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.

very interesting historical thriller/fiction about a historical scenario that could definitely use more about it. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

You can tell a lot of time and research were put into this story. The creative liberty taken however, is what I enjoyed most. The historical elements were all there but the imagination needed to make this a story of vengeance?!! *chef’s kiss* 👩🏾‍🍳

Sarah is the beloved goddaughter of Queen Victoria. She does everything well and is seen as the prime example of England being able to civilize what others considered savage. We follow Sarah (Ina) and her “actual thoughts” in this tale of vengeance and retribution. Sarah is smart and tactical. She plots her revenge like a well thought out game of chess, always a few steps ahead.

There was a bit of repetition we could have done without and moments where pacing was an issue for me but overall I enjoyed this ride!!

Can’t wait to add this beautiful cover to my shelf. Thank you Netgalley for the eArc. 🤎

The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley is a book that captured my interest immediately. There was just something about this one that made it so I just couldn't put it down.

Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally) is our fmc and living in England. As a ward of Queen Victoria, she's given some perks but it's clear that her life is not what she wants it to be. See, she was once the princess of the Egbado Clan and she wants revenge against all who have wronged her. When they invaded her homeland, stole her from those she loved, and essentially turned her into royal property, they took everything from her and she is determined to do the same to each and every person involved in her "transformation".

This book is full of twists and turns and if you like royal politics, this one is for you. Sally is right in the middle of a game that as a reader, I wasn't entirely sure she could win (considering who she was up against). As she aligns herself with a crime lord in London's underworld and starts trading favors, she also starts to have feelings for him but she knows she can never really trust him as he has his own motives for helping her. That said, as the queen realizes what Sally is up to, she plays the only card she can and arranges a marriage for her which now puts Sally on a schedule. Now, not only is Sally fighting for revenge but now she is faced with marrying a many who is much older than her and she knows she will never have the freedom she desires. Because of that, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her vengeance.

As I said, this book was one I couldn't put down. And when I finished, I immediately went and searched the internet for Sarah Bonetta Forbes' story. Raughley does such a fantastic job of weaving in the historical with the fiction and bringing the reader along for the ride. If you're looking for a new YA to pick up that has a cat-and-mouse feel to it with a lot of twists and turns, consider picking this one up. I'll definitely be picking up more from this author in the future.

Sara Raughley’s reimagination of Sarah Forbes Bonetta is gripping and wonderfully crafted. In this reimagination, Sarah Forbes Bonetta is an African Princess forcefully taken from her home, transported worldwide, and gifted to Queen Victoria.

From page one, The Queen’s Spade took me in for a wild ride and I loved every bit of it. Sally’s revenge story in Victorian England was right up my alley and a perfect read for those who love historical fiction and reimaginings. Although there were moments when I felt the pacing was slow, I still had an overall good time with this book. There are plenty of sources at the end of the novel as well and I love that Raughley provides that for us as readers.

4.5 rounded up.

Thank you to Netgalley & HarperCollins for the eARC for an honest review.

Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes wants revenge against the crown who stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britain’s mighty monarch, Queen Victoria. The story gripped me by the first page, and it didn't let me go ha. The writing in this book is full of depth, tells the tale of a young woman caught between her desire for vengeance and her longing for freedom, no matter the cost..

Historical fiction at its finest. Great characters and story, couldn't put it down. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Oh my gosh. I started reading this at 10PM, excited to read a couple chapters before bed. But I found this book impossible to put down once I started. The writing is just the right level of intense, while allowing us to connect with the main character. The schemes, the way the themes are addressed, the pacing—everything about this book was immaculate. I can't wait for more readers to find this story!

"Cannibalism was only an atrocity when we were imagined to be the cannibals."

I got approved for The Queen's Spade in the middle of the night and have not stopped reading since. This is quite possiblity one of the best books of 2025 and surpasses the idea of vengeance and black womanhood and what it means to property in all sense of the word. Sally is smart, stubborn, and vengeful and has every right to be. Raughley does not shy away Sally's pain and power and this book is just as explosive as it quiet and chilling. From the very first page you will be in Sally's corner, you will know her heart just as you know her rage and I cannot wait for the reaction when this book is out in the general public.

A fascinating and twisted dark historical fiction. If you like gritty thrillers blended with historical fiction this is the book for you.

I've always loved historical fiction and I feel The Queen's Spade is a great addition to the genre. Ina is a strong character with single minded determination to enact revenge on those who have wronged her, painted on the backdrop of Victorian England. This is the first novel I have read drawing attention to the cruelty and racism systemic in post slavery England, and in the policy and palaces of the monarchy, and I am eager to learn more regarding this part of history.

"The Queen's Spade" by Sarah Raughley is a gripping and masterfully crafted historical fiction that reimagines the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter. Set in 1862, the novel follows Sally's fierce quest for revenge against the British Crown, transforming her from a pawn of colonial power into a formidable player in a dangerous game of court politics, murder, and mystery. Raughley’s writing is both evocative and immersive, deftly capturing the emotional turmoil of a young woman caught between her desire for vengeance and her longing for freedom, no matter the cost.

Sally’s journey is captivating as she navigates the treacherous waters of royal intrigue, aligning herself with a captivating crime lord and manipulating the affections of Prince Albert. The tension builds beautifully, highlighting Sally’s intelligence and resilience while also exposing the darker underbelly of Victorian society. She quickly becomes the master of the game. Raughley brilliantly captures the intricacies of this high-stakes game, interweaving themes of colonialism, power, and the struggle for autonomy. The tension escalates as Sally navigates her dual roles and forms unexpected alliances. Some of these qualities make her a formidable and enthralling female character with enviable strength.

Raughley’s portrayal of the complex relationships at court feels authentic and nuanced, adding true depth to the narrative. So much so that I've been on a historical deep dive for days, learning everything I can about Sally.

The stakes rise dramatically as Sally faces the ultimate choice between revenge and freedom, creating an unforgettable climax. "The Queen's Spade" is a powerful tale of defiance and identity that resonates with today’s issues of autonomy and empowerment. This novel is a must-read for anyone who appreciates gripping historical narratives woven with emotion and depth. I absolutely loved it, and I want to read more and more about this incredible young woman. I'm grateful to Raughley for bringing Sally to life in such an inspiring way.


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One of my favorite quotes from the book (which may change once published): "They deserve nothing from us," I told him, holding my right palm over the flames, feeling its heat. "They deserve no praise for freeing us from the very conditions they set in place to begin with. They deserve no reward for dressing us in their clothes and parading us for their own benefit. I will not be beholden to them anymore. To anyone." I looked at him. "I was born free. I must be free." - Sally to her fiance Captain Davies

This line gave me goosebumps. There's so much more like this in this remarkable story. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

Thank you, #NetGalley, #SarahRaughley, and #HarperCollins, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #TheQueensSpade.

This book was truly a gripping and powerful read!
First and foremost, I absolutely adore the cover. Secondly, the intriguing blend of Bridgerton and The Count of Monte Cristo drew me in right away.
It certainly lived up to my expectations, as I immersed myself in Ina’s journey, witnessing her struggles and ultimately discovering her strength to seek revenge.
I was kept on my toes, unsure of how she would navigate her challenges.
I sincerely hope to see her again; our work is far from over.

3.5 ⭐️
Loved the character of Sarah.
Wonderfully plotted. The historical characters are accurately portrayed.
For those fans of Bridgerton who'd like a darker twist.

Note that this was more of a 3.75 star rating rather than a 4.
This one was really interesting because I had really only heard Sarah Forbes Bonetta's name before, but didn't remember many of the details. This was an excellent look into what her perspective would have been since we only ever see the colonist's perspectives. And honestly I supported Sally's choices all the way through this one.

I was given an ARC copy of this book. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins.

The Queen's Spade grabbed me from the first page and sucked me in to the wild ride that didn't stop until the end of the story. I absolutely gorged myself on this delicious tale of revenge in Victorian England. This one is the perfect read for anyone who loves historical fiction and an empowering tale. Highly recommend.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley is a thrilling fantasy filled with intrigue, powerful characters, and a richly developed world. Raughley expertly blends magic, political maneuvering, and unexpected twists in a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Perfect for fans of high-stakes fantasy with complex relationships and layered plots. A captivating read!

I found myself utterly taken with this novel at the outset: The Queen's Spade is as educational as it is entertaining, as determined to pull the curtain back on the true, dark history of Victorian Britain as it is in exploring an alternate fate for its real-life heroine. Raughley's take on Sarah Forbes Bonetta is so delightful. She's sort of a brat with a mind set on revenge — and rightly so! Every step of the way you understand exactly where she's coming from; Raughley's colorful, measured prose seethes with righteous fury, a fury that compels you to get to the end of Sally's crusade. Comparisons to The Count of Monte Cristo are definitely warranted, but at turns it also reminded me of The Woman King and The Crown. I'm not entirely sure that its Bridgerton-inspired bits totally worked all the time — Sally is juggling so many suitors, and sometimes I wished we could focus more on her friendships than on her potential romances — but when they did, they brought some great levity to this cycle of rage and paranoia.

I especially loved Raughley's dissection of the diaspora: what happens when people of color are expected to bend against white supremacy, how it changes us inside, makes us bitter and afraid and unsure. Those themes are really well-woven into this tale. At turns, I admittedly felt more intrigued by the world that Raughley was building rather than her protagonist, but that's only because of how well-researched this story was. It helps that everything eventually ties back to Sally, which keeps her from getting lost or overwhelmed in this dense world. Her revenge snaps the story back into focus time and again, especially in its back half.

Pacing does, admittedly, become an issue as Sally's quest goes on, and there is a bit of repetition in the prose towards the end. A few adjectives were reused in a way that felt distracting here and there, along with Sally's mantra — but the escalating intrigue and scandal kept the story from falling into a true rut. It's definitely worth sticking around to see exactly how this story ends. Overall I was really compelled by this and its bittersweet ending — and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to read an advanced copy!

This was a big no for me unfortunately. I love historical fiction but this was... something else. Maybe I'm a stick in the mud, maybe as a Black woman I should've like this, yet I didn't

I just simply couldn't get into this. I was always confused about what was happening and who everyone was and their importance. Starts out with a bang but then quickly gets boring and slow-paced.