At the Table of Wolves

At the Table of Wolves takes place in 1936 England, as dark powers known as Talents have emerged in the population following the trauma of World War I. British intelligence operative Kim Tavistock possesses the Talent of drawing deep secrets from others during casual conversation. The Nazi regime has developed its own corps of Talented individuals and seeks to harness these abilities for invasion plans. Kim must go undercover to investigate a web of German spies and sympathizers operating on British soil while navigating complex loyalties and deceptions. The novel combines espionage tradecraft with supernatural elements in an alternate history setting. Period details of pre-WWII society and politics provide context for the growing tensions between Britain and Germany. The story explores themes of truth versus deception, the moral boundaries of patriotism, and how trauma can transform both individuals and nations. Through its fantasy elements, the book offers commentary on power dynamics and the weaponization of human potential.

Readers report slow pacing in the first third but praise the unique blend of espionage and supernatural abilities in 1936 England. The protagonist Kim receives positive mentions for her complexity and growth throughout the story. Likes: - Historical accuracy and period details - Fresh take on psychic powers in pre-WWII setting - Strong character development - Intricate spy craft elements - World-building around "Talents" abilities Dislikes: - Slow start before action picks up - Some found the Nazi villains one-dimensional - Romance subplot feels underdeveloped - Too much focus on social interactions vs espionage Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (432 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 reviews) BookBrowse: 4/5 (31 reviews) Reader quote: "The concept of psychic powers emerging after WWI trauma is fascinating, but the pacing could be tighter." - Goodreads reviewer

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★ At the Table of Wolves is set in an alternate 1936 England where psychic powers (called "Talents") emerged after World War I, a phenomenon known as "the bloom." ★ Author Kay Kenyon drew inspiration from real-life British intelligence operations during WWII, including the work of British spy organizations like MI6 and the Special Operations Executive. ★ The protagonist, Kim Tavistock, possesses a Talent called "the spill," which causes people to involuntarily reveal their secrets to her. ★ The novel blends elements of historical spy fiction with supernatural fantasy, creating a unique subgenre sometimes called "historical spy fantasy" or "dark historical fantasy." ★ Before writing At the Table of Wolves, Kay Kenyon was primarily known for her science fiction works, including The Entire and the Rose series.