What do you think?
Rate this book
What's In A Name?: Tales of the Lost Horizon
A quest borne of a feckless promise! A troop of elf rangers must outsmart the dangers that lurk deep in the heart of Thunderer to make good the King's wedding commitment to his blushing bride. Armed with mystical knowledge, they face a danger that has bedeviled the most intrepid of adventurers for centuries!This action packed short story will leave you wondering what's in a name?
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2015
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Michael Eging
7 books50 followersMike has wanted to write since he was very young. His earliest memories are of carrying a battered old notebook around full of illustrations and stories. He would often transpose those ideas on his grandmother's old typewriter.
While in college, he was inspired by professors and visiting writers to BYU. Literary classics such as Song of Roland and Inferno were often in his backpack, along with Russian textbooks. Chapter 3 of Annwyn's Blood was written during this time as a short story.
Mike works in Washington, DC since pursuing graduate studies in Russian History. He focuses in domestic policy issues.
Recently, Mike has pursued an interest in writing screenplays for feature films with his first option being a medieval epic, Song of Roland. He continues to focus on a variety of script/movie projects, most recently a horror thriller, Feast of Saint Nicholas, and a political thriller, The Prince. He is a partner at Filibuster Filmworks, LLC.
He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Lori and his wonderful children. He dreams of one day driving in his old Defender to Alaska with his kids and their dog, Marlin.
While in college, he was inspired by professors and visiting writers to BYU. Literary classics such as Song of Roland and Inferno were often in his backpack, along with Russian textbooks. Chapter 3 of Annwyn's Blood was written during this time as a short story.
Mike works in Washington, DC since pursuing graduate studies in Russian History. He focuses in domestic policy issues.
Recently, Mike has pursued an interest in writing screenplays for feature films with his first option being a medieval epic, Song of Roland. He continues to focus on a variety of script/movie projects, most recently a horror thriller, Feast of Saint Nicholas, and a political thriller, The Prince. He is a partner at Filibuster Filmworks, LLC.
He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Lori and his wonderful children. He dreams of one day driving in his old Defender to Alaska with his kids and their dog, Marlin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 8, 2017
It seems like we get most of the plot as a very compact back story and focus on the final chapter or two. It also seems as if the author wants to cram many elements of epic fantasy in, and shifts from a parody of the genre to the real thing. What we get is a pot-pourri of The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Ursula K. LeGuin, Clash of the Titans and maybe a dash of Monty Python. It's quite a feat to pull off, and Eging does quite a good job. I think however, that this short story should have been a novel, so that the author would have had more room for scene changes, world building and character development.
April 4, 2015
Michael Eging has written a gem – or should I say treasure? -- of a story filled with adventure and fantasy not unlike tales of yore from some of the greats.
A hearty band of elves led by Vondrall must confront the dangers lurking in the bowels of Thunderer Mountain to fulfill their king’s ill-advised promise to bring back a treasured gift. To achieve their quest, they must defeat the dragon whose only vulnerability lies in its name and stave off greedy rivals from the human realm. Can Vondrall and his band claim the dragon’s treasure and live to tell about it? The answer to this secret lies in the pages of Eging’s epic short story.
I very much enjoyed this short read. The story is rich in imagery and has a fair bit of humor. It’s a legend that would fit in well into his forthcoming “Song of Roland” fantasy series. It kindled my interest in reading more from the Lost Horizon and tales of Thunderer. I give this story five stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy.
A hearty band of elves led by Vondrall must confront the dangers lurking in the bowels of Thunderer Mountain to fulfill their king’s ill-advised promise to bring back a treasured gift. To achieve their quest, they must defeat the dragon whose only vulnerability lies in its name and stave off greedy rivals from the human realm. Can Vondrall and his band claim the dragon’s treasure and live to tell about it? The answer to this secret lies in the pages of Eging’s epic short story.
I very much enjoyed this short read. The story is rich in imagery and has a fair bit of humor. It’s a legend that would fit in well into his forthcoming “Song of Roland” fantasy series. It kindled my interest in reading more from the Lost Horizon and tales of Thunderer. I give this story five stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy.
March 22, 2015
For a short story this book has an amazing tale. In the time of dragons a group of elves and a group of men converge on the dragon's lair in search of treasure and secrets all they need is the dragon's name to unlock those things, or do they? Well written story that is compelling and interesting.
July 6, 2015
Great short read. The fantasy tale will bring you to another place, the descriptions were so real! If you like fantasy, dragons and adventure you should check out this treasure!
September 2, 2015
Well-written short story that leaves you wanting more. Imaginative, exciting, with lots of action. Reminded me some of Tolkien's work. Would love to see it expanded into at least novella size.
March 15, 2017
An epic short story!! Outstanding! ~
This is a rich short of epic proportions and a great allegory to boot! Swept me along, breathless. Enjoyed the quest. Enjoyed the depth! Don't want to give anything away but there was one character who definitely did not know that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall... Loved it!
This is a rich short of epic proportions and a great allegory to boot! Swept me along, breathless. Enjoyed the quest. Enjoyed the depth! Don't want to give anything away but there was one character who definitely did not know that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall... Loved it!
November 30, 2015
I found reading What’s in a Name? to be a surprising, dark, and not-too-short fantasy short-story that packs a punch.
An intrepid company of elves led by Commander Vondrall must venture towards the volcanic Thunderer peak, where a dragon lies, to make good the King’s wedding commitment to his blushing bride. There are riches, treasure, and secrets there, but what exactly are they after? Armed with a dragon scale and a spell, they fancy their chances, but a rival company of men is similarly equipped and is covetously intent on securing the treasure. For Vondrall and his elves, the quest will not be as easy or simple as he foolishly assumes.
Good descriptive imagery that brought the action to life, especially in the dragon’s lair, but equally with the dark monstrous elements that surface later. It was juicy and chilling darkness that really shows the author’s strength in this area, and had me transfixed. I liked the way a set of old ideas was reshaped into something that read new as well: a dragon cursed by his own name by an ancient elven warrior. I would compare it to Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Beowulf.
Criticism: the pacing in the first half was a touch too fast for me and it was difficult to decipher which group was doing what and for what reason, and even who the main elven character was. Upon reaching the dragon’s lair, it redeemed itself and showed some exceptional writing.
An intrepid company of elves led by Commander Vondrall must venture towards the volcanic Thunderer peak, where a dragon lies, to make good the King’s wedding commitment to his blushing bride. There are riches, treasure, and secrets there, but what exactly are they after? Armed with a dragon scale and a spell, they fancy their chances, but a rival company of men is similarly equipped and is covetously intent on securing the treasure. For Vondrall and his elves, the quest will not be as easy or simple as he foolishly assumes.
Good descriptive imagery that brought the action to life, especially in the dragon’s lair, but equally with the dark monstrous elements that surface later. It was juicy and chilling darkness that really shows the author’s strength in this area, and had me transfixed. I liked the way a set of old ideas was reshaped into something that read new as well: a dragon cursed by his own name by an ancient elven warrior. I would compare it to Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Beowulf.
Criticism: the pacing in the first half was a touch too fast for me and it was difficult to decipher which group was doing what and for what reason, and even who the main elven character was. Upon reaching the dragon’s lair, it redeemed itself and showed some exceptional writing.
February 16, 2018
Michael Eging created an epic fantasy condensed into a short story. The story follows the remaining six Royal Scouts who started their quest at the Elvin Home of the Milvin Eagles numbering thirty-five. The book quickly uncovers the devastation suffered by the bedraggled group at the hand of the orcs, goblins, and humans.f
Vondrall, the leader of the group, is heroic in leading his men toward the Orb of Solomnai as a gift requested by the King's betrothed. I found it confusing that the story didn't delve more deeply into the woman's true motivations for putting so many lives at risk.
As Vondrall's group nears the peak of Thunderer Mountain, they encounter the human armored column riding under the Banner of Santrop, King of Solorent. The challenge of the serpent guarding the orb is intensified by the threat of the humans.
I enjoyed the story, but because of the epic proportions of the story, came away wishing I'd been able to delve more closely into the character traits and underlying motives of the primary characters.
Vondrall, the leader of the group, is heroic in leading his men toward the Orb of Solomnai as a gift requested by the King's betrothed. I found it confusing that the story didn't delve more deeply into the woman's true motivations for putting so many lives at risk.
As Vondrall's group nears the peak of Thunderer Mountain, they encounter the human armored column riding under the Banner of Santrop, King of Solorent. The challenge of the serpent guarding the orb is intensified by the threat of the humans.
I enjoyed the story, but because of the epic proportions of the story, came away wishing I'd been able to delve more closely into the character traits and underlying motives of the primary characters.
Read
February 16, 2017This was an action filled short story, of a raging world, unseen, or of a world at the edge of our world, beyond the limits of the Earth. A mythical world where events take place, that if they took place in our real world, would be the end of it.
The elves go on an expedition to find and bring back, from the bowel of the Earth, an object which will bring peace and stability to the world of the elves. An expedition of no return one could say. The dangers were many, and lives were lost, but we know how these things end. With the intervention of the gods, the quest always manages to end not the way we mortals envisage it.
The story was well told, and although short, it was riveting. I enjoyed it.
The elves go on an expedition to find and bring back, from the bowel of the Earth, an object which will bring peace and stability to the world of the elves. An expedition of no return one could say. The dangers were many, and lives were lost, but we know how these things end. With the intervention of the gods, the quest always manages to end not the way we mortals envisage it.
The story was well told, and although short, it was riveting. I enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2020
Michael Eging wows us with an actiony tale set in an imaginative fantasy world in What’s in a Name?: Tales from the Lost Horizon! A group of elven rangers are sent into the treacherous wilderness of Mount Thunderer to fulfil a king’s request. Eging captures all the excitement, beautiful description, and in depth lore that I love from classics like Lord of the Rings and The Forgotten Realms! This one’s short and sweet, and if you love fantasy definitely take a climb on the dangerous peak of Thunderer!
November 23, 2016
Short but action packed.
This short story was a thrill packed quest tale. Filled with elves, cocky humans and a devilish dragon that has no honor. Great mini fantasy adventure.
This short story was a thrill packed quest tale. Filled with elves, cocky humans and a devilish dragon that has no honor. Great mini fantasy adventure.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews