Doctor Who The Planet of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks

This novelization follows the Doctor and his companion Jo Grant as they land on the hostile planet Spiridon, a world filled with poisonous plants and invisible inhabitants. While the Doctor recovers from a coma, he and a group of Thal soldiers discover a massive Dalek army hidden in suspended animation beneath the surface. The narrative details their perilous journey through underground tunnels and ice volcanoes to prevent the Daleks from awakening and launching a galactic invasion. Key moments include a daring escape up a ventilation shaft using a makeshift balloon and the selfless sacrifice of a Spiridon rebel named Wester. Ultimately, the Doctor triggers a natural disaster that floods the Dalek base with liquid ice, successfully refreezing the enemy forces. The story concludes with the Thal survivors reclaiming a spaceship to return home while the Doctor and Jo depart for Earth.