The Price of Creation

The Historian Tales #1

by Lance Conrad

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fiction, Epic Fantasy

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 14, 2011

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this book is great! I liked it because it's not the like the normal average story. It is clearly thought out and is very great to read when you want a bit of different in your life. I personally think that the story show true greatness within not only the Historian but as Sadvair as well. I don't want to give anything away but I really like how he decided to help Sadvair. Who? I guess if you don't read this book you will never figure it out.

[Helen Lent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This was truly an exceptional read. It keeps you engrossed from beginning to end. I am looking forward to reading the next one in this series.

[Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

The first half is a long description of a Jackie Chan training montage. The second half is what you'd expect with that first half being a training montage. Typical YA premise and plot. One odd thing is the first person narrator being some sort of unexplained omnipotent God who watches and tells stories or some shit. This is obvious immediately and not spoilers for those of you who actually want to read this. Some embarrassing gender stereotypes and lines that make it pretty obvious that this was written by a guy. I couldn't stop laughing when I considered the types of names given to the two different classes of people. Two different classes of people in YA? HOLY SHIT! Anyway, they are fantasy names and then Russian names. It's fantasy vs Russians. On the fantasy side there's Aric, Lauria, or Sadavir, while the Russian side there is Nadia, Ivan, Igor, Vodkaman, and Vladimir Puton. Here comes genocide, division, and magic rocks or crystals that dictate how people live their lives, just like some real life people. Totally average. 2.5/5

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Price of Creation is a fantastic story in need of a good editor. I really enjoyed the world of Surac. I loved the concept of the wandering historian who observes and sometimes influences. The magic system was fantastic, and the ending was great. However, the prose was a bit awkward at times, giving the narrator/historian less of the character the author seemed to be going for. Also, the grammar errors were pretty bad. Spelling errors, missing words, and most frequently, commas to separate two (or more) independent clauses. Of course, I am an editor and can only partially turn off my editor brain. If you can silence your inner editor, this book is easily a 4-star book. I will still probably recommend this to fantasy enthusiasts who have already thoroughly explored the genre. It's just a shame that such a great story was left without the layer of polish that would have made it excellent.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Price Of Creation by Lance Conrad is a very exciting book for middle schoolers . First, Lance uses lots of exciting descriptions. For example, the Historian writes, "He came flying through the solid wood door." That describes how strong one of the characters has to be. Likewise, the main character is about 13, the age of a 7th or 8th grader. Above all, this is a very good and exciting book for middle schoolers.

[Trinnity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! (I have read it three times now) Once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down!! The historian tales are a must read!! This book has a wonderful theme and great language!! Lance Conrad is a great author and truly puts himself out there. I highly recommended his books!!

[Pierce Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. My favorite part of this book was the narrator, he was an immortal who was so wise due to the fact that all he does is view and record stories, which he learns and teaches from. I really saw myself in this book and it just drug me along with the story. It was amazing!

[John Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for young adults and kids. An excellent message packaged in a fast-paced, stimulating novel that should be read by everyone!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It's adventurous creative and very thought provoking.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like taking a mini vacation with lots of adventure. Great job Lance!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I loved it so much I went and read it twice. This author is the best.

[Logan Lahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I hope he makes the 15 he promised.

[Lily May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up past midnight to finish this, if that tells you anything. Be pRePaReD for overelaboration...

There were maybe a few points in the book that I felt could use a little refining. Not a portion of the story, simple a paragraph or two I would have liked to be more subtle to the reader or phrased differently, though I know most of them were on purpose.

There were quite a few turns I didn't expect, not as dramatic and shocking as in the book "Wings of Olympus" but still executed well.

Wonderful story. Most books have a lot of hidden morals and such, which I'm sure this does too if I were to take the time to study it (which I hardly ever do...) but this one was very direct at the end.

The firm, plain way the narrator sums up the story at the end is very conclusive, and while it leaves mildly less space for thoughtfulness, theories, etc. to be left hanging at the end, it makes for a nice, solid way to really drive the main point home.

I really liked this way of cutting off the story so fixatedly, rather than leaving it at "they lived happily ever after." There is still space for pondering, but the author made a point out of a point, and it was made clear and concise that this was exactly what they wanted you to think about, rather than hiding it all up within endless poetic lines you must read between to understand how it was woven. It has it's own type of poetry.

I'll tire down now and leave it at that...

[Lucas Mattila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I really like this book. It's not super courageous, nor inventive -- it even leans a bit on existing fantasy tropes, but I love the way magic works in this world, and I also found the narrative situation engaging and mysterious. The idea of a series of books centered around an observer narrative that travels between worlds is marvelous for "plain fun" and sometimes when you read a book, you do it purely for entertainment. Lance Conrad succeeds here for me, and probably would for you too if you enjoy the genre.

Spoiler:

Overturning the tropes of a big final battle, the epic culmination of a group that travels spreading happiness and repair instead of conquest and destruction was something to revel in as a reader. When I hit that particular moment, I was boarding a bus, and I couldn't help but grin even though I had to set the book (kindle) down for a few moments to get seated. There's something purely euphoric and rightly human about this sort of ending, and it is the farthest thing from expectation in what I would generally think of as a fairly generic plot, with a chosen one, beautiful healing woman, a wise sage, a blacksmith father, exile, etc.

All in all, I really liked it, give it a read if you want a good time.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about a man who follows people and tell their stories, he goes by “The Historian”. The historian is following the story of a boy named Sadavir, a child born into the Creators, people blessed with certain abilities depending on their stones, Sadavir however is born a Destroyer, with a dark stone. He is exiled by his people to cross a giant wall that was built by the people’s ancestors. He goes on his journey in hopes of being accepted but soon learns of a past that will change things. Some people have said that there are parts in the story that are “choppy” and I can agree, some parts are phrased in odd ways but over all I really enjoyed this book. Some reasons I really enjoyed the book was because of the characters. The characters Lance came up with are amazing. The way he builds them up and makes you interested in even the meanest of characters is great. I like the pace there is behind the story, reading I felt calm as if I myself were in the story, which not being a really big reader was interesting. I highly recommend and I will surely continue reading the rest of The Historian Tales.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have read it a few times before, and it was just as enjoyable this time around as it was the first time I read it. I like how deep and meaningful the book can be if you choose to see it that way. Even if you don't, there is enough action and adventure to keep you completely satisfied, but the fact that this book is often thought provoking and poignant, makes this book stand out among many other fantasy adventure books. The whole idea of Sadavir being trained in the manner of war and yet raised with love, for the purpose of peace, is quite compelling and intriguing. However, it isn't so deep that it is hard to read, rather the opposite, the book flows smoothly from one scene to the next, and the characters are well developed and intriguing. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I also wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants a quick, enjoyable, fantasy book.

[chancy Halliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the story interesting. The progression was decent and moved at a good pace. It is a short read.
I would have liked it better if the wall would have been larger. They made it sound smaller than some medieval town walls. It could have at least been the size of the grate wall of China or the walls of Constantinople.
I would have liked it if more types of stone had been introduced.

Also, It would have been a good idea to have more friends for Sadavir on the creator side of the wall. Something to give him hope. As it is now he was just a perfect warrior from the get-go. never doubting anything his father said. There could have been a lot of character growth if there had been a little more drama.

[Karen Bristow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very hesitant to read this book at first. I thought it was heavy fantasy, which is definitely not my favorite genre. While it has some elements of fantasy, it is mostly a story about life. I couldn't put it down. It is a story about people torn apart by judgment and labeling, and how working together strengthens people. The best parts of this book are the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They come from the main character, who is a narrator for the story. Those, along with the story itself makes you reflect deeply about yourself and others, and the importance of mankind in general.

[Callee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d say 3 star but it’s my sons fav book so I’ll go 4 stars. This book is perfect for 5-7/8 graders. I can see why my 6th grader loved it so much! I liked it too. The idea of a storyteller that wanders and watchers the stories of people or civilizations lives is a great idea and premise for a book series. I’m curious about his other books and will read them. I think kids like the book so much bc it’s a quick engaging read. As an adult I felt like the book could have been so much more but there just wasn’t much depth to the characters.

[Sharon Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never too old for a good quest

Although Mr. Conrad probably aims his books toward a young demographic, and I was thinking I'd recommend them to my grandsons, I too found them engaging. They are an easy read, but I love the clean and moral tenor of the story. The plot was interesting and the struggle's resolution had some unexpected turns. I also enjoyed the characters and their interaction. Think the series would be a great gift for a young man between ten and fifteen.

[Paul Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book with a captivating tale. I enjoyed the first-hand viewpoint and narration from the Historian. How would you set up the world so that people *had* to cooperate? The interplay between the Creators and the Destroyers, and their Stones, is novel and satisfying. I was delighted by many phrases: "... what our people lack in [fighting] skill, they make up for in cowardice." (page 12, Chapter 1)

[Chance Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The price of creation was a book that I had chosen to read simply because I had read it before and wanted to reread it. Even still as I was reading the book I found greater meaning and found meaning in phrases that I didn't find the first time through. The third person omniscient point of view is something I like to see when I read a book and the story is definitely intriguing to me. It's a story that I will cherish for years to come.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wandering historian stumbles upon a story of two peoples who hate each other. One side is born with clear stones that are theirs for life, the color of which denotes it's attribute. The other side is born with opaque stones. The clear stones are Creators. The opaque Destroyers. Where will the tale of one born to the Creators with the wrong stone lead?

[Matouš · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read about half of the book but couldn’t get myself to finish it. Although the story was somewhat interesting, the dialogue and pacing were so bad it was very distracting. The use of the “Historian” as a non-participatory bystander did not help the book flow. He just appeared out of nowhere, and no one questioned him about his past, despite living there for decades??

[Jacob Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely fun to read and a very good introduction to the main character and who he is, everything did feel a bit shallow but it's likely because this was the first book written by Conrad and he was likely still exploring the concept. Overall this was a very good book and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Vicki Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this came up 5 stars because that's what I rated it!

I really enjoyed this book. It caught me up from the first chapter... and the way he worked in to the main character was really clever. Loved it. Anxious to read the next book!

[Jason Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a really good book, one that i would read again many times over. The characters are very well done where they each have their own distinct personality. And the story plot was unlike any other that i have read it was very invigorating and has given me new ideas.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Book

This book is action packed from beginning to end, once you start it is hard to stop. The ending was fantastic, this book has many lessons that if people in real life learn, this world would be much better

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t waste your time with this one.

I would give negative stars if it were possible. This is a story in serious need of an editor. While it has some promise as an idea, the execution is severely lacking.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

This was a competently crafted story that kept my interest until the end. It was good fantasy that, much like the fables of old, was really a morality tale in disguise.