Tricky one here.

The Dragon Waiting is an alternate history, medieval/early renaissance, fantasy novel following the ride of Richard III.

It does this very, very well.

However, it does not give you any handrails. Either you already need to have a strong familiarity with this period of history or you're going to need to read this with one eye fixed on Wikipedia. There are notes in historical context in the back of the novel, but they talk about the deviations - rather than the history itself. You're going to need to do your homework here.

John Ford's "show, don't tell" approach also applies to plot. Expect the plot to jump from one paragraph to the next and not to blink. You're left wondering if you missed a page, some other context elsewhere - nope, this is how he writes. When you get in to the flow of reading it works. But don't expect to pick up and drop this book. Set aside reading time. And a whiteboard. And markers.

Once you're ready to read it, it's great. The story is quite pacy, a fantasy spy thriller. Very Le Carre in places, but with some oddly Noir vibes, especially around Gregory. Really don't be afraid to go and look up "who is..." if you get lost. It will help make your reading experience more enjoyable.

It's good, worth the time, approach like battle.