Doctor Who: Autumn Mist

Eighth Doctor Adventures #24

by David A. McIntee

The Ardennes, December 1944: the Nazi forces are making their last offensive in Europe -- a campaign that will come to be called the Battle of the Bulge. But there is a third side to this battle -- an unknown and ancient force that seems to pay little head to the forces of nature. Where do the bodies of the dead disappear to? What is the true nature of the military experiments conducted by both sides?

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Ebooks

236 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 5, 1999

About the author

David A. McIntee was a British author who specialised in writing spin-offs and nonfiction commentaries for Doctor Who and other British and American science-fiction franchises.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

The TARDIS takes The Doctor, Sam and Fitz to The Ardennes during December 1944. As the Germans last offensive campaign during the Second World War.

There’s some great character development as the TARDIS team are separated. Even though the ancient force that is interfering with the events is a Doctor Who staple, it’s the horrors of war and how the companions are effected is the main theme of the book.

This was a relatively short read, there were some great moments of dialogue. It did feel more like a ‘filler’ story before the two book epic Interference.

Reading these now I did find Sam asking The Doctor if he could regenerate into a woman even more fascinating.
Annoyingly he never gave a straightforward answer!

[Gareth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rare Eighth Doctor book from David A. McIntee (usually found writing for past Doctors instead), this is a good mix of historical conflict and SF/fantasy, as elves are ensnared in the Battle of the Bulge. There’s some good writing here, particularly McIntee’s reliable grip on conveying action, and it’s a great showcase for Fitz as a companion, putting his improvisational skills to good use as a pretend German soldier.

Where the book falls down is the story, which isn’t quite as clear or dynamic as it could have been — are the elves really all that bothered by what’s happening? — and especially the handling of Sam. The character was close to the end of her tenure; she dices with death yet again and puts the Doctor through the emotional turmoil of losing her for the third time in a row. It’s all just diminishing returns at this point. Then the book ends with a very dramatic announcement about Sam’s future that doesn’t particularly follow on from what you’ve just read and feels like someone else wrote it. (Which is what happened: the editor, Steve Cole, did that bit.)

I liked the character writing for the Doctor, Fitz and Sam enough to be sad that McIntee didn’t do more, but the book is nevertheless a mixed bag.

[Macey · Rating 4 out of 5]

forgor to add this when i started it but yup another good one. author clearly knows a lot abt wwii which i dont usually enjoy but they didnt drag out the misery too much in a boring way so that was good. also there were multidimensional elves i liked the elves

[Hidekisohma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was honestly not looking forward to this one. i saw who the author was and the only other book i ready by this guy was "The Eleventh Tiger" which was one of the only doctor who books i ever gave a 1 star to. (the others being Seeing I, Invasion of the Cat People, and Vanderdeken's Children) and also seeing it was ANOTHER world war two story, i was rather less than excited.

Was it as bad as his other one? Actually...nah. Was it anywhere near good?.... meh?

This story is essentially, Doc, Sam, and Fitz end up in World war two and get embroiled in a WW2 battle and get separated and end up with different groups. they don't reconnect until like 3/4 of the way through the book so get used to three groups of people dealing with the war.

Also there's weird sci-fi shenanigans as per usual which is causing havoc with the war. and no, they're not interesting sci-fi shenanigans.

This book is just... meh. That's what i would say about this book. It's just meh. The characters are all in character and the Doc's in his usual "worried about Sam" state while Fitz is off taking care of himself.

This story falls into the standard "yep...this is another standard adventure" category. The only thing even remotely worth of note about this book is the fact that this is the final wacky adventure with Sam as we know that she will be leaving in the next two parter "Interference". And honestly, i couldn't be happier. This was the thing i was most excited about when reading this book. Just knowing that once i finish Autumn mist, I get to get into the two parter when Sam finally leaves.

Sam truly overstayed her welcome. 24 books is WAY too much for this character. I feel like i would have had a better time with her if she left during Seeing I. Bringing her back into the fold for another ~10 books was way too much. She did a Clara and overstayed. It's sad that the only true joy i had from this book was realizing "just make it through this book and you don't ever have to see her again after the next two parter"

The book in itself is entirely forgettable. WW2 and interdimensional aliens. Minus the last 2 pages, if you removed this book from the series, you wouldn't even know you missed anything. It seems i'm not alone though as by far and large the average rating on this book is a 3/5 and yeah... that's kind of exactly where i would put it. Not good, not bad, but serviceable.

Of course since it's WW2 there's gross war violence and the like and i wasn't really on board with that. I'm TIRED of WW2 and doctor who. we get it. you guys were brave and awesome in WW2 England. we get it. you don't need to have 15 DW stories about it. move on.

The side characters were all stereotypes and several of them had big red death flags that hung over them like this was a cheesy 80's cop movie. they got mixed in my brain so when one died i was like "Wait, which guy was that?"

The book was mercifully short (only about 235 pages) and the language wasn't painful like a Jim Mortimore or Daniel O Mahoney, so at least there's that. all in all, i mean...it was fine. it was serviceable. and that's all i can really say.

So with that, i'll give Autumn mist a 2.5 rounded up to a 3.

[Alex Sarll]

When I have noted that I own a book called Autumn Mist, and made a note to read it in that season, what I do not expect is for the opening dateline to be given as 15 December 1944. That aside, it's another winner from the much-missed McIntee, who would always have been first choice for the historical in my dream season of Who. He's as sure-footed as ever in weaving his story around the real events of the Battle of the Bulge, including threading that needle where the horrors of war in general, and the atrocities committed by the SS in particular, aren't diminished or explained away by the involvement of non-human forces. Though not, in this case, strictly aliens, given the meddlers are – SPOILER! – the Good Neighbours. Who even in the wild years when Who was mostly happening offscreen, and with minimal supervision, were a rare presence, but one I usually enjoyed immensely (I still find myself a little haunted by Witchmark, and do a little misting up of my own if I think too hard about the end of Shadows Of Avalon). And there's something eerily prescient about Titania, in between making her own play for the sexiest Doctor, telling him "There are many who claim Lordship over Time, but only one who behaves like a true lord. Someday you'll make someone a fine husband." And when you think that, apart from anything else, one of those marriages far in his future would be to the inspiration for Spenser's Faerie Queene... Plus, for bonus Fortean points – the Philadelphia Experiment! If I have a quibble, it's that the book never really shifts my sense, which admittedly may be born from my gappy reading of the early EDAs*, that Sam Jones was a companion as generic as her name, perfectly cheery company but without anything much distinctive about her, and even if I didn't know she survived this book I can't believe I would have been convinced for a moment by her apparent demise early-ish in this story. Fitz, on the other hand, remains one of the greats, torn between the chance to live out his schoolboy war film daydreams, and the entirely sensible desire to be someone where he's comfier, less at risk of getting killed any moment, and finally able to have a fag.

*Which said, this one slots in between the bonkers, brilliant Unnatural History and the doubly so Interference, meaning I really ought to have got to it sooner.

[Michel Siskoid Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things Doctor Who writer David McIntee is usually good at: Pseudo-historical adventures. Genre emulation. Describing action set pieces. Autumn Mist (EDA #24) takes place within actual events that occurred during World War II, in 1944, and it certainly has those great action beats, and therefore might be called war film emulation. To make it a PSEUDO-historical, you need a fantastical or alien element, and I'm intrigued by his bringing the land of faerie into it, as a world out of phase with ours, reacting to the destruction of the natural world in Europe at this time. And as a Shakespeare fan, I do find it cool for the Doctor to interact with the likes of Oberon and Titania. Unfortunately, the novel is too short to really give this idea room to breathe, and McIntee is perhaps strapped with other elements by editorial. Elements like looping back to an earlier EDA (but NOT the EDA that really needs closure, Revolution Man), but it not really having much of an effect on the story. Elements like catering to Sam Jones' incipient departure, which comes out of nowhere, frankly (I will continue to maintains he should have exited in the previous book). In the rush to get to the end and pay everything off, the wide cast introduced in the first 100 pages gets sort of lost and missed opportunities (like having the Sidhe actually make good on their promise to the Doctor re: some of the characters) look very obvious. I rate McIntee, but he's been known to disappoint me. Mildly, in this case.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine, but ultimately forgettable installment in the EDAs. We're back in WWII era *again* and there's a weird mist on the battlefield that is taking bodies, transporting soldiers and causing all kinds of supernatural mischief. The alien race is elf-like, which you would think would lead to a much more interesting story. Sadly, it doesn't, and most of the book is historical-war-type fiction and battles. Sam gets whisked away by the mist elf people and we do learn a bit more about their world, but it comes across as too techn0-babbly to truly understand. There's lots of war violence, so if that's not your jam I'd encourage you to skip this one. Fitz does do quite a bit here so there's that- he doesn't often get to be a major part of the story. There's a lot of characters to keep track of, and I often confused them for one another. The villain's motive is convoluted and uninspiring. There are a few shining moments; one where the Doctor references River/Iris (let's be fair, they're the same person) and a plot point involving the disappearance of the USS Eldridge which history buffs will love. The Doctor is rather heavily involved in the plot, unlike some books where he plays second fiddle to the passing side characters.
Otherwise, this EDA is serviceable but ultimately not fantastic.

[Danny Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

David A. McIntee is a Doctor Who writer who I'm quite fond of, he's known for writing stories either with a heavy amount of fanwank or solid historical epics, either way, you are bound to have a fun time reading his work even when he's not firing on cylinders.

The Tardis arrives back on Earth in the Ardennes before the end of WW2. The Americans are fighting against the Nazis and blood stains the snowy wastelands. But their traitors on either side of the conflict are working on a top-secret project that could tear reality apart. Sam and Fitz are about to discover where the old tales of changelings and elves originated.

David A. McIntee has written a WW2 story that is atmospheric, chilling, and violent. The historical elements of this novel are the stronger aspects of this story, the sci-fi elements are fun but are underutilized and the ending is a little rushed. The world-building is solid, the atmosphere and violence are well-realized and the characters are decent. The villain of this story is odd and only comes into the story halfway through, so they don't get enough time to be developed or well realized.

Overall: There isn't much to say about this novel, it's a fun read with mostly good pacing and a terrific atmosphere. 7/10

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

1944年第二次世界大戦最中のドイツに到着したターディス。橋の上に着地したため、ドクター、フィズ、サムが外に散策に出かけた途端、爆撃に巻き込まれ、橋が崩れターディスが川に落下してしまう。さらにもバラバラにはぐれてしまう。ア���リカ軍と合流したドクターはフィズとサムの行方をきにしながらも怪我人治療の手伝いをする。フィズはドイツ軍にまぎれこみ、サムはアメリカ軍に救出されるの再びドイツ軍の攻撃にあい、殺されてしまう。


地球に昔から存在する種族Sidheの秩序を司る女王と混沌を司る女王と対になるOberon。戦争にOberonが深く関わったたため、Sedin自身の世界も危機に見舞われ、ドクターはSedinの世界を崩壊から救うため、女王を助ける。

ドクターは影を失ったままで、フィクション・パラドックスの影響はじわじわと出始めている。
サムはSedinに救われるが、すべての問題が解決するとドクターにターディスを降り、普通の生活に戻るという。

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a surprisingly large amount of content packed into this compact little novel. It's a dark, adrenaline fueled character piece that sets the stage for the departure of 8th Doctor companion Samantha Jones, while offering a WW2/faerie world mash-up that is suitably unnerving. I find this to be a particularly under-rated & under-valued addition to the 8th Doctor line of BBC novels.

[emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have been a very good historical - clearly knows a lot about WWII - but there were far too many POV characters and the one off characters were hardly developed. Nice to see some development from Sam.

[Numa Parrott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that one was a downer.
There were some good Doctor quotes, but he played a very passive role in the story. The main characters were the WW2 soldiers, and although they were very interesting characters, they weren't particularly likable in any way. And then *******spoiler******(sort of)****almost all of them die.
A better description for the cover might have been "Bad things happen to soldiers who then analyze their reactions about all the bad things that are happening to them."

Sam and Fitz have some important character development moments though, so I'd suggest that you read it anyway if you're worried about continuity.

The Doctor makes an attempt to explain how he was 'half-human' as the eighth Doctor, but not during any other regeneration. Seems legit. Legit enough for Doctor Who, anyway. I love how they can just explain away any inconsistencies with something as simple as 'wibbly wobbly timey wimey,' or 'my biodata changes.'

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1843279...

The very first Who story set in my adopted country, an Eighth Doctor Adventure published in 1999 and set during the Battle of the Bulge around Bastogne. Though to be honest there's not much Belgian about it apart from the weather and the landscape; the extra characters are mainly German and American soldiers, and the rulers of the otherworldly realm reached by Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night's Dream and which is threatening to leak into our world here. So it's an interesting Whovian treatment of what I now recognise as a classic fantasy trope, but also an important moment in the character development of poor Sam who has been put through a lot in the last few Eighth Doctor novels and understandably now just wants to go home.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice blend of history and sci-fi, as the Tardis crew lands during WW2 and deals with something that might be aliens, but might be fairies.

David McIntee is one of the best Who writers and this one of his strongest books. A good setting, interesting bad guy and a strong handle on the personalities of the Doctor and his companions.

He can even make Sam into an interesting character, that's how good the guy is.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Doctor, Sam and Fitz land in the middle of a battle in WW 2, that's taking place in a series of towns. Something else is involved that is causing hallucinations and stealing dead bodies. This is another downer of a book with violence and despair. The companions, especially Sam are really put through the ringer again. The concept of the aliens is clever, and I liked the way they view the Doctor. A good read.

[Suzanne]

'It is sad when you loose someone, but even sadder when you can't even feel loss anymore' to paraphrase the Doctors line. And I think that is what this book was leading us up to. We've lost Sam too many times in past books, that we no longer feel the loss; and she's not even gone, another cry of wolf. But, I still keep reading. I guess I'm just addicted.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3 1/2 stars
I enjoyed the development of Fitz into a stronger character, even though it's obviously because we're going to lose Sam soon, and the interaction between the soldiers was brilliantly written

[Simon Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second World War. Should have loved it, just liked it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12258920