Recommendations based on Before They Are Hangedby Joe Abercrombie

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. Last Argument of Kings

    by Joe Abercrombie
    War-torn kingdom in chaos, as a ruthless ruler seeks to expand his empire.

    The end is coming. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him but it's going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the King of the Northmen still stands firm, and there's only ... (Goodreads)

  2. The Blade Itself

    by Joe Abercrombie
    Epic fantasy saga of an unlikely band of misfits and their struggle against an oppressive empire.

    Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he’s on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian – leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead ... (Goodreads)

  3. Best Served Cold

    by Joe Abercrombie
    A tale of vengeance, as a wronged woman seeks to reclaim justice through any means necessary.

    Springtime in Styria. And that means war. Springtime in Styria. And that means revenge. There have been nineteen years of blood. The ruthless Grand Duke Orso is locked in a vicious struggle with the ... (Goodreads)

  4. The Way of Kings

    by Brandon Sanderson
    Epic fantasy saga of a young king and his quest to restore order to a broken kingdom.

    The story rotates between the points of view of Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Dalinar Kholin, and several other minor characters, who lead seemingly unconnected lives. Szeth, a Shin ... (Wikipedia)

  5. The Wise Man's Fear

    by Patrick Rothfuss
    Epic fantasy adventure of a young man's quest for knowledge, power and love.

    On the second day of his recounting the story of his life to Chronicler at the Waystone Inn, Kvothe continues the narrative commenced in, The Name of the Wind, , wherein a younger Kvothe pursues his ... (Wikipedia)

  6. The Well of Ascension

    by Brandon Sanderson
    In a post-apocalyptic world, a war-torn nation struggles to rebuild and survive.

    The Final Empire is in turmoil as various regions descend into anarchy following the Lord Ruler's death and the disappearance of the Steel Ministry. Elend Venture has claimed the crown of the capital ... (Wikipedia)

  7. The Hero of Ages

    by Brandon Sanderson
    A hero's quest to save the world from destruction, discovering secrets of the past.

    The Hero of Ages is the prophesied savior of the Terris people, foretold to find and give up the power at the Well of Ascension , in a selfless act to save the world from the Deepness. However, the ... (Wikipedia)

  8. Hyperion

    by Dan Simmons
    Epic science-fiction story of a journey to the distant planet Hyperion.

    In the 29th century, the Hegemony of Man comprises hundreds of planets connected by farcaster portals. The Hegemony maintains an uneasy alliance with the TechnoCore , a civilisation of AIs . Modified ... (Wikipedia)

  9. The Warded Man

    by Peter V. Brett
    Adventure of three unlikely heroes, who must battle monsters to save their world.

    As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise—demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, ... (Goodreads)

  10. Gardens of the Moon

    by Steven Erikson
    A complex and epic fantasy novel set in a world of magic, gods, and political intrigue. The Malazan Empire is in turmoil, and various factions are vying for power.

    The novel opens in the 96th year of the Malazan Empire, during the final year of the rule of Emperor Kellanved. Ganoes Paran, age 12, witnesses the sacking of the Mouse Quarter of Malaz City. Paran ... (Wikipedia)

  11. The Lies of Locke Lamora

    by Scott Lynch
    A band of con-artists in a bustling fantasy city, testing the limits of loyalty and justice.

    The Gentleman Bastards are masters of deception, disguise and fine cuisine. Father Chains, their "garrista" (leader), is a priest of the Crooked Warden, the god of thieves. He buys troublesome youth ... (Wikipedia)

  12. Fool's Errand

    by Robin Hobb
    Adventure of a man searching for a mysterious magical object to restore his kingdom.

    Fifteen years have passed since the end of the Red Ship War with the terrifying Outislanders. Since then, Fitz has wandered the world accompanied only by his wolf and Wit-partner, Nighteyes, finally ... (Wikipedia)

  13. Shadow's Edge

    by Brent Weeks
    Epic fantasy tale of a young man's quest to reclaim his lost magic and save the world from destruction.

    Kylar Stern has rejected the assassin's life. In the wake of the Godking's violent coup, both his master and his closest friend are dead. His friend was Logan Gyre, heir to Cenaria's throne, but few ... (Wikipedia)

  14. The Eye of the World

    by Robert Jordan
    Epic fantasy, filled with adventure and danger, as a group of heroes attempt to save the world.

    The Eye of the World revolves around protagonists Rand al'Thor , Matrim (Mat) Cauthon , Perrin Aybara , Egwene al'Vere , and Nynaeve al'Meara , after their residence of "Emond's Field" is ... (Wikipedia)

  15. Red Seas Under Red Skies

    by Scott Lynch
    A daring pair of con-artists set sail on a swashbuckling adventure across the tumultuous seas.

    Two years after Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen fled Camorr, they have created new secret identities for themselves in the island city of Tal Verrar as professional gamblers at an opulent casino called ... (Wikipedia)

  16. The Way of Shadows

    by Brent Weeks
    A young orphan boy becomes an assassin's apprentice, navigating a dangerous world of politics and magic.

    Azoth is an orphan who lives in the Warrens of Cenaria City. He and his two friends, Jarl and 'Doll Girl', are members of the Black Dragon Guild. They make their living stealing money to buy food and ... (Wikipedia)

  17. Old Man's War

    by John Scalzi
    Elderly citizens enlist in an interstellar war to save humanity, discovering new strength and purpose.

    Old Man's War is about a soldier named John Perry and his exploits in the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF). The first-person narrative follows Perry's military career from CDF recruit to the rank of ... (Wikipedia)

  18. Beyond the Shadows

    by Brent Weeks
    Epic fantasy adventure involving a young man's quest to unlock the secrets of his past.

    A new queen has usurped the throne and is leading Cenaria into disaster. The country has become a broken realm with a threadbare army, little food and no hope. So Kylar Stern plans to reinstate his ... (Goodreads)

  19. The Desert Spear

    by Peter V. Brett
    Epic fantasy adventure, full of magic and monsters, to protect mankind from destruction.

    The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that prey upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind half-forgotten symbols of power. Legends tell of a Deliverer: a ... (Goodreads)

  20. The Player of Games

    by Iain M. Banks
    A game-player embarks on a journey to win a tournament in a distant world, uncovering secrets along the way.

    The Culture - a humanoid/machine symbiotic society - has thrown up many great Game Players. One of the best is Jernau Morat Gurgeh, Player of Games, master of every board, computer and strategy. ... (Goodreads)

  21. The Fall of Hyperion

    by Dan Simmons
    Epic space opera, exploring the consequences of a universe-shattering event.

    The Hegemony is an interstellar governmental entity formed by many planets, most of which are connected by instantaneous farcaster portals. Some worlds, like Hyperion, have no farcaster portals and ... (Wikipedia)

  22. Golden Fool

    by Robin Hobb
    FitzChivalry Farseer, the bastard son of a prince, becomes embroiled in court intrigue and must navigate dangerous political waters to protect his loved ones.

    Fitz has succeeded in rescuing Prince Dutiful from the clutches of the Piebald rebels. But once again the cost of protecting the Farseer line has been dear: Nighteyes is dead. Fitz, though bitter and ... (Wikipedia)

  23. The Last Wish

    by Andrzej Sapkowski
    A dark fantasy adventure, filled with monsters, magic, and morality.

    The King of Temeria, Foltest, has offered a reward to anyone who can lift the curse on his daughter, Adda (the result of an incestuous union with his late sister, also named Adda), who was born as a ... (Wikipedia)

  24. The Crimson Campaign

    by Brian McClellan
    Epic fantasy tale of a band of unlikely heroes struggling to save their kingdom from a tyrannical enemy.

    Field Marshal Tamas has committed a brutal coup against Adro's monarchy and is now in open war with the Kez. Cut off behind enemy lines with only a fraction of his army, he must lead his men through ... (Wikipedia)

  25. Leviathan Wakes

    by James S.A. Corey
    Space adventure of two unlikely allies in a fight to save humanity.

    The ice hauling ship Canterbury (nicknamed the Cant by Belters) is en route from Saturn's Rings to Ceres Station when it encounters a distress signal . Five members of the Cant 's crew are dispatched ... (Wikipedia)

  26. Deadhouse Gates

    by Steven Erikson
    Epic fantasy adventure, chronicling the struggles of characters in a hostile, war-torn world.

    Deadhouse Gates begins a few months after the conclusion of Gardens of the Moon , though few characters and almost no settings bridge the two novels. The main action of Memories of Ice , the third ... (Wikipedia)

  27. The Black Company

    by Glen Cook
    Mercenary soldiers of a legendary company face the trials and tribulations of war.

    The series follows an elite mercenary unit, The Black Company, last of the Free Companies of Khatovar, through roughly forty years of its approximately four-hundred-year history. Cook mixes fantasy ... (Wikipedia)

  28. The Republic of Thieves

    by Scott Lynch
    An epic fantasy adventure full of action, humor, and intrigue.

    The book begins with the first meeting of Locke and Sabetha, the woman that he has been in love with throughout the series but who has not been introduced until this book. Sabetha and Locke meet when ... (Wikipedia)

  29. The Fifth Season

    by N.K. Jemisin
    A world where seismic and magical disasters ravage the land, and a woman's journey to save humanity.

    In a prologue, an extraordinarily powerful orogene discusses the sad state of the world and laments the oppression of his race. He then uses his enormous power to fracture the entire continent along ... (Wikipedia)

  30. A Memory of Light

    by Robert Jordan
    Epic story of the last great battle of the world, with a hero's journey to save it.

    In the prologue, the armies of the Westlands assemble in preparation for, Tarmon Gai'don, , as do the forces of the Shadow. The Forsaken Demandred stages a raid on the city of Caemlyn, sending ... (Wikipedia)