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.

   ★ 4.63 ABR Score (77.2K ratings)

   ★ 4.32 Goodreads (66.8K) ★ 4.79 Audible (10.4K)

   19h 52m listening time • Released 2012

   Shy South pursues the kidnappers who burned her home and stole her siblings, accompanied only by oxen and her cowardly stepfather Lamb.

   More about this pick

   Shy South pursues the kidnappers who burned her home and stole her siblings, accompanied only by oxen and her cowardly stepfather Lamb.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
5. 5

   

   The Heroes

   First Law World • Book 5

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   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.

   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.

   ★ 4.62 ABR Score (87.1K ratings)

   ★ 4.35 Goodreads (77.8K) ★ 4.76 Audible (9.3K)

   23h 5m listening time • Released 2016

   Three brutal days of warfare over a worthless hill get Steven Pacey's full character treatment — his voice work turns each soldier into someone you'll remember.

   More about this pick

   Three brutal days of warfare over a worthless hill get Steven Pacey's full character treatment — his voice work turns each soldier into someone you'll remember.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
6. 6

   

   Best Served Cold

   First Law World • Book 4

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   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.

   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.

   ★ 4.58 ABR Score (126.0K ratings)

   ★ 4.25 Goodreads (113.4K) ★ 4.7 Audible (12.7K)

   26h 29m listening time • Released 2016

   Mercenary captain Monza survives assassination only to embark on methodical revenge against her former employers. Pacey inhabits each player in this chess game of betrayal with distinctive menace and wit.

   More about this pick

   Mercenary captain Monza survives assassination only to embark on methodical revenge against her former employers. Pacey inhabits each player in this chess game of betrayal with distinctive menace and wit.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
7. 7

   

   The Devils

   The Devils • Book 1

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   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*.

   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*.

   ★ 4.54 ABR Score (69.7K ratings)

   ★ 4.22 Goodreads (62.8K) ★ 4.72 Audible (6.9K)

   25h 6m listening time • Released 2025

   Brother Diaz leads a squad of murderers and monsters on a holy mission requiring unholy methods in Abercrombie's new fantasy series. Steven Pacey returns to capture every brutal, darkly comic moment with his signature skill.

   More about this pick

   Brother Diaz leads a squad of murderers and monsters on a holy mission requiring unholy methods in Abercrombie's new fantasy series. Steven Pacey returns to capture every brutal, darkly comic moment with his signature skill.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
8. 8

   

   Sharp Ends

   First Law World • Book 7

   by Joe Abercrombie

   Narrated by Steven Pacey

   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.

   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.

   ★ 4.45 ABR Score (32.0K ratings)

   ★ 4.11 Goodreads (27.7K) ★ 4.71 Audible (4.3K)

   11h 49m listening time • Released 2016

   Abercrombie's collection explores the First Law world's darkest corners through mercenaries, thieves, and bastards living on society's brutal margins. Steven Pacey brings distinct personality to each violent, morally complex tale.

   More about this pick

   Abercrombie's collection explores the First Law world's darkest corners through mercenaries, thieves, and bastards living on society's brutal margins. Steven Pacey brings distinct personality to each violent, morally complex tale.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
9. 9

   

   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

   Narrated by Dick Hill, Tim Gerard Reynolds, Nick Podehl, Allyson Johnson, Christian Rodska, Emily Bauer

   ★ 3.98 ABR Score (1.3K ratings)

   ★ 3.96 Goodreads (1.0K) ★ 4.13 Audible (246)

   20h 55m listening time • Released 2016

   Twenty-three fantasy authors contribute unrestrained tales without thematic constraints in this genre celebration. The six-narrator ensemble including Tim Gerard Reynolds and Nick Podehl brings remarkable variety to each story.

   More about this pick

   Twenty-three fantasy authors contribute unrestrained tales without thematic constraints in this genre celebration. The six-narrator ensemble including Tim Gerard Reynolds and Nick Podehl brings remarkable variety to each story.

   Start Listening → Get the Book →
   Start Listening → Get the Book →
10. 10

    

    The Sound of Change

    The Bards and Dragons Saga • Book 2

    by Steve D. Wall

    Narrated by Steven Pacey

    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.

    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.

    ★ 4.06 ABR Score (207 ratings)

    ★ 4.32 Goodreads (95) ★ 4.73 Audible (112)

    23h 34m listening time • Released 2025

    Flintlock fantasy continues as exiled Ulric, silenced bard Dellioph, and despairing Gali flee pursuing dragons. Pacey returns to this gun-and-magic world with his signature character work.

    More about this pick

    Flintlock fantasy continues as exiled Ulric, silenced bard Dellioph, and despairing Gali flee pursuing dragons. Pacey returns to this gun-and-magic world with his signature character work.

    Start Listening → Get the Book →
    Start Listening → Get the Book →