Review: Brilliant, I LOVED it
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 19, 2013
Every once in  a while, if you are lucky enough, you get to read a book like Noble LiesAt 803 pages, it is certainly not a quick read, but it is so worth it.  It is one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page.  I read this book in March and I still find myself thinking about it all the time.It is a period piece, with beautiful ball gowns worn by the women of the nobility, horse and carriage transportation and candles and lanterns and roaring fires, beautifully romantic ..........  Yes, it could have been all that, but when your marriage is arranged at birth and you meet your intended partner for the first time a few days before the marriage takes place, the romance of the setting can soon turn to tears and heartache when one part of the 'couple' does not want to get married.I found the tradition of the arranged marriages strange - especially as they were arranged by the church and according to the alignment of the stars at the time of the bride's birth.  It was also strange that the Church had such a powerful hold over the people, and yet they were not overly religious.  It wasn't discussed at length in the book but the author alluded to a period of unrest/war in the past, and their (the nobles) unwillingness to revert to that period of unrest and uncertainty is what kept them in line for such a long time.The author weaves a story of love and despair, corruption and evil, lies and deceit, but ultimately reveals a love story that is based on trust, commitment and understanding - it is a love that surpasses all other.It is a beautifully written story, and is one that will stay with me for a very long time.I bought Just Live, Juliette also by the same author yesterday.