What do you think?
Rate this book
The Historian Tales #2
The Price of Nobility
When the king isolates himself and lets the country fall into ruin, Simeon, a soft spoken military leader takes it upon himself to make one last, desperate attempt to save the kingdom. With the Historian as a witness and his trusting younger brother at his side, Simeon joins forces with a dark mercenary, called Hunger by his enemies, to kidnap the king. When their attempts to teach him self-reliance and humility end in tragedy, king and soldier alike must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in a war that may have already been lost.
- GenresFantasy
234 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2014
23 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 27, 2014
As I am the author, I will award myself the full five stars ;). This book surprised me the first time I let someone else read it. I'll always remember this book as the one where the supporting characters stole the show.
October 19, 2014
I just finished this book. I again want to thank Lance for convincing me to purchase the books while he was at Salt Lake Comic Con. I was unable to read this one as quickly as the other due to lack of time, but am just as amazed as I was with the first. I can not wait to hear more about the historian and learn what other stories he gets to see.
January 7, 2019
The Price of Nobility is the 2nd book in Lance Conrad's series, The Historian Tales. First, off the series is all about an immortal storyteller who never sleeps or gets tired. He travels worlds to witness great stories. This story was of fallen kingdom and what it took to get it back.
The story starts out with the historian meeting two men - Simeon and Joseph. While the historian was with Simeon and Joseph he learned of the land and kingdom he was in. The kingdom was suffering because their king was not worthy of responsibility he held. He taxed the kingdom greatly and their defense system, the land guard, was not as powerful or organized as it ought to be. Without a proper army, the kingdom was in great danger of an attack by their long time enemies, the Marauders. Simeon had a unique plan. He just needed one other person besides his brother to complete his plan. He needed a ruthless man, whose name was Asher. He hired Asher, a veteran of a war with the marauder a while back, and he needed his skills to capture the king without being caught. Asher captured the king and brought him back to Simeon and Joseph. They took him deep into the woods to an old abandoned shed. Their plan was not to replace the king, but return him a better king, a true man, someone worthy of being king.
The king had a lot to learn. He spat and cursed at his captors. His captors did not give him anything. The King earned everything. He learned how to find food, grow a garden, build a fire, and fight while he was there. One day Simeon sent Joseph back to get more supplies and he came back running and in agony. He announced that the kingdom had been taken over by the marauders while they were gone. Everything fell apart just then. But they did not give up. Simeon and Joseph returned first, and then the next day the King and Asher and the Historian were hurrying back to the kingdom. They were not going to give up the kingdom so easily. The King and Asher had a man on the inside telling them of guard rotations and positions and with that information they organized open attacks in the open for all the people of the kingdom to see. Their goal was to the people that their king was still there and still fighting for them. They continued these attacks against disorganized guards for weeks. They eventually reunited with Joseph and Simeon and they came up with a daring plan. The plan went sideways and one of their members died. The next day King Tibian ended up challenging the king of the marauders. King Tibian knew he would lose, but he challenged him anyway. He succeeded in cutting part of the masters arm off with his sword but he was severely injured. Some old friends showed up just in time and they drove the Master and his marauders back. From there the marauders force fell apart because they saw that their master and leader crippled. The marauders were drove back to their own lands and King Tibian had miraculously survived. King Tibian was going to be a great king, and as the story ended the historian left, going where his feet would take him to witness another great story.
I really liked this book. Throughout the book a man was changed, a king was changed. Although The Historian is to only witness stories and not participate them, he often gives advice to the characters. One of my favorite words of advice in this book comes from the historian speaking to the King. He asks the king, "Are you a man, are you a father, or are you a king." Through asking this question, providing context to answer, the king figured out that he was the father of a nation and he was manly enough to set aside his pride to protect his nation. He would be a true king.
I would recommend this to all my classmates. This was one of my favorite reads because it was interesting and sophisticated. The characters developed plans and strategies and you get to read about and see the characters pull off. Lance Conrad is a great author because he describes situations very good and you feel as if you are witnessing a story firsthand with The Historian.
The story starts out with the historian meeting two men - Simeon and Joseph. While the historian was with Simeon and Joseph he learned of the land and kingdom he was in. The kingdom was suffering because their king was not worthy of responsibility he held. He taxed the kingdom greatly and their defense system, the land guard, was not as powerful or organized as it ought to be. Without a proper army, the kingdom was in great danger of an attack by their long time enemies, the Marauders. Simeon had a unique plan. He just needed one other person besides his brother to complete his plan. He needed a ruthless man, whose name was Asher. He hired Asher, a veteran of a war with the marauder a while back, and he needed his skills to capture the king without being caught. Asher captured the king and brought him back to Simeon and Joseph. They took him deep into the woods to an old abandoned shed. Their plan was not to replace the king, but return him a better king, a true man, someone worthy of being king.
The king had a lot to learn. He spat and cursed at his captors. His captors did not give him anything. The King earned everything. He learned how to find food, grow a garden, build a fire, and fight while he was there. One day Simeon sent Joseph back to get more supplies and he came back running and in agony. He announced that the kingdom had been taken over by the marauders while they were gone. Everything fell apart just then. But they did not give up. Simeon and Joseph returned first, and then the next day the King and Asher and the Historian were hurrying back to the kingdom. They were not going to give up the kingdom so easily. The King and Asher had a man on the inside telling them of guard rotations and positions and with that information they organized open attacks in the open for all the people of the kingdom to see. Their goal was to the people that their king was still there and still fighting for them. They continued these attacks against disorganized guards for weeks. They eventually reunited with Joseph and Simeon and they came up with a daring plan. The plan went sideways and one of their members died. The next day King Tibian ended up challenging the king of the marauders. King Tibian knew he would lose, but he challenged him anyway. He succeeded in cutting part of the masters arm off with his sword but he was severely injured. Some old friends showed up just in time and they drove the Master and his marauders back. From there the marauders force fell apart because they saw that their master and leader crippled. The marauders were drove back to their own lands and King Tibian had miraculously survived. King Tibian was going to be a great king, and as the story ended the historian left, going where his feet would take him to witness another great story.
I really liked this book. Throughout the book a man was changed, a king was changed. Although The Historian is to only witness stories and not participate them, he often gives advice to the characters. One of my favorite words of advice in this book comes from the historian speaking to the King. He asks the king, "Are you a man, are you a father, or are you a king." Through asking this question, providing context to answer, the king figured out that he was the father of a nation and he was manly enough to set aside his pride to protect his nation. He would be a true king.
I would recommend this to all my classmates. This was one of my favorite reads because it was interesting and sophisticated. The characters developed plans and strategies and you get to read about and see the characters pull off. Lance Conrad is a great author because he describes situations very good and you feel as if you are witnessing a story firsthand with The Historian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
In truth I might still recommend this book to my friends just because it is part of the historian tales collection. I just felt like the storyline of this book went by a little lower than the rest. I did like how near the beginning, Simeon, a military leader, had been asking The Historian who he was and what he was doing. In response, The Historian had responded to Simeon's question by responding with a response that is clearly the same as saying, "I don't know". Overall, it had a great storyline but just moved along a bit slower than I would like. I would recommend this book to others, but only because it is part of a collection of tales.
October 22, 2017
This book is a really good book. It's full of plot-twists and you never know what's going to happen next. The book is different. It's narrated by someone that is there in the story yet they are not part of the story. The historian himself is a mystery. The story is filled with fun great characters that you can't help but love. The story has so many messages and things to learn from it. This is one of my favorite books and it's a great read for teens.
July 20, 2020
This one has been on my list for years. This book had me hooked from the get go. There were plenty of one-liners that stood out to me that just seemed to ring true. I love the idea of the Historian. I can see similarities between the Historian and Conrad’s Word of the Day YouTube channel. It was a wonderful way to weave them all together. Whether or not it was done o purpose, I have no idea, but I still loved it.
January 13, 2022
Once again, Lance Conrad spins a wonderful tale. The action and intrigue carries me along, but the personal growth and human interest provides depth and weight to the narrative. I love how he explores real human with strengths (and limitations) while calling forth the most noble and virtuous parts of my character. After all ...
This is a story about you.
This is a story about you.
July 16, 2018
Not as impressive and the first book. I got a little bored. The Historian watches as a group of men try to train the King to take his Kingdom back. No twists or surprises. Still love the musings though.
June 24, 2020
Lance Contad's books always give me something to think about, though sometimes that's a bit disturbing! He has interesting ideas in his alternate worlds.
May 21, 2025
Another great story! I love how Conrad creates such different societies in each book. It’s impressive to read long series with deeply developed societies, but it’s a different type of impressive to create a bunch of different societies with a lot of detail for just one book. The historian is a great character and the only constant. His only job is to give us a window into different lives and characters.
March 2, 2017
This was a really cool book. The whole idea of it was new, and it worked way better than I thought it would. When I started reading it, I didn't think that it would be all that great. But it turned out to be amazing. It was good enough for me to want to read the rest of the books as well. It was put together really well. The character were also pretty cool. Good job Lance.
February 9, 2018
I thought this book was great! i would recommend it to anyone who is in to wars. honestly this book was amazing!
August 4, 2014
This is the Second book in The Historian series. You learn more about The Historian in this book and what drives him, but there is still a lot of mystery surrounding him. I really liked the idea in the first book but the second was not as unique. Still it was an easy fun read and I would recommend that if you read the first to read the second book. Good for people who like YA, short books, easy reads, and fantasy that doesn't involve the current vampire trend.
The Historian finds himself in a land where a Boy Kings kingdom is being threatened. The kingdom is weak and the enemy is biding their time for the perfect attack. The Child King knows nothing of being a virtuous and competent King and is spoiled an manipulated by his advisers for their own advancement and wealth. A noble captian of the guard makes a tresonus decision to kidnap the king and teach him to be a better leader and man. He enlists his brother and an outlaw, who is notorious for death and destruction to anything that is in his path and is feared by everyone, to help.
The Historian finds himself in a land where a Boy Kings kingdom is being threatened. The kingdom is weak and the enemy is biding their time for the perfect attack. The Child King knows nothing of being a virtuous and competent King and is spoiled an manipulated by his advisers for their own advancement and wealth. A noble captian of the guard makes a tresonus decision to kidnap the king and teach him to be a better leader and man. He enlists his brother and an outlaw, who is notorious for death and destruction to anything that is in his path and is feared by everyone, to help.
July 25, 2014
Few authors can take a seemingly generic storyline and turn it on its head to create a page turning, adventure.
It is difficult for me to pick a favorite character. I would like to think I am more like Simeon, who sees the world in black and white and doesn't compromise his values and beliefs despite a kingdom crumbling around him. His strategic methods of warfare left me rooting for him the entire time.
I loved Asher's and King Tibian's chemistry. Two (extremely) extreme opposites who teach and learn from each other but are just plain awesome (especially Asher as long as I don't think about his warring methods).
Improvements: while the last fight scene between head honcho #1 and head honcho #2 surprised me, I could see betrayal coming a long way off. Also, I would have loved to see Asher go out in a more vivid/descriptive way (purposely left vague for those who have not read the book).
Easily on par with the other books I have read and yet so different at the same time. I loved it!
It is difficult for me to pick a favorite character. I would like to think I am more like Simeon, who sees the world in black and white and doesn't compromise his values and beliefs despite a kingdom crumbling around him. His strategic methods of warfare left me rooting for him the entire time.
I loved Asher's and King Tibian's chemistry. Two (extremely) extreme opposites who teach and learn from each other but are just plain awesome (especially Asher as long as I don't think about his warring methods).
Improvements: while the last fight scene between head honcho #1 and head honcho #2 surprised me, I could see betrayal coming a long way off. Also, I would have loved to see Asher go out in a more vivid/descriptive way (purposely left vague for those who have not read the book).
Easily on par with the other books I have read and yet so different at the same time. I loved it!
October 20, 2015
I love this book! I actually read this one first, and it is still my favorite out of all the books Lance has written. This book is very difficult for me to put down. The story is very intriguing and I love the journey through it. It's very brilliantly written.
February 23, 2016
The price of nobility by lance Conrad is an action packed story about fixing a king so that the kingdom is no longer completely slums. Even though it is a bit confusing at times all is explained at the end of the book. It turns from a slower paced story to a action book. The king is pampered kid who is a terrible king he increased taxes and prices so him and his inner circle could eat well and be rich while his kingdom starved. This is really well written the most interesting part is watching the king slowly change through out the book. This is a very interesting action book with good story all the way through.
July 29, 2016
I truly enjoyed this book! It was quite interesting and surprising to me; even educational.
I felt a lot more empathy for the characters in this book than the first book in the series.
The ending was quite good, though a little sad too. Lance has come up with some pretty impressive twist endings because I really did not see this one coming, and I've usually been able to predict the endings of most books in this genre that I've read; even ones by much more well known authors.
This one . . . Nope. It was pretty great.
I felt a lot more empathy for the characters in this book than the first book in the series.
The ending was quite good, though a little sad too. Lance has come up with some pretty impressive twist endings because I really did not see this one coming, and I've usually been able to predict the endings of most books in this genre that I've read; even ones by much more well known authors.
This one . . . Nope. It was pretty great.
April 7, 2018
The Price of Nobility is a great book and it has a lot of cool parts like learning skills, Gholost humor and pain. my favorite part is on page 65 were it is said by the Historian "He reached over and picked up the potato he had discarded. He rubbed it on the sleeve of his shirt like he was polishing an apple. He kept at, hoping it would improve the appearance if it were cleaner. It was a lost cause." I really like this book because of action and Gholost.
June 25, 2015
I couldn't wait to start the second book with the historian. This book was just as fantastic as the first. Lance Conrad has an amazing talent for drawing you in. I read all the time, and I've only ever read one other author that held my attention. Though the writing is different, these books are right next to all the books Dean Koontz has ever written on my bookshelf!
January 27, 2017
WONDERFUL! Okay, so the first page was rather slow/confusing, but it quickly become an outstanding read. Can't wait to share it with some of my grandchildren. Wisdom, loyalty, courage, adventure, and so much more await the reader.
January 9, 2015
Love the book and I need the rest of the series as soon as possible
January 11, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. Thought I had the whole story figured out at the halfway point and then was surprised by the conclusion.
August 2, 2016
I thought this book was really good, all the characters were believable and well developed. I think this was one of the most original books I've read in a while
December 13, 2020
4.25 stars
May 1, 2017
This book cannot simply be explained. I cannot find the words to explain the amazing feelings and thoughts I have experienced. The Historian is pretty cool, his name is unknown. I love the mystery this brings to the book. He makes people give him magic. He wants to kill everyone in cold blood. This book will affected me for the rest of young life. I have quit my job just so I could preach about the glory of this book. I highly recommend to anyone who loves action with a little mystery.
May 19, 2018
I really liked this book because it shows a character and how he is changed through out the book and how he interacts with other characters. This is a good book if you like medieval books.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews