The dark reality of historic colonialism amongst various cultures along with the burden of forced racial dualities will leave readers contemplating the themes presented in The Queen’s Spade long after the last page.

"When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard—so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again."

This novel is deeper than vengeance; it tells the stories of African, Asian, and Indian enslavement and illustrates the true price of freedom those are willing to pay to ensure the truth is never forgotten.

This was such an interesting read and my first from Sarah Forbes Bonetta. From the beginning you can tell that the author put a lot of time and care into research to write this story. This was a story of Revenge for Sally, our FMC. It has royalty, vengeance, sacrifice, racism, and more. This book details what it often feels like to be a Black woman. While the world building and high stakes kept my interest, there were a few moments were the pacing was a bit off. Overall, a very strong read!

This is a historical book based on the real life, Sarah Forbes Bonette. As her African tribe’s princess, she was taken as a captive gift for Queen Victoria. The Queen raised her as a “goddaughter” but always with their belief that she was better off then she would have been left in her home. The book does a good job of demonstrating the arrogance and horrific wrongdoings of the colonial system. As an adult, sarah focuses her energies seeking revenge on those that demeaned and wronged her. Although there is an element of romance, it is a very small part of the story. The writing is easy to read and the story itself, is well researched. I would have enjoyed a little more direct plot as it did seem to wander a bit, however I did enjoy this read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This review and opinions shared are my own given voluntarily.

This was such an interesting read. I had only vaguely heard of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, so I was curious to read a book about her. This story is about royalty, court intrigue, and the lengths a girl will go to seek vengeance.

I could tell that the author put a lot of research into telling this story. I loved how she gave Sally a voice, creating this tale of revenge against the crown around what we know about Victoria and her ideas of abolition and empire. This reimagines history, but with so much historical detail, it feels like it could easily be a true story.

Ina, or Sally, as she is known in Great Britain, is a fierce protagonist. We learn about her history with the crown and why she would throw everything away to seek revenge against the people who tore her away from her home. There is a lot of racism, both outright and subtle, in this story. You will feel Sally's fury as she must live amongst people who treat her as a pet but always other.

I couldn't help but compare this story to Babel due to their similar themes of revenge and colonialism. If you enjoyed that book, I think you would enjoy this one.

I had some issues with the pacing around the middle of the book and the repetitiveness of certain lines, but overall, I liked this book. It would be a great tie-in to studying the Victorian period.

This book kero me on the edge of my seat till the very end I was fully invested on see everyone on Sarah's list pay!!! The African Princess is seeing red and you had better stay out of the way. I was intrigued by Sarah and by her accomplice Rui it's interesting to watch the dance they do with each other and more evident the rage and pain they both carry.

Wow, this book was intense, and so so dark and full of anger and Sally’s revenge schemes and also her dream of freedom. As it says at the end of the blurb, it is loosely based on a true person. And there are so many real moments from history in it, the author did a great job of weaving true history with incredible and dark possibilities to create this tale. Reading all of Sally’s experiences that made her the way she was in this story made my heart hurt, and also made me root for her plans as well.

Yes, it is something to look and see that maybe people had reasons for the things they did. But oh the things that were done to her, as well as other people similar to her, it made it easy to understand her thirst for violence and ruin of these people who had treated her this way. So many detailed plans, things that would not be thought of this day maybe, but fit in well with the way people behaved and the things they valued in those days. Their good names, their connection to the Queen or royal family, their own wealth even.

I’ve read another book by this author and was also captured to where I could barely put it down. Obviously the author has taken these people and built a whole world of things that aren’t what really happened. But she makes it so that I wanted and did go start looking up all I could find about the names of people and if they existed and how they lived if they did. I would say another hard hitting, winning historical fiction form Sarah Raughley for sure.

This story is a celebration of being an angry Black woman and getting revenge. So many people think the anger of Black people is unwarranted. Honestly, whether you understand her reason or not, Ina aka Sarah was laser focused on vengeance—and rightfully so.

I enjoyed this fictional take on true life events. Ina’s character is based on the life of Omoba Ina. The British would tell you she was rescued, Ina would say she was ripped away from her home and traditions. Ina went from being the princess of her clan to the gifted goddaughter of Queen Victoria. She was raised and educated with British ideals in the effort to turn her into a “civilized” woman. That translated into years of stripping away her identity, humiliating her, and treating her like property.

In The Queen’s Spade, Ina is fueled by her pain. Ina’s anger and bloodlust are the only things keeping her going so she can accomplish her mission of taking down the monarchy. Ina will get revenge against the British Crown and anyone who played a part in her suffering—even if it’s the last thing she does. I love how the author leaned so heavily into Ina’s darkness. The development of her character was very clear. There’s no doubt who Ina was. She was angry, determined, murderous, bold, sinister, dangerous, intelligent, manipulative, and an overall mastermind. The story alternates between Ina creating chaos in the present and the past events she endured as royal property. There is a romances/non romance situation that I actually liked. A traditional romance would’ve been out of place in this story, so I think the author made a good choice.

Overall, I liked the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

4.5 Stars

The Queen’s Spade is a historical thriller inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta (aka Sally), Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter. In the book, author Sarah Raughley imagines a Sally out for revenge — a Sally who will stop at nothing to make a number of high-ranking British men and women pay for the wrongs they committed. It’s an idea that’s plausible and plays out with all the tension and intrigue you’d expect from a thriller.

In Raughley’s world, Sally is a morally gray character that makes sense. Sally is a favorite of the queen and walks a strange line of being both on the inside and outside of court. She is and isn’t accepted, and that brings her a certain amount of access and power. And it’s not hard to understand her motives, even if some of the outcomes are less than desirable.

Of particular note is the interplay between a grieving Queen Victoria and Sally. Both are sharp and have multiple cards to play.

The book is superbly written. It’s a gripping tale that’s part character study, part suspense, and somehow Raughley is able to fit it all into a real timeline of events and people. The Queen’s Spade will appeal to older YA readers as well as adults.

A dazzling mix of intrigue, magic, and fierce characters, this young adult historical thriller shines with its wonderful research and attention to detail. The vivid world-building and high-stakes drama kept me hooked, but some parts felt a bit repetitive, which slowed the pacing at times. Still, it’s a compelling read for fans of history, mystery, and a touch of magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Queen's Spade on January 14, 2025.

It's very clear that Sarah Raughley put immense care into her research and writing of this book. The language is evocative of the time period, and her use of specific details makes it feel as if you're in the room with young Sally. The themes of colonialism, revenge, and taking back your autonomy were exceptionally crafted throughout the story, painting a powerful reimagining of the real-life Sarah Forbes Bonetta. Though her story is tragic, Sarah/Sally manage to inspire and caution us about the lengths people will go to for power and privilege.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading *The Queen’s Spade* by Sarah Roughly. The story is a captivating blend of mystery and adventure, set against the backdrop of a royal court filled with intrigue. The characters are vivid and well-developed.

The pacing is perfect, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. I also appreciated the underlying themes of loyalty and self-discovery, which are seamlessly woven throughout the plot.

It’s an engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical mysteries featuring strong, resourceful heroines.

Prepare for the racism. Sally is committed to revenge of a select group of individuals involved in her kidnapping and oppression. The racism in this book makes your blood boil. The cruelty and inhumanity of their racism. The spectacle and condescension. They see Sally as the exception as they make her perform for them. It's a lesson in conditional love. In all the ways we can make someone's love dependent on their obedience, on our expectations. Can you tell the open captives from the pets? and which is worse?

THE QUEEN'S SPADE by Sarah Raughley is an excellent YA book about revenge, colonization, slavery, the role of women in society, and so much more. I am ashamed to say I had no idea who Ina Sara Forbes Bonetta was before reading this book, nor did I know that Queen Victoria had "Wards of the Empire" (vomit). This book sent me on all sorts of internet side quests to learn about the real history depicted in the book, and I'm sure others will follow suit and go on their own research journeys. I loved how Raughley reinvented Ina's life and gave her an amazing quest for revenge. Living vicariously through her schemes was very fun and the end of the book is super satisfying. Get this book for your school library! Use it for book club! Get it, get it!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished reading The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley, and wow—what an intense, gripping tale. This book dives deep into themes of revenge and justice in a way that left me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Every page is packed with raw emotion, and I couldn’t help but feel every bit of Ina’s rage and grief as if it were my own. What hit me the hardest is knowing that her journey is inspired by real-life events—it makes her story even more haunting and unforgettable. I was completely captivated by Ina’s strength and resilience. Trust me, you won’t just read her story; you’ll feel it.

The Queen's Spade was an incredible read. What a journey!

I've read about Sarah Bonetta Forbes before. She was an Egbado princess whose family was slaughtered. Sarah was stripped of her African name and given the aforementioned name. She is then gifted, yes gifted, to Queen Victoria of England.

Sarah, often referred to as the generic "Sally", is forced to become an elite member of British society and paraded around as the queen's African god daughter. She's at the mercy of what the queen wants for her from being shipped to a girl's institution in Freetown Africa, to where she lives in England, to who she is ordered to marry. The true story of Sarah Bonetta Forbes is a sad one.

THIS one, however, puts quite the twist on Sarah. She understands that humiliation is worse than death in British society and is exacting revenge for the wrongs done to her; I loved every moment of it. While plenty is fictional, there are plenty facts included, and I learned a few things while reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC of The Queen's Spade.

This book is great for YA readers who love suspense, mystery, and murder. This book also has some historical fiction elements to it; but I would make it more clear to readers that many of the events (murders that Sally does) are fictional. I understand and like the perspective of giving her a story where she can fight back. I think the book is still interesting and important as a historical fiction that it tells people of Sally and of all the other heinous acts England and The Crown DID actually enact on the world.
I would recommend this to my students, but I would label it as very fictionally and give them some background info on the book just so they didn’t get confused or misinformed while reading.

This book, with its stunning cover, captivated me from the start! The unique mix of Bridgerton and The Count of Monte Cristo kept me hooked as I followed Ina's journey of hardship and revenge. Full of twists and turns, it left me wanting more. I can't wait to see what's next for Ina!

The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley is one of those books that is labeled YA but that I think is a good read for all ages.

This book is based off of the real life of Sara Forbes Bonetta, birth name Ina Omoba, who was raised by Queen Victoria as a "god daughter." In this work of fiction, Sara is on a quest of revenge. She was taken from her homeland, her best friend was murdered on their voyage to England, and she has been transformed into royal property. Now she seeks justice against all of those who have wronged and stolen pieces from her along the way.

Where I thought this book thrived was in bringing to attention the horrific wrongdoings of the monarchy in, as the book description says, "the system of colonial 'humanitarianism.'" Sara was rescued from her homeland only to become enslaved by another system. As she goes through with her revenge plot we learn of all of the different players, and more, who participated in her mistreatment. Even those closest to her hold their own prejudices.

The plot of this book is fast but a bit too busy. I enjoyed all of the action scenes because I enjoy a quick moving plot, but sometimes I thought there was no rhyme, reason, or overall plan. There are also several different characters and sub plots which made some of the book a bit chaotic. The description of this book on Goodreads says it is for fans of Bridgerton but I disagree. The romance was in my opinion the weakest part of the book. Sara has a lot of suitors vying for her attention but most of the romantic scenes fell very flat. Altogether I thought the story could use a bit more organization and it would have been even stronger.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I like reading books with action, a quick moving plot, and a historical piece and this delivered on all three. The writing is easy to read and the story was clearly well researched. I rated this 3.75 stars and rounded up both here and on goodreads.

The Queen's Spade was a phenomenal read. "Sally" (Sarah) was formerly the princess of the Egbado Clan and she wants to get revenge against everyone who was involved with invading her homeland and forced her to become the property of Queen Victoria and the royal family. I was amazed how much this book addresses historical issues with colonization and arranged/forced marriages as a means of controlling women, especially when forcing young women to marry older men. This book has a lot of twists and turns. I was rooting for the FMC the whole time to succeed. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.