A King in Waiting

by Michael Cronk, Emmie Hamilton (editor), Kirsty Inic (editor)

In the middle of the night, a hooded stranger arrives on Jason’s doorstep begging for help, with a terrifying assassin close on their heels. The stranger is a witch named Leslie Toussaint, and they need Jason’s detective skills to find out who sent the assassin.

Leslie is a historian, and they may have stumbled upon a great secret of the past. A secret that someone wants to keep hidden at all costs.

Silvana sees this as an opportunity. A historian could help her finally uncover her own past, and she will take any risk to discover the truth. But will she like what she finds?

Jason must track down who is behind this deadly assassin. More importantly, he must uncover the secret that someone is trying to hide, lest history repeat itself. But Jason has no idea how much this secret could change the world forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction

430 pages, Hardcover

First published January 8, 2025

Reviews

[Zéro Janvier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A King in Waiting est le troisième tome des Immortal Investigations, la saga d’urban fantasy de l’auteur australien Michael Cronk, également connu pour sa chaîne YouTube The Book Guy. J’ai contribué au financement participatif des trois premiers tomes et j’achève ma lecture des trois tomes, que j’ai dévorés l’un après l’autre en quelques jours.

In the middle of the night, a hooded stranger arrives on Jason’s doorstep begging for help, with a terrifying assassin close on their heels. The stranger is a witch named Leslie Toussaint, and they need Jason’s detective skills to find out who sent the assassin.

Leslie is a historian, and they may have stumbled upon a great secret of the past. A secret that someone wants to keep hidden at all costs.

Silvana sees this as an opportunity. A historian could help her finally uncover her own past, and she will take any risk to discover the truth. But will she like what she finds?

Jason must track down who is behind this deadly assassin. More importantly, he must uncover the secret that someone is trying to hide, lest history repeat itself. But Jason has no idea how much this secret could change the world forever.

Ce roman est à la fois le plus ambitieux et le plus réussi des trois premiers de la saga. Le récit est palpitant, les enjeux sont immenses. L’univers imaginé par l’auteur s’étend, son histoire et sa mythologie s’approfondit, ce n’est d’ailleurs pas un hasard si l’un des personnages de ce roman est historien·ne. Puisque je parle des personnages, ils sont toujours aussi attachants, sinon plus (mention spéciale pour Jason, Silvana et Freddie, mais aussi pour Edward). Tous les ingrédients sont donc réunis pour un excellent roman, et j’ai été captivé du début à la fin.

Je ne l’avais pas encore fait en parlant des deux premiers romans, mais il y a plusieurs points que je me dois d’évoquer car ils concernant les trois tomes de la saga. D’abord, Michael Cronk propose un ensemble de personnages dont la diversité est le maître mot : diversité d’origines sociales et ethniques, diversité de genre, diversité d’orientation sexuelle, le tout avec une fluidité (de genre, haha) remarquable, loin des stéréotypes que l’on peut voir parfois. Ensuite, l’auteur parle parfaitement de santé mentale et de handicap. Ces sujets de représentation, Michael Cronk en parle toujours très justement sur sa chaîne YouTube, et j’apprécie beaucoup de voir qu’il le fait également parfaitement dans ses romans.

Ce roman est clairement mon préféré parmi les trois premiers tomes de la saga. Tous les arcs narratifs ne sont pas encore bouclés, mais c’est un très bel aboutissement pour l’histoire débutée dans le premier tome. Les révélations finales laissent en tout cas espérer de grandes choses pour la suite. Je dois dire que j’ai assez hâte de lire les prochains romans du cycle, même si je sais que l’auteur va devoir prendre un peu plus son temps après une année 2024 épuisante pour nous proposer en une seule fois les trois premiers romans.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alrighty. Well, sticking with the same general feel of the first two, this is a fun read. Still giving that early Dresden files vibe. I do have to say though the more adult scenes kinda distract from the story. Also the random expressions of intimacy followed by acknowledgment of how “hot” something is did make me groan a bit. The interwoven aspects of history are a nice touch. I do feel that certain aspects of relationships and disorders could use a little more work. All that said I’m glad I read the trilogy. If more are made as part of this series, I would mostly likely read them.

[Anonymous Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite of the trilogy, and the first one I’d call truly perfect (except for the typos again :( The first word on the first page is ‘aloud’ when it should be ‘a loud’).

Cronk really impressed me here with his ability to craft such a compelling plot concept. I think it’s one of his strongest specialties as a writer. The stakes are continuing to top themselves, but the plot hasn’t yet reached end-of-the-world threat level. That would get exhausting if it happened for 12 books straight, and thankfully it’s not! We got a very strong street level story first, then a globe-trotting adventure, then something resembling a heist film! I love it.

Another strength in this book is the character of Dorin. There are many, many great characters in this series, and every book keeps introducing more (here we get Leslie, Dorin, Alexei, etc.) Also Cronk is wise to keep some characters in the background here; the cops, the Romanoff family, Samantha Kennedy, etc. I’m sure Cronk is acutely aware of which characters in his ever-growing cast he lets shine in each book, and I’d be happy to see one book without Edward or Khadija (two of my favorite characters) if it means that they’ll shine in book 6, or 7, or something.

Personally I really, really love this series. It’s smart, planned out to a tee, and full of compelling moral conversations. I can’t wait for more books! And hopefully Cronk can bring me on as a beta reader so I can help with typos, lol.

[Wouter K · Rating 5 out of 5]

As disclosure I'd like to preface this review with the fact that I received an ARC for proofreading and am a big fan of Michael Cronk's YT content as well as his first book. That being said, this book is a worthy ending of the first trilogy in the immortal investigations world.

The book really ties all the plot lines together from previous books and provides a very exciting and thrilling ending, a big scale up in the forces our protagonists deal with and the truths they uncover. The book offers a bunch of fun plot twists both in the character arcs as in the plotline. All the key characters have shown significant growth throughout the trilogy as well. I especially loved the resolution of some of Jason's personal history and feelings ;)

I love how this series emphasizes healthy coping, healthy relationships and implements representation of mental health and sexuality/gender in a very natural way. Furthermore I love how the author does not shy away from morality, geopolitical themes and even makes them an integral part to the story of the immortal world and our protagonists.

In short, I hope you read this book and love it as much as I did.

[Florent Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review contains minor spoilers for the first two books.

A King in Waiting is the third instalment in Michael Cronk's Immortal Investigations series. The first book, The Immortal Investigation, was a fantastic, mostly self-contained, entry into the world crafted by the author. It created a unique atmosphere by blending ‘our’ reality with a fresh twist on legends, tales, and myths. Its sequel, The Mortal Knight, was a significant step up in terms of setting and character depth and developed broader storylines with some unresolved threads. The third entry picks up on these and further expands on everything that made the previous novels so compelling while offering a satisfying conclusion to most of the plotlines. The second and third books are thus akin to a duology, which is fitting as they were released together—I always value authors' efforts to avoid leaving readers in limbo by ending books on cliffhangers months or years before the sequels are due for release. This is especially commendable given Michael Cronk's fascinating ideas for the series' future, subtly showcased in the last chapters hinting at what is to come without negatively affecting the resolution of the book's main storylines.

This third instalment places greater focus on the ‘immortals’ side of the plot and less on Jason's mundane life. I see this shift as clearly positive, as the former is generally better written and has most of the best ideas. To be clear, the dynamics between Jason and his colleagues, efforts to learn the ropes of detective work, and struggles to bridge his professional endeavours and supernatural private life are pleasant to read; but I find the latter part more engaging and original. This is also where the most interesting questions and plot points left open by the previous book are explored. I have no doubt that Cronk can make the ‘mortal’ part of the story equally exciting, though, and I look forward to seeing where he'll take it next.

I noticed a significant improvement in the writing and pacing, two areas where the second book was already a step up from the first. The few repetitions or overused words I mentioned in my review of The Mortal Knight have morphed into a distinct and smooth style that is a pleasure to read. It is enhanced by the subtle balance Cronk has found between adding new plot points and deepening existing ones. Each scene is given enough time to stand on its own without seeming overstretched, and the different plotlines are intertwined without causing any frustration. I particularly liked that most, if not all, chapters end in a satisfying mini-conclusion. While other authors use cliffhangers liberally to keep readers interested, Cronk relies on relatable characters and captivating developments instead—which, at least for me, works very well.

This book dives right into the action (featuring one of the series' best action scenes in the first chapters), offering a welcome contrast to the slower start of the first two. While I generally appreciate long, slow introductions in Fantasy, Cronk's writing shines brightest in fast-paced, eventful scenes where each sentence leaves the reader on edge, wondering what will happen next—and I enjoyed diving into a scene that highlights his strength right from the start. The pacing of the rest of the book is well balanced, alternating between more action and slower, but never too long, chapters where the lore, characters' personalities and relationships, and atmosphere are developed.

The action scenes are, again, impressively fast-paced and full of inventive ideas. I already praised them in my reviews of the previous books, and the same applies here. I would only add that each of them contributes to the broader story arcs beyond its aesthetic appeal, presenting new facets of major characters and moving the plots forward such that none of them appears artificial nor superfluous.

A King in Waiting continues to explore the relationship between Jason and Silvana, with several unexpected twists taking it in a direction I would not have foreseen. We also see more of Silvana's point of view—her desires, hopes, fears, and doubts. The second novel primarily focused (as far as her point of view is concerned) on her relations with her family, and her feelings for Jason seemed, in comparison, straightforward. This third volume gives more insight into her vision of the relationship, including discrepancies between her inner experiences and what she projects externally.

While Jason and Silvana remain central to the plot, other characters are given more importance and development than in the previous books. I welcome this shift: as relatable as these two are, Cronk's talent for building complex, nuanced, authentic characters extends to the whole cast and I was eager to learn more about them all. In particular, Freddie reveals a surprisingly self-conscious side, only hinted at in the previous books, contrasting with his externally easy-going, uninhibited personality. Similarly, Desdemona shows more vulnerability beyond the seemingly all-powerful figure she presents even in intimacy. Her admission of how much she cares for Portia in one scene was unexpected, just like a friend can surprise you with a word that reveals a whole new part of their personality. I could find similar examples for all the recurring characters, who each prove to be much more complex than they previously appeared.

Finally, I love the lore this book provides on the history and structure of the Imperium, its relation to human history, and the nature of magic, making the universe built by Cronk appear deeper and more vibrant than ever. New revelations (which I will not discuss here to avoid spoilers) significantly broaden the scope of the immortals' world.

I sometimes wonder why I like this series so much. It is certainly not for the prose (although it was never bad, and has improved significantly), the mystery (it remains fairly shallow), nor action scenes (fantastic though it may be, action is generally not what draws me in a book). Maybe it is the characters, many of whom are absolutely lovable and the others are at least interesting. Or maybe it is the world-building, blending elements from tales and legends in an original and creative way. Maybe it is the way the author leads us to discover the societies of the immortals through the eyes of his main characters. It is likely a combination of these elements, building a world that feels alive, in which I still want to believe long after I have closed the book (or, maybe less romantically, turned my phone off). Good fiction makes you believe the story it tells while you're reading it. Great fiction keeps you believing it long afterwards, like a new land somewhere in your imagination that appears as solid as ever, where you can wander and make your own stories. The Immortal Investigations are firmly in the second category. Since I started reading the first entry (and although I am long past the age at which daydreaming is socially acceptable), the series' characters became like a part of me, of the dreams I make as I allow my mind to wander, in bed after a long day of work or running along a river. As someone who often seeks refuge in imagination when life gets tough, tiring, or boring, I find this series provides a wonderful realm to escape into.

In conclusion, A King in Waiting is an impressive step up in an already fascinating Urban Fantasy series, building on its strength and resolving most of the writing and pacing issues present in the earlier books. The only negative is that I am now eagerly waiting for book four!

Trigger warnings: A King in Waiting explores the same themes as The Mortal Knight but is lighter on violence and other potentially triggering scenes. If you've made it that far in the series, you should be fine.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story includes a heist into a magical library, Dracula’s family tree, fighting for and against kings, and so much more!

I never thought the only mortal non-knight character would become my favourite of the group, yet here we are 😂

Every person in this group of mystery-solving allies is unique and loveable. Some are stereotypical but in a very self-aware way, which makes it fun. On the other side, the villains are SO detestable.

The biggest highlight of the series is the amount of diverse characters that are effortlessly woven through the story. It never feels forced; it simply feels like real life in a (mostly) accepting society. Having such diversity adds so much nuance and richness to the story. Every character’s voice is unique. If you don’t mind spoilers, here is what can be found within the pages of this book: queer representation (bi, non-binary, gender fluid), polyamory, people of different ethnicity/cultures, neurodivergence, and mental health disorders.

Discovering the author’s explanation for the source of vampiric magic was so cool. The world keeps expanding in each book (looking at you, epilogue 👀) which keeps the story all the more interesting. The only downside to the expanding world, for book 3, was that we didn’t get to spend much time with Jason’s work colleagues.

Now, to wait patiently for the next books to become available…

[Sean Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is really astonishing, and I’m a little taken aback that this was Michael Cronk’s DEBUT trilogy. I can only say that we are very lucky to have a new author in the fantasy space that is so ready and able to delve into mental health representation and diversity of sexual orientation. Overall, this was by far my favourite book of the trilogy. The stakes are at their highest, the worldbuilding is at its greatest, the mythology deepens (aided by one of my favourite character types: the historian) and Cronk maintains his streak of blowing my mind with his effortless ability to weave in incredibly believable, well foreshadowed, mind blowing plot twists. To say the least, this was an absolute banger of a book. I would highly, HIGHLY recommend you pick this trilogy up. You’ll be hooked from chapter one of book one, and Cronk won’t let you go until the last page of book three, in an ending that felt so well deserved and which really pulled at ALL the heart strings.

[Guido · Rating 3 out of 5]

first off I enjoyed the story and all it's twists and turns it has nice bulding of tension and then the payoff is what is expected. there is also enough teased to make me interested in where Michael Cronk will take this story in the next book(s).
But I personally do not enjoy where he takes the romance at the end of the story and I also think that there are too many LGTBQ+ characters in this entire series. correct me if I am wrong but all of his friends and allies are in some way LGTBQ+. and while I understand that there are friendship groups like that all over the world. those groups mostly sought out people like that whereas in this story everbody just happens to be like that and you find out about it fairly quickly for everyone. and this takes me out of the story.
But if you like over representation of the LGBTQ+ and urban fantasy than this series is definitely for you. I will read the next book in the series but I will probably be skipping over some romance parts.