The Historian chances upon Surac, a land where people’s destinies are defined by powerful pendants they have from birth, called Stones. Those whose Stones give them useful skills call themselves Creators, and isolate themselves from all others with a wall that splits the entire continent. When Aric, a Creator blacksmith, has a son born with a Stone that marks him for violence and destruction, … they find themselves in danger from those they called their friends.
When the boy, Sadavir, is ultimately banished, he discovers secrets far darker than the villagers’ petty prejudices. On the far side of the wall, he learns the origin of the Stones’ magic and a war that dates back centuries. As he uncovers the true power locked in the Stones, he must find a way to unite ancient enemies in order to save his family. To stop a genocide, Sadavir must face his own destiny of violence.
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I am a 6th grade teacher. I purchased a classroom set of The Price of Creation because I loved it so much and wanted to be able to share it with my class every year. This book has many life lessons as well as being entertaining and a great page-turner. My students love the story and don’t want to put it down after we begin. I highly recommend this book.
This is a fantastic start to a great series. If you’re on the fence or looking for a new author, I highly recommend Lance Conrad. His historian series is very unique and fun to read. It’s a very interesting idea and with each book we learn a little more about the main character, which is always exciting.
Loved this book!! I read it when my teenagers did and we all LOVED it!
Very Well developed. I was so engaged and invested in the characters. It Led to some great discussions about deep topics with my kids. Couldn’t wait to finish it, and sad its over. I have read most of them and plan to read them all!
This was a great read, I enjoyed the interesting story and deep characters. If you enjoy Brandon Sanderson and young adult adventure, this is the book for you!
This first installment of The Historian Tales was quite an interesting read. I think Mr. Conrad really has something here, with his unique approach to the Y.A. Fantasy genre. While it is written in first person, the narrator is not your average character so it reads more like third person through most of the book. I find this to be a very clever idea, one which reminds me a little bit of George MacDonald’s work in At the Back of the North Wind.
The story is also quite original and I found myself pretty impressed with the author’s ability to create a twist ending without me suspecting that he would. I can usually spot those coming about halfway through any given book. Now, if I could only figure out how to write one myself.
This is the author’s first book in The Historian series, (although reading them in order is unnecessary) and as such, it does a good job of introducing some very creative ideas, and a fascinating character called The Historian. He is the narrator of the story and everything is seen through his eyes. The book is a fast paced, quick read, and has a somewhat surprising ending.
My favorite part of the book was all the little thought provoking quotes at the beginning of each chapter; ‘Musings of the Historian’. I’m big into collecting quotes and ideas and such, so that aspect of the tale was right up my alley.
I have read the other two books in the series so far, and this one is honestly not my favorite, but it still was enjoyable. However, you may be pleased to know that each book in the series gets better and better. I’m really excited to see what the author comes up with next!
This has a story that I go back and think about quite often. The world building is simple, but follows solid internal logic. The Historian as our main storyteller/character provides an enjoyable and relaxing read. It takes some basic ideas /tropes and flips them around just enough to provide a unique read with story elements you already know you enjoy. I do recommend this to people quite often, and have never had someone who didn’t enjoy it.
Price of Creation is a clear and compelling fantasy. The world building happens subtlety, which I like, and makes me feel like I have just stepped into the world instead of being forced into it. The Historian is my favorite by far and I love that he is in all the books.
THE PRICE OF CREATION by Lance Conrad
A mysterious stranger arrives in a strange land looking for stories and he finds them in the home of the village blacksmith Aric and his wife Lauria as the birth of their child approaches. Over the course of 20 years the stranger observes the growth of the couples’ boy to young manhood all the while commenting on the societies he has become a part of. Although the story takes place a long time ago in a [land] far, far away, the content could have been ripped right out of todays headlines as villagers fight among themselves as well as those from nearby villages. The only hope for peace seems to be the young man and the special abilities he has been born with. The author provides the reader with a multitude of wisdom as the stranger counsels with Aric, Lauria and their son Sadavir along with other characters in the story. Those reading this book will come away with new perspectives and a wealth of experiences as the richly developed characters of the story move from fear and suspicion of others to trust and friendship. The book is a quick and easy read and provides the reader with an abundance of topics for discussions with others, of all ages. Good for all ages.
It’s a good read I enjoy the action in the book. I can imagine the character and what they look like by how the author describes them. It’s a perfect book for young men to read and take a positive message from !
Every page seemed to pull me into the story deeper. I loved the way the world was set. Even if it didnt say in words what the character was feeling the you knew what the character was feeling. It is one of my favorite books ever!
I’ve read this book twice and it is phenomenal. Thee characters are extremely likable, but still human and relatable. Extremely underrated book series, would recommend!
This is an amazing book. Very well written. It pulls you in quickly and holds your attention. Leaving you wanting more. There is adventure wherever the historian goes.
One of the more difficult hurdles for an author in the fantasy genre is creating characters and worlds that are new, imaginative, and capture the attention of the reader without being a simple rehash of other stories and authors.
A genuinely good tale, with engaging characters that takes the reader and immerses them in a world that is new, yet quickly becomes familiar as the author leads you into the story.
With “The Price of Creation”, Lance has created a unique world that not only accomplishes all of the positives, but is just plain old fashioned fun to read!
I absolutely love this book!! The first in the series from Lance Conrad. The way he describes each character helps to see them as true to life. He takes you visually to the surroundings making you feel like you knew where you were or maybe had been there before. It made me want to continue to turn each page. I loved the concept of the book as well! Being born with colored stones to determine status and station in life. It caused me think about my own creation. Imagination or deeply steeped in reality? You decide. He is a wonderful storyteller!
I loved the world created in this book. I thought it was cool how everyone had their own magic stone that helped them with their craft. I liked the quotes at the beginning of each chapter!
Great book! So many great quotes!
A good mixture of fantasy and sci-fi with an interesting point of view; altogether a great book!
Lance sold me on this book while attending Salt Lake Comic Con. I purchased the book while there on September 6, 2014. On Thursday, September 11th, I was able to stay reading the book. I read chapter one that day and chapter two on Friday. Saturday evening I sat down to read and ended up finishing the book at 1am. I am very glad that I purchased this book and look forward to reading each and everyone of his books as the are released.
Great book. Great life lessons. I’d recommend it to anyone.