Before They Are Hanged

Good:
The plot lines are overall more engaging in the followup to the Blade Itself owing in good part to the further development of the Northmen characters (Dogman, Tul Duru, Three Trees etc.). Bayaz's quest to the edge of the world also consistently engages and entertains. Character development and world-building takes large strides here and overall creates a much more immersive reading experience.

Bad:
The Glokta viewpoint never seems to maintain interest and comes off as more of a diversion/throwaway plotline (especially considering the overall implications to the overarching plot). This also suffers from the middle book issue of having an awful cliffhanger ending that leaves no satisfaction for the reader.

Ugly:
N/A