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Doctor Who: Quick Reads #1
Doctor Who: I Am a Dalek
Equipped with space suits, golf clubs and a flag, the Doctor and Rose are planning to live it up, Apollo mission-style, on the Moon. But the TARDIS has other plans, landing them instead in a village on the south coast of England; a picture-postcard sort of place where nothing much happens. Until now... An archaeological dig has turned up a Roman mosaic, circa 70 A.D., depicting mythical scenes, grapes - and a Dalek. A few days later a young woman, rushing for work, is knocked over and killed by a bus, then comes back to life. It's not long before all hell breaks loose, and the Doctor and Rose must use all their courage and cunning against an alien enemy - and a not-quite-alien accomplice - who are intent on destroying humanity.
105 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2006
27 people are currently reading
1629 people want to read
About the author
Gareth Roberts
73 books109 followersGareth Roberts has written TV scripts for various soap operas (including Brookeside, Springhill, and Emmerdale), Randall & Hopkirk (deceased), the revival of Doctor Who, the Sarah Jane Adventures, and Wizards vs Aliens.
Also for the Doctor Who universe, he has written the interactive adventure Attack of the Graske, the mobile phone TARDISODEs accompanying the 2006 series, several Big Finish audios, and multiple novels, as well as contributed to Doctor Who Magazine.
Also for the Doctor Who universe, he has written the interactive adventure Attack of the Graske, the mobile phone TARDISODEs accompanying the 2006 series, several Big Finish audios, and multiple novels, as well as contributed to Doctor Who Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
January 6, 2016
A quick awesome read with Daleks!!!
WHO
The Doctor:
The Tenth Doctor
Companion:
Rose Tyler
WHERE & WHEN
England, 2006
WHAT
The Tenth Doctor plans to take Rose to the Moon (Earth’s moon) and fooling around a bit, like planting a Women’s Institute flag in some non-explored area to give a shock for future astronauts. Rose is excited since she will become the first woman in the Moon. Both of them are already in full space suits with oxigen tanks, helmets, all the deal...
...However, the TARDIS has other plans...
...and they land in a cute little seaside town in England.
Didn’t catch your name.
Just the Doctor. The. Doctor.
The Doctor and Rose are awkwardly, standing in the middle of a pub, fully dressed with space suits, wondering what the heck happened. The Doctor goes back to the TARDIS to check out what happened and suddenly...
...the TARDIS dissapeared with the Doctor aboard...
...but leaving Rose behind, in the pub, in full space suit.
It’s all that’s left of the most terrifying thing in the universe.
The Doctor meets Frank Openshaw, an arqueologist who is working in a nearby digging site, where certain familiar salt shaker-like metallic thing appears to be buried there.
Due a Roman Empire’s mosaic, on the site, picturing the inert Dalek, it seems that it has been there since 70 AD.
There’s an old saying... dates from about 4000: Never turn your back on a dead Dalek.
Meanwhile, Rose, after pulling off the now-useless space suit. She meets Kate Yates, a young woman, under unusual circumstances and one thing is clear...
...they need The Doctor!
Those are just humans. Any passing evil being from space can have a go at them. That’s easy.
As a trivia fact, this is the first time that the regeneration of the Tenth Doctor has to deal with the Daleks, before than any TV episode or Prose novels, using this particular Doctor.
This is an exciting quick reading where The Tenth Doctor and Rose have to face a familiar deadly cunning threat with an unexpected complication, with the future of Earth at risk.
A charming reading showing the value of getting to know the relevant elements in the life of others and how priceless is when The Doctor considers you as a friend.
WHO
The Doctor:
The Tenth Doctor
Companion:
Rose Tyler
WHERE & WHEN
England, 2006
WHAT
The Tenth Doctor plans to take Rose to the Moon (Earth’s moon) and fooling around a bit, like planting a Women’s Institute flag in some non-explored area to give a shock for future astronauts. Rose is excited since she will become the first woman in the Moon. Both of them are already in full space suits with oxigen tanks, helmets, all the deal...
...However, the TARDIS has other plans...
...and they land in a cute little seaside town in England.
Didn’t catch your name.
Just the Doctor. The. Doctor.
The Doctor and Rose are awkwardly, standing in the middle of a pub, fully dressed with space suits, wondering what the heck happened. The Doctor goes back to the TARDIS to check out what happened and suddenly...
...the TARDIS dissapeared with the Doctor aboard...
...but leaving Rose behind, in the pub, in full space suit.
It’s all that’s left of the most terrifying thing in the universe.
The Doctor meets Frank Openshaw, an arqueologist who is working in a nearby digging site, where certain familiar salt shaker-like metallic thing appears to be buried there.
Due a Roman Empire’s mosaic, on the site, picturing the inert Dalek, it seems that it has been there since 70 AD.
There’s an old saying... dates from about 4000: Never turn your back on a dead Dalek.
Meanwhile, Rose, after pulling off the now-useless space suit. She meets Kate Yates, a young woman, under unusual circumstances and one thing is clear...
...they need The Doctor!
Those are just humans. Any passing evil being from space can have a go at them. That’s easy.
As a trivia fact, this is the first time that the regeneration of the Tenth Doctor has to deal with the Daleks, before than any TV episode or Prose novels, using this particular Doctor.
This is an exciting quick reading where The Tenth Doctor and Rose have to face a familiar deadly cunning threat with an unexpected complication, with the future of Earth at risk.
A charming reading showing the value of getting to know the relevant elements in the life of others and how priceless is when The Doctor considers you as a friend.
August 18, 2022
During an excavation a Roman mosaic is found. Pictured on that mosaic: a Dalek. A little while later, Rose notices a woman rushing to work. The woman gets run over by a bus and dies right in front of Rose. Then the woman just stands back up and casually walks away.
I think it’s incredibly hard for the writers of these quick reads to create a solid Doctor Who adventure with such a short amount of words. But this novella actually does manage to do just that. And quite brilliantly to boot. This story takes a little bit of inspiration from the incredible episode Dalek. Keeping the story so simple and focused on a lone Dalek once again works like a charm here.
The writer clearly knows what he’s doing in terms of characters in Doctor Who. The tenth doctor is used well, facing off against the Dalek. The Dalek is weakened and the Doctor clearly establishes the threat the Daleks pose as a race by being both scared and merciless in trying to finish this lone Dalek off, before it can get its act together. Rose as a companion is the human factor in the duo. So pairing Rose up with an infected woman who’s basically struggling between her human side and her Dalek side is just a really smart move.
There’s quite a lot of action and suspense to be found in this short book. It’s fast-paced and well written, with a simple but solid plot. And the characterizations of the doctor and Rose are a bit superficial but very much on point.
I think it’s incredibly hard for the writers of these quick reads to create a solid Doctor Who adventure with such a short amount of words. But this novella actually does manage to do just that. And quite brilliantly to boot. This story takes a little bit of inspiration from the incredible episode Dalek. Keeping the story so simple and focused on a lone Dalek once again works like a charm here.
The writer clearly knows what he’s doing in terms of characters in Doctor Who. The tenth doctor is used well, facing off against the Dalek. The Dalek is weakened and the Doctor clearly establishes the threat the Daleks pose as a race by being both scared and merciless in trying to finish this lone Dalek off, before it can get its act together. Rose as a companion is the human factor in the duo. So pairing Rose up with an infected woman who’s basically struggling between her human side and her Dalek side is just a really smart move.
There’s quite a lot of action and suspense to be found in this short book. It’s fast-paced and well written, with a simple but solid plot. And the characterizations of the doctor and Rose are a bit superficial but very much on point.
June 9, 2020
Hello. I am a nerd.
I splurged and bought ebooks during quarantine (due to library lockdown) and this was one of the lucky winners.
It was so, so good.
From the moment the Doctor and Rose jumped out of the TARDIS, they were fully in character, utterly in love (even if they don’t know it), completely hilarious, and out to save the world. This book had just the feeling of one of my favorite episodes and was written so well that I could read lines in the characters’ voices. The author did an amazing job weaving strands of story together, and I gawked a few times at particularly beautiful phrases. ;) (The milk bottle. Seriously, the MILK BOTTLE.)
I mentioned in my “pre-review” that I bawled like a baby, and I’m not exaggerating. XD I actually had a bit of a headache afterward, but I also didn’t mind. Some of my favorite episodes (and apparently books) of this show are the ones that remind me that humanity is beautiful, completely unique, and full of potential. And that little epilogue was pretty sweet, and so like the Doctor. ;)
Just a note, there was some various language through including a blasphemy, usage of b***hy, h***, and smarta**e. There were also a couple mentions of a well-endowed side character and an off-color phone conversation in the back of a scene. Since the story centers around a Dalek, there are some descriptions of violence, but the main one that could be disturbing was a car accident.
Best quotes: The Doctor turned to face her. His features were alive with wonder and excitement. Not for the first time, Rose felt it was as if he was seeing through her eyes, and she wondered if that was one of the reasons he needed somebody to travel with.
‘Yeah, it’s all the TARDIS’s fault. It’s got all these emergency systems. I turned them all off years ago. They kept going off and I couldn’t hear myself think. Must have come back on.
Altogether, this was a ton of fun. I just might have to try more by this author. ;)
I splurged and bought ebooks during quarantine (due to library lockdown) and this was one of the lucky winners.
It was so, so good.
From the moment the Doctor and Rose jumped out of the TARDIS, they were fully in character, utterly in love (even if they don’t know it), completely hilarious, and out to save the world. This book had just the feeling of one of my favorite episodes and was written so well that I could read lines in the characters’ voices. The author did an amazing job weaving strands of story together, and I gawked a few times at particularly beautiful phrases. ;) (The milk bottle. Seriously, the MILK BOTTLE.)
I mentioned in my “pre-review” that I bawled like a baby, and I’m not exaggerating. XD I actually had a bit of a headache afterward, but I also didn’t mind. Some of my favorite episodes (and apparently books) of this show are the ones that remind me that humanity is beautiful, completely unique, and full of potential. And that little epilogue was pretty sweet, and so like the Doctor. ;)
Just a note, there was some various language through including a blasphemy, usage of b***hy, h***, and smarta**e. There were also a couple mentions of a well-endowed side character and an off-color phone conversation in the back of a scene. Since the story centers around a Dalek, there are some descriptions of violence, but the main one that could be disturbing was a car accident.
Best quotes: The Doctor turned to face her. His features were alive with wonder and excitement. Not for the first time, Rose felt it was as if he was seeing through her eyes, and she wondered if that was one of the reasons he needed somebody to travel with.
‘Yeah, it’s all the TARDIS’s fault. It’s got all these emergency systems. I turned them all off years ago. They kept going off and I couldn’t hear myself think. Must have come back on.
Altogether, this was a ton of fun. I just might have to try more by this author. ;)
November 8, 2025
The 50 Prompt Eighth Doctor Reading Challenge - Historical Adventures - 27) A Story About An Archeological Dig
The Doctor and Rose are diverted from their visit to the moon and land in Twyford where a dig has just unearthed a dead Dalek. At the same time, a young woman named Kate is involved in a car accident on her way to the bus.
I really liked the idea of the Dalek factor and I imagine it to have similar reasoning to the Dalek puppets shown in the main series. I really liked how it gave the Daleks reasoning and motivation.
The plot is pretty solid and moves really quickly. The characters are easy to understand and it was a pretty good Quick Read.
The Doctor and Rose are diverted from their visit to the moon and land in Twyford where a dig has just unearthed a dead Dalek. At the same time, a young woman named Kate is involved in a car accident on her way to the bus.
I really liked the idea of the Dalek factor and I imagine it to have similar reasoning to the Dalek puppets shown in the main series. I really liked how it gave the Daleks reasoning and motivation.
The plot is pretty solid and moves really quickly. The characters are easy to understand and it was a pretty good Quick Read.
December 5, 2018
The first Doctor Who story in the ‘Quick Reads’ range.
It’s a great action packed adventure which is helped by the short page count.
A very enjoyable story.
It’s a great action packed adventure which is helped by the short page count.
A very enjoyable story.
May 30, 2019
This is a quick read book that is based on the television series. This one has the Tenth Doctor and Rose as the main characters. In this one, the Doctor and Rose arrive on present day Earth to the news that a discovery has been found in an archaeological dig. This discovery is a defunct Dalak but this still worries the Doctor.
This was a very quick read and it was enjoyable. The main idea of the book was streamlined as the author quickly established the plot without much of an explanation to some details. One expects this in these quick read books. As for the portrayals of the main characters, I believe Rose was pulled off better than the Tenth Doctor. His portrayal was a little off but not enough to be disconcerting. The highlight of this book was the final act. It was a touching final act and it shows how humans differ from the war loving race of the Daleks.
I am enjoying these quick read books from this universe including this one. I don't expect high brow literature from these offerings. I want to be brought back down memory lane with the characters and have a nice adventure in this world. This book provides that.
This was a very quick read and it was enjoyable. The main idea of the book was streamlined as the author quickly established the plot without much of an explanation to some details. One expects this in these quick read books. As for the portrayals of the main characters, I believe Rose was pulled off better than the Tenth Doctor. His portrayal was a little off but not enough to be disconcerting. The highlight of this book was the final act. It was a touching final act and it shows how humans differ from the war loving race of the Daleks.
I am enjoying these quick read books from this universe including this one. I don't expect high brow literature from these offerings. I want to be brought back down memory lane with the characters and have a nice adventure in this world. This book provides that.
October 17, 2018
I love a good Dalek story, and this one starts out pretty interesting and exciting, but it spirals into a desperation move by the end. The Doctor is pretty good and the story gives Rose a lot to do but the ending becomes somewhat predictable. The book benefits from its length which keeps it from trying to pace or pad itself out to a conclusion. It a good afternoon read if you want a Doctor Who story and want to kill some time.
February 7, 2017
Doctor Who reinvented itself in the early 2000's being centred in the City of Cardiff and using the locality for many of it's location shots. "I am a Dalek" is a young adult short story that sees the Doctor and his trusty assistant Rose once again fighting his nemesis the evil Dalek with that familiar cry "exterminate" The tardis has landed in a village in the south of England where an archaeologist dig has just uncovered, along with some ancient relics, a rusty old Dalek. There is the usual standoff with our flamboyant hero (in this instant played by the excellent David Tennat) rushing around before emerging victorious and exiting into netherspace presumably to fight his arch enemy at another time and in another dimension. This is classed as a short read and not only is it a great introduction to Doctor Who but a good teaching tool to improve and encourage reading amongst the young in a time and a world dominated by facebook and twitter....that's the real enemy Doctor not the Daleks!
October 29, 2016
This is my first Doctor who novel, and I'm glad to report that it was a quick, satisfying and pleasurable read.
The Doctor and Rose get ready for a trip to the moon but the TARDIS has other plans. She diverts them to a sleepy, old village in the UK and sure enough, there is threat to humanity lurking there, dormant.
In other words, just a typical day at work for the Doctor and his companion.
And the threat to humanity I mentioned? It's a dalek. again. I swear they are like cockroaches: impossible to exterminate completely (see what I did there?)
The plot thickens when Rose witnesses Kate, a perfectly ordinary young woman, die and come back to life instantly but with abilities. What follows is a chain of events that leads to the dalek being awakened and wreaking havoc.
In the end, it is upto the Doctor to save the day. Except....he doesn't. Not directly, anyway.
With Rose's initiative, he and Rose give Kate the necessary nudge to help the human part of her mind take over, and in the end she sends the dalek packing all by herself.
This is why I love the Doctor - he makes heroes out of ordinary people, and never fails to remind us that the everyday, mundane, human things we do and take granted for are important.
The Doctor and Rose get ready for a trip to the moon but the TARDIS has other plans. She diverts them to a sleepy, old village in the UK and sure enough, there is threat to humanity lurking there, dormant.
In other words, just a typical day at work for the Doctor and his companion.
And the threat to humanity I mentioned? It's a dalek. again. I swear they are like cockroaches: impossible to exterminate completely (see what I did there?)
The plot thickens when Rose witnesses Kate, a perfectly ordinary young woman, die and come back to life instantly but with abilities. What follows is a chain of events that leads to the dalek being awakened and wreaking havoc.
In the end, it is upto the Doctor to save the day. Except....he doesn't. Not directly, anyway.
With Rose's initiative, he and Rose give Kate the necessary nudge to help the human part of her mind take over, and in the end she sends the dalek packing all by herself.
This is why I love the Doctor - he makes heroes out of ordinary people, and never fails to remind us that the everyday, mundane, human things we do and take granted for are important.
November 1, 2023
“Rose, the moon is incredible. Everything down on Earth relies on it. Rats jump for it. Tides rush out from it. Humans kiss under it. Without it there'd be nothing down there worth the light. And that just happened by chance -trillions of odd against it- one bit of stardust meets another bit of dust.”
March 12, 2023
Do Wee Dooo OOOoooOOO.
This was a gorgeous quick comfort read that I picked-up off my shelf finally. I had this book on my To-Be-Read shelf for probably close to ten years now and it finally got dusted off and I am glad to have read the story. Going on a quick adventure with The Doctor and Rose Tyler was just what I needed this week as I had some stressful and down moments and when I get sad, I want to watch or read Doctor Who. Since Crave took Doctor Who off their platform and I was not really in the mood for Classic Doctor Who on Pluto, and to lazy to pop in one of my box sets, this was the better option. I could have finished this novel in a day but I wanted to savour it and savour it I did. I am glad I did. It made me feel like a kid again and the characters were captured down pat. It was an interesting take on Daleks and how Daleks come to be which I found it quite engrossing. To keep me wanting to read more is just what I needed as I was starting to get into a reading funk since I have both Juniper And Thorne and Fairy Tale both on the go and Stephen King's Fairy Tale was bringing me down into a slump for reading.
I don't want to say to much about the story I Am A Dalek as it is a very small book and short story and I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may choose to read it. I will say this.....you won't be disappointed and it is very enjoyable. You also don't need to know Doctor Who either.
Cheers!
This was a gorgeous quick comfort read that I picked-up off my shelf finally. I had this book on my To-Be-Read shelf for probably close to ten years now and it finally got dusted off and I am glad to have read the story. Going on a quick adventure with The Doctor and Rose Tyler was just what I needed this week as I had some stressful and down moments and when I get sad, I want to watch or read Doctor Who. Since Crave took Doctor Who off their platform and I was not really in the mood for Classic Doctor Who on Pluto, and to lazy to pop in one of my box sets, this was the better option. I could have finished this novel in a day but I wanted to savour it and savour it I did. I am glad I did. It made me feel like a kid again and the characters were captured down pat. It was an interesting take on Daleks and how Daleks come to be which I found it quite engrossing. To keep me wanting to read more is just what I needed as I was starting to get into a reading funk since I have both Juniper And Thorne and Fairy Tale both on the go and Stephen King's Fairy Tale was bringing me down into a slump for reading.
I don't want to say to much about the story I Am A Dalek as it is a very small book and short story and I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may choose to read it. I will say this.....you won't be disappointed and it is very enjoyable. You also don't need to know Doctor Who either.
Cheers!
August 28, 2021
Rose, el Doctor, la TARDIS y un Dalek!!!! No necesito más.
November 2, 2023
(Synopsis) - Equipped with space suits, golf clubs and a flag, the Doctor and Rose are planning to live it up, Apollo mission-style, on the Moon. But the TARDIS has other plans, landing them instead in a village on the south coast of England; a picture-postcard sort of place where nothing much happens. Until now... An archaeological dig has turned up a Roman mosaic, circa 70 A.D., depicting mythical scenes, grapes and a Dalek.
(Review) - This was such a treat to read, i love this idea of a "quick read" to get children to read and to be interested in the joy reading can bring, then add in Doctor who and the Daleks and you have yourself a recipe for success. Theres no taking your time, it's like reading a big finish adventure once you start your in the adventure gets going the doctor and rose find themselves in another predicament the world (aka England) is in peril and they have to save the day and they do in very epic fashion and then there off. And honestly i loved this format at 25, I'd be amazed at 8 reading this as I'd want to read more if this is what is possible in a book! And you really can't beat that experience as you all know reading this being fellow readers that a book that can ignite the brain and start a fire that longs for more stories is something very precious, so bringing Doctor who in to do this, to get kids into reading and the show was a genius move and I really can't wait to read more of these quick reads they are simply incredible, so much fun.
4/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐
95/100 GingerPoints 🔥
(Review) - This was such a treat to read, i love this idea of a "quick read" to get children to read and to be interested in the joy reading can bring, then add in Doctor who and the Daleks and you have yourself a recipe for success. Theres no taking your time, it's like reading a big finish adventure once you start your in the adventure gets going the doctor and rose find themselves in another predicament the world (aka England) is in peril and they have to save the day and they do in very epic fashion and then there off. And honestly i loved this format at 25, I'd be amazed at 8 reading this as I'd want to read more if this is what is possible in a book! And you really can't beat that experience as you all know reading this being fellow readers that a book that can ignite the brain and start a fire that longs for more stories is something very precious, so bringing Doctor who in to do this, to get kids into reading and the show was a genius move and I really can't wait to read more of these quick reads they are simply incredible, so much fun.
4/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐
95/100 GingerPoints 🔥
November 16, 2025
G*reth R*berts is arguably one of the more popular and successful Doctor Who novelists despite his hateful prejudices. His 4 and Romana VMA trilogy and 'Only Human' are incredible, but the rest of his work is very hit and miss, so you're never too sure what you're going to get with him. 'I Am a Dalek' is the first novella in the quick reads range, a series of books to help young people to read.
Hoping to go to the moon, the Doctor and Rose instead find themselves in an English village where an archaeological dig is happening. At the dig, students have uncovered the remains of an old enemy, and not far away, an unknown alien force has resurrected a woman after a car hit her. A Dalek is about to wake up, and it intends to wipe out the human race.
This story had an interesting idea, but I just couldn't get into it. 'I am a Dalek' is an incredibly flawed story that is admittedly very action-packed and tense, but it's difficult to take seriously or even get a kick out of. 10 and Rose were well-characterized, but that's the only positive I have to really say about this story.
Overall: I really don't get the love for this novella. Chris Chibnall did a much better job with this story with 'Resolution'. 2/10
Hoping to go to the moon, the Doctor and Rose instead find themselves in an English village where an archaeological dig is happening. At the dig, students have uncovered the remains of an old enemy, and not far away, an unknown alien force has resurrected a woman after a car hit her. A Dalek is about to wake up, and it intends to wipe out the human race.
This story had an interesting idea, but I just couldn't get into it. 'I am a Dalek' is an incredibly flawed story that is admittedly very action-packed and tense, but it's difficult to take seriously or even get a kick out of. 10 and Rose were well-characterized, but that's the only positive I have to really say about this story.
Overall: I really don't get the love for this novella. Chris Chibnall did a much better job with this story with 'Resolution'. 2/10
October 4, 2020
On the one hand, this little novella is a pretty accurate try at "a DW episode, just in novella format". On the other hand, it's also an accurate representation of a BAD DW episode. I think Daleks are very hard to write well, because at this point they've been so overused that you have to come up with a pretty original plot, or the other elements of the story have to be really good. Neither is the case here. It's, all in all, just an extremely generic set-up that includes very generic plot tropes of a DW episode. The plot makes very little sense and it features two one-off characters who are forgettable. The only thing that stuck out for me were some instances of clunky (and slightly sexist) dialogue writing.
July 15, 2021
An archaeological dig shows an image of a Dalek in Britain circa AD 70 and the Doctor must use all his skill and intelligence to stop his oldest enemy from taking over the Earth.
Gareth Roberts' short story "I am a Dalek" is witty as well as exciting. The writing is pacey and the characterisation is well in keeping with the source TV series.
Gareth Roberts' short story "I am a Dalek" is witty as well as exciting. The writing is pacey and the characterisation is well in keeping with the source TV series.
February 2, 2018
Nice enough read but I enjoyed other Doctor Who quick reads more
February 9, 2015
Source: I own this book.
Title: I Am A Dalek
Series: Doctor Who Quick Reads #1
Author: Gareth Roberts
Overall rating: 4 stars.
This is a quick little adventure between the Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler, as they prepare to go play golf on the moon, the TARDIS, as always, has other plans and lands in a small coastal village in England where a mysterious object has just been dug up at an archeological site. Not just any object though, a dalek. And when Rose meets Kate, a girl who got hit by a car and walks away untouched, is it possible that the two are connected in some way? And can Rose, Kate and the Doctor stop the dalek?
I got this book years ago during my Doctor Who phase and I haven't read it in over four years, I remember it being a quick, fun and very real to the story kind of book and that it is. This book has a special place in my heart and I don't really have a lot more to say about it other than it means a lot to me and it's very good for fans of the tenth doctor.
Title: I Am A Dalek
Series: Doctor Who Quick Reads #1
Author: Gareth Roberts
Overall rating: 4 stars.
This is a quick little adventure between the Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler, as they prepare to go play golf on the moon, the TARDIS, as always, has other plans and lands in a small coastal village in England where a mysterious object has just been dug up at an archeological site. Not just any object though, a dalek. And when Rose meets Kate, a girl who got hit by a car and walks away untouched, is it possible that the two are connected in some way? And can Rose, Kate and the Doctor stop the dalek?
I got this book years ago during my Doctor Who phase and I haven't read it in over four years, I remember it being a quick, fun and very real to the story kind of book and that it is. This book has a special place in my heart and I don't really have a lot more to say about it other than it means a lot to me and it's very good for fans of the tenth doctor.
April 29, 2013
Others have mentioned that this is one of the Quick Reads novels geared at reluctant readers. Those reluctant readers need a solid story to keep them hooked, and I Am A Dalek did not disappoint. The action moves quickly, the story is solid but not complex, and the character motivations are easy to understand.
From a Who point of view, I liked the idea of a Dalek Factor. It holds up under what we discover in "Asylum of the Daleks," about the Daleks being about to turn living flesh into Daleks.
The story continuity for Rose and the Doctor was there as well. Events in "Parting of the Ways" are referenced, which I did find interesting since she seemed to forget what happened when he took the time vortex out of her. Ah well, we'll say she's remembered--not a big deal.
Over all, if you're looking for a quick Doctor Who story that won't let you down as an adult fan, or that would get a younger fan reading, I recommend this book.
From a Who point of view, I liked the idea of a Dalek Factor. It holds up under what we discover in "Asylum of the Daleks," about the Daleks being about to turn living flesh into Daleks.
The story continuity for Rose and the Doctor was there as well. Events in "Parting of the Ways" are referenced, which I did find interesting since she seemed to forget what happened when he took the time vortex out of her. Ah well, we'll say she's remembered--not a big deal.
Over all, if you're looking for a quick Doctor Who story that won't let you down as an adult fan, or that would get a younger fan reading, I recommend this book.
February 1, 2012
Gareth Jones (who had previously written great bits for Doctor Who merchandise and other BBC television programs) has captured the 10th Doctor and Rose, as well as the relationship between them and the Dalek race (and of course the human race) perfectly!
The story starts off as it often does, by the TARDIS „mislanding“ someplace. Instead of the surface of the moon Rose and the Doctor find themselves on an English Island. As these things go, Rose is struggling to help a „almost-run-over-by-a-car“ girl while the Doctor digs his nose into the newest find of an archaeological excavation: a Roman Dalek…kind of…
Once again, the Doctor and Rose, with help of extraordinary human beings, have to find a way to save Earth, the universe, from the threat of Daleks! A praise for spirit, human-kind and (of course) the Doctor!
Therefore it gets 5 out of 5 sonic screwdrivers!
The story starts off as it often does, by the TARDIS „mislanding“ someplace. Instead of the surface of the moon Rose and the Doctor find themselves on an English Island. As these things go, Rose is struggling to help a „almost-run-over-by-a-car“ girl while the Doctor digs his nose into the newest find of an archaeological excavation: a Roman Dalek…kind of…
Once again, the Doctor and Rose, with help of extraordinary human beings, have to find a way to save Earth, the universe, from the threat of Daleks! A praise for spirit, human-kind and (of course) the Doctor!
Therefore it gets 5 out of 5 sonic screwdrivers!
January 2, 2009
Pretty disappointing overall. This pretty much played out like a episode novelization, but a poor one that didn't add any additional detail that wasn't in the episode itself. Maybe this was not originally destined to be a novel, but there was no advantage taken by the unlimited novel special effects budget.
August 24, 2024
Nice ending. Some weird content for a kids book…
February 1, 2012
Absolutely Brilliant
I loved it but I have one complaint........
1.) It is way to short. I love it, I wish there was more.
Young whovians will adore this.
The part about the hair colours were kind of confusing, but then again when has the docter ever not be confusing?
Enjoy the book!
I loved it but I have one complaint........
1.) It is way to short. I love it, I wish there was more.
Young whovians will adore this.
The part about the hair colours were kind of confusing, but then again when has the docter ever not be confusing?
Enjoy the book!
June 17, 2015
То чувство, когда читаешь книгу, слыша в уме голоса актеров :)))
October 13, 2024
So I thought to myself before venturing away on holiday earlier this year what books do I want to read whilst I’m sitting in the sun with a beer in my hand?
An Agatha Christie & so I purchased the first in the Marple Series & the first in the Poirot series.
Then Doctor Who & since recently I have had a weird fascination with Classic Who I decided I would purchase a multi-doctor Classic Who adventure and so I purchased The Eight Doctors which may sound like an odd place to start my forage into the world of Classic Who literature but found it was the story that most appealed to me. Then came to deciding on another adventure and so I decided 1 classic adventure and 1 NuWho adventure would suffice & what better than the dream team that is The Tenth Doctor & Rose Tyler?
Now bearing in mind I was born in what Whovians recognise as the “wilderness years” for the first couple of years in my existence I had no clue what Doctor Who even was but when it was announced that Doctor Who would burst back onto TV screens after a considerable number of years absence my pops decided it was time to introduce me to the world of Doctor Who with the classic serials “An Unearthly Child” & “The Five Doctors.”
And so a passion was fuelled...
Enough about my selection of books for a holiday though and time to get down to the details and review this particular book.
When I started this book I didn’t expect to complete it within the day but with many hours spent by the pool and a completed puzzle book and Doctor Who magazine, I decided to bite the bullet and started to read “I Am Dalek” and at first I will admit I was sceptical when reading the synopsis of this book but I started to read and before I knew it I had read almost half the book.
I thought the first third of the book was a little slow for my pace of adventure and that the second third had remedied the faults of the first third and the climax of this short read was equally as fast-paced as the second third and tied up all loose ends in quite a neat bow.
One other slight criticism of this piece of text is the character of Frank, although I know Doctor Who thrives on its secondary characters I feel like the potential of Frank’s character was not met for the most part, I believe he appears in about 3 chapters from the first to the second third of this book then he is forgotten about until the climax of the book where he is swiftly killed, a fact we assume the Doctor isn’t made of.
Although the ending of this book is firmly fixed on Frank I can’t help thinking of all the untapped potential of this character.
The book feels quite successful and with a little more character development I wouldn’t have seen a problem in giving the book at least a 4 if not a 5-star rating!
An Agatha Christie & so I purchased the first in the Marple Series & the first in the Poirot series.
Then Doctor Who & since recently I have had a weird fascination with Classic Who I decided I would purchase a multi-doctor Classic Who adventure and so I purchased The Eight Doctors which may sound like an odd place to start my forage into the world of Classic Who literature but found it was the story that most appealed to me. Then came to deciding on another adventure and so I decided 1 classic adventure and 1 NuWho adventure would suffice & what better than the dream team that is The Tenth Doctor & Rose Tyler?
Now bearing in mind I was born in what Whovians recognise as the “wilderness years” for the first couple of years in my existence I had no clue what Doctor Who even was but when it was announced that Doctor Who would burst back onto TV screens after a considerable number of years absence my pops decided it was time to introduce me to the world of Doctor Who with the classic serials “An Unearthly Child” & “The Five Doctors.”
And so a passion was fuelled...
Enough about my selection of books for a holiday though and time to get down to the details and review this particular book.
When I started this book I didn’t expect to complete it within the day but with many hours spent by the pool and a completed puzzle book and Doctor Who magazine, I decided to bite the bullet and started to read “I Am Dalek” and at first I will admit I was sceptical when reading the synopsis of this book but I started to read and before I knew it I had read almost half the book.
I thought the first third of the book was a little slow for my pace of adventure and that the second third had remedied the faults of the first third and the climax of this short read was equally as fast-paced as the second third and tied up all loose ends in quite a neat bow.
One other slight criticism of this piece of text is the character of Frank, although I know Doctor Who thrives on its secondary characters I feel like the potential of Frank’s character was not met for the most part, I believe he appears in about 3 chapters from the first to the second third of this book then he is forgotten about until the climax of the book where he is swiftly killed, a fact we assume the Doctor isn’t made of.
Although the ending of this book is firmly fixed on Frank I can’t help thinking of all the untapped potential of this character.
The book feels quite successful and with a little more character development I wouldn’t have seen a problem in giving the book at least a 4 if not a 5-star rating!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
I Am a Dalek is an excellent example of Doctor Who tie-in fiction done properly. It’s accessible and engaging for young teen and young adult readers, but never talks down to its audience. Instead, it delivers a well-constructed, confident story that knows exactly what it’s trying to do — and does it very well.
The novel feels completely true to the series at the time. The Tenth Doctor and Rose are accurately drawn, their voices immediately recognisable, and the supporting cast fits seamlessly into the world of nu-Who. The pseudo-science is particularly strong: the idea of a Dalek gene being seeded into humanity as a long-term strategy to avert extinction after the Time War is smart, unsettling, and entirely plausible within the show’s logic.
Kate is especially well realised — you can easily imagine how her internal struggle between her human and Dalek selves would have played out on screen. That tension gives the story real momentum and emotional weight.
As part of the Quick Reads series, this book fulfils its brief perfectly: it’s straightforward, fast-moving, and consistently engaging. But what really elevates it is its heart. At the centre of the story is Frank Openshaw, whose fate brings one of the most quietly moving moments in nu-Who prose. True to the spirit of the Doctor, compassion wins out — and the Doctor keeps his promise:
“Bending the rules. For my friend.”
A really satisfying read, full of intelligence, warmth and respect for the series. The heart of nu-Who beats strongly throughout this book.
The novel feels completely true to the series at the time. The Tenth Doctor and Rose are accurately drawn, their voices immediately recognisable, and the supporting cast fits seamlessly into the world of nu-Who. The pseudo-science is particularly strong: the idea of a Dalek gene being seeded into humanity as a long-term strategy to avert extinction after the Time War is smart, unsettling, and entirely plausible within the show’s logic.
Kate is especially well realised — you can easily imagine how her internal struggle between her human and Dalek selves would have played out on screen. That tension gives the story real momentum and emotional weight.
As part of the Quick Reads series, this book fulfils its brief perfectly: it’s straightforward, fast-moving, and consistently engaging. But what really elevates it is its heart. At the centre of the story is Frank Openshaw, whose fate brings one of the most quietly moving moments in nu-Who prose. True to the spirit of the Doctor, compassion wins out — and the Doctor keeps his promise:
“Bending the rules. For my friend.”
A really satisfying read, full of intelligence, warmth and respect for the series. The heart of nu-Who beats strongly throughout this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2020
This book marks the start of my reading many short books to try and keep up with my reading challenge whilst tackling the beast that is The Complete Fiction of H P Lovecraft. And it was a fairly mediocre start.
I Am A Dalek has some of those classic doctor who moments but, unfortunately, some heavily convoluted writing prevents it from reaching it's full potential.
It essentially tells the story of a lone dalek and it attempts to do what lone daleks tend to do; escape, exterminate and rebuild the dalek race. However, whilst this side of the plot is fairly well done and fairly standard (it wouldn't at all seem out of place on screen) the other side of the plot, which features a human embued with dalek energy, leaves a little to be desired. It feels convoluted and convenient and doesn't entirely play by the rules of science fiction in my book. Ultimately, it's too easy.
The characterisation for the Doctor and Rose is fantastic for the most part. There are only a few Doctor moments that stand out as seeming out of character which I'm sure will stand out to any fans of the show.
I Am A Dalek is a short, fun story that, for the most part, stands up amongst the myriad of other Doctor Who books out there. However, convoluted and predictable writing does bring down the plot somewhat in the book's finale. Ultimately, a fun daleks story that is worth a look for anyone in the mood.
I Am A Dalek has some of those classic doctor who moments but, unfortunately, some heavily convoluted writing prevents it from reaching it's full potential.
It essentially tells the story of a lone dalek and it attempts to do what lone daleks tend to do; escape, exterminate and rebuild the dalek race. However, whilst this side of the plot is fairly well done and fairly standard (it wouldn't at all seem out of place on screen) the other side of the plot, which features a human embued with dalek energy, leaves a little to be desired. It feels convoluted and convenient and doesn't entirely play by the rules of science fiction in my book. Ultimately, it's too easy.
The characterisation for the Doctor and Rose is fantastic for the most part. There are only a few Doctor moments that stand out as seeming out of character which I'm sure will stand out to any fans of the show.
I Am A Dalek is a short, fun story that, for the most part, stands up amongst the myriad of other Doctor Who books out there. However, convoluted and predictable writing does bring down the plot somewhat in the book's finale. Ultimately, a fun daleks story that is worth a look for anyone in the mood.
October 26, 2021
Although I loved the Quick Reads series when I was younger, this was one I skipped at the time. It was a bit complex for my little head, so I came back to it some years later.
It's an alright book. Surprisingly mature in places for something aimed at school age children, and some nice characterisation of the older archaeologist character, Frank. But that's about it.
It's understandable that the Tenth Doctor's character may be slightly off, being written before David Tennant had properly made his debut on screen and therefore based on scripts for the 2006 series and early footage.
There's also an uncomfortable amount of sexualisation. The main guest character, Kate, is described as having "heavy breasts", which is strange seeing as the book was intentionally written for a younger audience.
It's also significant to note that the author Gareth Roberts has since been outed as a transphobic tosspot, and with this context some of his bigotry is probably on display in this book.
Overall, it's a fine book. If you're buying it for 25p in a charity shop, which I suspect you will be in 2021, it's 100 pages worth your pennies, even though the plot has since been done better in the 2019 TV episode Resolution.
Just strap in for a bit of uncomfortable reading if you do decide to pick up a copy.
It's an alright book. Surprisingly mature in places for something aimed at school age children, and some nice characterisation of the older archaeologist character, Frank. But that's about it.
It's understandable that the Tenth Doctor's character may be slightly off, being written before David Tennant had properly made his debut on screen and therefore based on scripts for the 2006 series and early footage.
There's also an uncomfortable amount of sexualisation. The main guest character, Kate, is described as having "heavy breasts", which is strange seeing as the book was intentionally written for a younger audience.
It's also significant to note that the author Gareth Roberts has since been outed as a transphobic tosspot, and with this context some of his bigotry is probably on display in this book.
Overall, it's a fine book. If you're buying it for 25p in a charity shop, which I suspect you will be in 2021, it's 100 pages worth your pennies, even though the plot has since been done better in the 2019 TV episode Resolution.
Just strap in for a bit of uncomfortable reading if you do decide to pick up a copy.
July 3, 2022
Better than the last few books on Doctor Who I read but still lacks the basic component: to indulge the reader in the story.
The plot seems fresh and good but the executing it into a story is not. Doctor Who along with his assistant Rose Tyler have plans for the Moon but TARDIS have other plans for them, landing them instead in a village on the south coast of England.
At the village: an archaeological dig has turned up a Roman mosaic, circa AD 70, depicting mythical scenes, grapes and a Dalek. A few days later a young woman, rushing for work, is knocked over and killed by a bus, then comes back to life.
It's not long before all hell breaks loose, and the Doctor and Rose must use all their courage and cunning against an alien enemy and a not-quite-alien accomplice who are intent on destroying humanity.
It's definitely a quick read. I managed to finish it in a little over half an hour and a perfect companion while travelling some short distance on weekends.
I wasn't much thrilled about it when I laid my hands on its cover but I still wanted to give it a try.
Moreover, I partially enjoyed it. Even with the right components-- it's short, it's funny and it has Daleks too, I won't recommend it. Exterminating the post!
2.5 out of 5
The plot seems fresh and good but the executing it into a story is not. Doctor Who along with his assistant Rose Tyler have plans for the Moon but TARDIS have other plans for them, landing them instead in a village on the south coast of England.
At the village: an archaeological dig has turned up a Roman mosaic, circa AD 70, depicting mythical scenes, grapes and a Dalek. A few days later a young woman, rushing for work, is knocked over and killed by a bus, then comes back to life.
It's not long before all hell breaks loose, and the Doctor and Rose must use all their courage and cunning against an alien enemy and a not-quite-alien accomplice who are intent on destroying humanity.
It's definitely a quick read. I managed to finish it in a little over half an hour and a perfect companion while travelling some short distance on weekends.
I wasn't much thrilled about it when I laid my hands on its cover but I still wanted to give it a try.
Moreover, I partially enjoyed it. Even with the right components-- it's short, it's funny and it has Daleks too, I won't recommend it. Exterminating the post!
2.5 out of 5
June 5, 2024
I Am A Dalek - 3.5/5
Including a mandatory Gareth Roberts is a transphobe disclaimer at the top here.
This is pretty decent, reminds me a bit of the first New Year's Special featuring the 13th Doctor, 'Resolution', from 2019 () but with a tie to 'Evil of the Daleks' through . It keeps the threat level of a single Dalek up to a similar level as concurrent Revival stories did and has a fun resolution to deal with the threat. It was surprisingly brutal too, with the Dalek going on quite a rampage across Merrie Olde Englande.
The short page count means the side characters don't get much but what's there is fun and Kate Yates is a pretty decent edition here, with her struggles fitting that more tied-to-Earth feel this era of the show had.
Overall, a decent read.
Including a mandatory Gareth Roberts is a transphobe disclaimer at the top here.
This is pretty decent, reminds me a bit of the first New Year's Special featuring the 13th Doctor, 'Resolution', from 2019 () but with a tie to 'Evil of the Daleks' through . It keeps the threat level of a single Dalek up to a similar level as concurrent Revival stories did and has a fun resolution to deal with the threat. It was surprisingly brutal too, with the Dalek going on quite a rampage across Merrie Olde Englande.
The short page count means the side characters don't get much but what's there is fun and Kate Yates is a pretty decent edition here, with her struggles fitting that more tied-to-Earth feel this era of the show had.
Overall, a decent read.
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