This book. Y’all. This book. This twisted historical fiction thriller is all about revenge. Sally is Queen Victoria’s “African goddaughter” but in reality she is an Egdabo Clan princess kidnapped from Africa. In The Queen’s Spade, Sally focuses her completely self on seeking revenge on those who kidnapped her, including Queen Victoria. And Sally weaves such a twisted web of deceit. I could not put this down, except when I was searching for the true history of events and people included in the book. Phew! Loved it!

The premise of this sounded so good, but I struggled to get into it - the character development lacked for me. That being said, there was lots of imagination that went into this - definitely historical fiction with a twist!

Thank you HarperCollins children’s book for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book starts off really strong for me. I was instantly drawn in by Sally’s plot of revenge. However as the story went along I became disengaged and the story did not end the way I anticipated it to. Maybe there’ll be a part 2. Nevertheless I think it would be an excellent and entertaining story for a young person to delve into the history of this historical character. However, reading this book as an adult, it felt somewhat flat for me.

This superb novel weaves together history and suspense. It is a revenge plot designed and carried out in the court of Victoria where a stolen African Queen plots and implements her revenge on the men and women responsible for her capture.
With such exciting twists and turns set amongst the court of one of England's longest reigning monarchs this book easily transports the reader into the back alleys and throne rooms. With action aplenty it will appeal to readers looking for intrigue and adventure and history buffs alike.

DNF at 20%
Idk this book was just flat for me at this point and I didn't feel like continuing. It has potential to me so I might have to come back later.

The premise of the book was intriguing. I was drawn into the book immediately trying to figure out the main characters back story and how she was going to get her revenge. I think too many elements were thrown into the story to be wrapped up in a satisfying way. Started it with a bang and ended on a whimper. Was slow to finish past the midway point.

I found this historical fiction very interesting with how it reimages the life of Sara Forbes Bonetta during her time as a ward of Queen Victoria. The story blends elements of thriller and drama, chronicling the struggles of a young girl torn away from everything she knows, forced to adapt to a foreign culture, and subjected to abuse as she is forced to conform to their standards to survive.

The novel delves into Sara’s thoughts and her quest for revenge, and there were moments while reading when I wondered if some of these emotions and actions could have happened in reality. I found myself intrigued by the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction, and at times, it felt as though I were reading an autobiography.

While the story was engaging, I rated this book slightly lower because I found myself easily distracted at times. I will say that this genre is not my usual preference, but I still think it’s a well-crafted and thought-provoking read, and I would recommend it to others.

Additionally, I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook alongside the eARC, and the narrator did an outstanding job bringing the story to life.
A special thank you to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins for the ARC copy. My review is entirely voluntary.

The Queen's Spade is a well-done historical fiction novel that is a speculative reimagining the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta . We follow Sally's as she plots revenge against the monarchy, this includes politics, murder, and mystery. The writing is thoroughly engaging from the start, showcasing Sally's hurt and anger. We see the dynamic nature of her character and how she moves through this world and fights for justice and freedom. It was a well-told story. 3.75 STARS rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I loved the imperialism/anti-colonialist themes of the book! It was so fun watching Ina ("Sally") enact her revenge on all the people who have wronged her. Seeing how entrenched the systemic racism was in Victorian society was really difficult to read about. I found Queen Victoria's white savior complex particularly difficult to see especially when it led to erasing Ina's name and identity and replacing it with a more palatable alternative. I was rooting for her so hard and was cheering for her every time she got to strike back at the people that had taken so much from her. I found it a little tricky to keep track of the cast of characters because there were so many people at court but once I got into the story I recognized the main players. The political scheming was so satisfying to read about! If you're looking for a female rage book this is a fantastic one to pick up.

Rage, vengeance, and calculated mayhem are unleashed in the upper circles of Queen Victoria’s British Empire when Omoba Ina takes the upper hand by any means necessary.

✨ Book Review: THE QUEEN”S SPADE by Sarah Raughley ✨

♠️ Book Synopsis: This historical fiction thriller is inspired by the life of African princess, Omoba Ina, known in England as Sarah Forbes Bonetta, and who was adopted as goddaughter and ward of Queen Victoria. Though is adopted into the upper crust of English society, Omoba Ina, Princess of the Yoruba tribe’s Egbado Clan, is still seen as “other,” treated without dignity, and subject to racism. Yet, her spirit isn’t broken. She’s only now getting started.

♠️ My Take: Rage, retribution, and revenge drive this storyline. Andy while there are moments of romance, the plot is more of a giant chess game of moving players and various twists and turns. The various characters were at times difficult to keep straight, but the suspense of it was largely satisfying and I loved the glimpse into Victorian England and the Crown’s colonial relationships.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

What I liked: The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley is a brilliant work of historical fiction inspired by the real-life story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta. It's a gripping and emotional journey through revenge, resilience, and complex power dynamics, and the author masterfully blends historical facts with vivid fiction. The author did her research, and it shines in every page. I am not a huge historical fan reader, but I read them, and I learn something new when I do. The story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta was one I had no clue about. I appreciated that I couldn't know what fact or fiction was in this story, though I will probably look her up and find that out. That is the great thing about historical fiction; usually, there is a note from the author sharing what they changed, but I learned new information.
What I wanted more of: I wanted to know how her life played out once she had played her hand of revenge. I was also torn between her being with Rui, who she loved, or the man from her childhood in a wild twist of Queen Victoria orchestrating her to be married. I always want to know how things played out once everything has happened in the story.
Final Verdict: If you are a fan of well-researched historical fiction and are interested in black history or stories written by black authors, then The Queen’s Spade is a good book selection. It will open your eyes to a new side of British Royalty and the terrible hand that the adopted wards of Queen Victoria were dealt.

This is a compelling historical fiction story that rewrites history to give Sally (Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter) the revenge she may have wanted. It is evident that this book was well researched. Although darker themes and revenge are not my favorite, this was still an engrossing read. Full of suspense, action, political intrigue, and even romance, this book is worth checking out.

“I’m no heroine. I feel no inner struggle over any supposed codes of ethics, nor have I lost sleep over the ‘wrongness’ of my decisions.”

A tale of righteous feminine rage, revenge, and retribution - with just a dash of romance thrown in - The Queen’s Spade is a historical fiction novel that isn’t to be missed. Inspired by the real tale of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, “goddaughter” and ward of Queen Victoria after being stolen from West Africa, we follow her journey of revenge against everyone who has wronged her since she was captured and brought to England. Forced to adapt and become exactly how the white British society has decided to mold her, she’s still discriminated against for her skin color - seen as a curiosity, and not a person.

Expected to be grateful for the “opportunity” to be a treasured showpet to the queen, rather than a ruler due respect in her own right, Ina/Sarah begins to enact her carefully crafted revenge against everyone who has disrespected her - and caused the death of her childhood friend on the journey to England. Starting off with a (well-deserved) murder, we follow Ina as she recounts the humiliation and pain wrought upon her for the last decade. We watch as she cleverly gains power and independence in a world that doesn’t wish her to have any, while she uses those same wits to try to crumble the very empire that has entrapped her. With a forced marriage in the works cutting her timeline down significantly, we struggle with Ina as she balances trying to avoid an unwanted marriage, as well as keeping her plans intact.

I didn’t know anything about this aspect of history, and this book made me want to research further into her life to learn more. While loosely inspired, rather than a wholly accurate account, while reading this novel you can tell a great deal of research went into its creation.

Perfect for fans of historical fiction and feminine rage, The Queen’s Spade is a journey into British colonialism and hypocrisy, and a woman filled with anger at her unjust treatment and her fight to seek justice.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this e-ARC.

The Queen's Spade is also inspired by a true story. This historical thriller recounts the story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta (Sally), Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, who was once Yoruba princess Omoba Ina, enslaved by the Dahomey Kingdom, until she was abducted by the British as a present for Queen Victoria in 1850. Fast forward to 1862 and eighteen-year-old Sally is plotting her revenge on all those involved in her debasement, enlisting the help of an East End crime boss. Among those she targets are Prince Albert, Captain Forbes and his men, who kidnapped her, and Queen Victoria, herself. When the Queen begins to suspect Sally of her friends’ humiliation and ruin, she betroths her to Captain Davies, who will marry her and take her back to Africa. Her abduction, which was meant to show the benevolence of post abolition Britain by transforming Omoba Ina into the lady “Sally”, actually points out an unjust society. Sally is constantly reminded of her friend’s warning, “Their love for you is conditional.” Needless-to-say, her desire for vengeance is not looked upon kindly. This is the first book in a duology.

This book was really great! I loved the setting and the plot of this book! The story was really fun! I would highly recommend!

I'm not really an historical fiction reader but I really enjoyed this story and would def check out more books by this author. I had no idea this book was based on a real person which caused me to go down the rabbit hole so to speak and find out everything I could about Sarah. I did have some slight issues with the pacing but overall I was very impressed with this story.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

The Queen's Spade is a historical fiction novel that reimagines the life of Sarah Forbes Bonetta. As a young girl, Sarah, originally known as Omoba Ina, is forcibly taken from her home and brought to England, where she becomes a ward of Queen Victoria.

The story takes place in 1862 as Ina/Sarah plots and enacts her revenge against everyone involved in her kidnapping, including Queen Victoria herself. Navigating the British court, enduring microaggressions, and confronting a foe from her past, Sarah methodically carries out her plans.

This novel was action-packed and utterly addictive. I’m almost ashamed to admit I wasn’t familiar with Sarah Forbes Bonetta’s history or the existence of Queen Victoria’s wards. Raughley brings a bold and compelling character to life. Sarah, against all odds, remains steadfast in her mission. One aspect I particularly appreciated was how Raughley doesn’t shy away from depicting the racism Sarah experiences at the hands of the British Empire. The novel also engages in discussions about Britain’s abolition of slavery and how, in contrast to the U.S., this made Britain seem more progressive—while still wielding its imperial power in oppressive ways.

What would have strengthened the novel for me was a deeper exploration of Sarah’s motivation for revenge earlier in the story. While she references the death of a close loved one as the catalyst for her plan, we aren’t introduced to this character or given enough insight into their relationship. This missing emotional depth made it harder to fully connect with her driving force. However, as the novel progresses, we clearly see how she is treated and how powerless she feels playing the role Queen Victoria has written for her.

If you enjoy historical fiction, rooting for the underdog, stories of people of color fighting back against systems of power, or narratives centered on strong Black women, this is a book you’ll want to pick up.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley.

This is the kind of book I love experiencing! We have a very independent, strong-willed woman taking the lead, sharing her thoughts and accomplishing great things. This story is based on real life events with creative liberty added into the mix. I really enjoyed this overall!

Don't you just love a story filled with vengeance done well?

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for this eARC!

What a brilliant revenge tale! Aside from a small lull in the latter third of Part Two I thought the pacing was nice. Sally's voice was written wonderfully. It was very engaging and I'm happy I was able to read it!

I was initially excited to read A Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley, as I’m familiar with the story of Queen Victoria’s goddaughter and was intrigued by the idea of a thrilling spin on her history. However, I found the beginning to be a bit slow and somewhat confusing, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. While the premise is compelling, the execution didn’t quite draw me in as I had hoped.

That said, readers who enjoy historical fiction with a unique twist may find this story more appealing. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.