Once a princess of the Egbado Clan (in modern day Nigeria), Sally is essentially kidnapped to be an example of the “humanitarian” efforts of the British in this historical thriller that is loosely based on the real Sarah “Sally” Bonetta Forbes. Raised as Queen Victoria’s goddaughter with limited freedom and self-determination, Sally vows her revenge on every person who played a role in her humiliation and captivity in England. Including the Queen herself. Playing this game though is dangerous and with Queen Victoria suspicious, Sally needs to exact her plans before time runs out and she’s forced to marry.

The Queen’s Spade is a fascinating blend of history and revenge fantasy. While most of the people in the novel are real, the plot is not. The real: Sally was an orphan whose family was killed by the Dahomey army and who was rescued by the British from being enslaved in the Atlantic slave trade. She was taken to England where she was renamed and became a ward of Queen Victoria. She was sent to a school in Sierra Leone before going back to England, then eventually marrying Captain Davies, who is mentioned in the book. Beyond that the details are created by Raughley.

It is not difficult to imagine that life was not pleasant for Sally in England, faced with racism and being presented as an example of how the British could “civilize” Africans. The line between truth and fiction with the characters is sometimes hard to find (was Queen Victoria really that cruel? How was her interaction with Sally?) but Sally herself is given power in making decisions for herself.

Raughley not only examines the racism of the Victorian era but the classism, making for a powerful if sometimes uneven novel.

Thank you Harper Collins Children’s Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love a good historical fiction based on fact. You can tell the author took a lot of time and research with this one.
From the political intrigue to the twists and turns, I really enjoyed this one! This was a great YA book that I will be recommending to a lot of people this month.

Inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, the African goddaughter of Queen Victoria, The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley is a historical thriller with one killer revenge plot.

In 1800s England, Sarah Forbes Bonetta plots her revenge against the royal family that ordered her family and close friend killed, and kidnapped her, only for her to be used as a token for Queen Victoria. She will stop at nothing to take down the Queen and her associates.

A story heavily focused on colonialism and its impact, The Queen’s Spade was honestly one of my favorite revenge-focused stories I have read in a very long time. I was rooting for Sarah every step of the way, not only in said revenge but also in the steamy romance budding between her and a collaborator in her schemes.

This story is gritty and endlessly interesting, and Sarah is an incredibly savvy saboteur. I would be shocked if anyone wasn’t compelled by her as a protagonist.

Sarah is certainly a badass, and also emotionally complex. We really get a well-rounded look into her feelings throughout the novel, which I think a lot of similar books struggle to do well. She isn’t a cold blooded killer; she is a young Black woman scored by the empire and ready to give it a taste of its own medicine.

I am definitely going to be diving into research about the real Sarah Forbes Bonetta after reading this story. I admit I only have a pretty basic level of knowledge on this era in England, but rest assured I will be learning more.

I can think of very little I did not enjoy in this story. The only thing that comes to mind, which in reality doesn’t change my feelings, is this reads more adult (or new adult) than young adult in both tone and language. I kept forgetting this was supposed to be a YA novel throughout.

Marketed as Belladonna meets Bridgerton, if you love a thriller with a solid revenge plot, discussions of colonialism and racism, and an incredible main character, The Queen’s Spade is most certainly for you. Please go read this book, it is honestly so, so good!

4.5/5 Stars

This is an amazing historical thriller that takes place amongst the glitter and glamour of Victorian high society but also delves into the dark heart of England's imperialism to surface the racism, sexism, and downright evil that its people are desperate to deny. It follows the story of Queen Victoria's goddaughter Sally, who the world sees as a privileged African princess but who is traumatized by her parents' murder, her subsequent "salvation" aka kidnapping by the English, her friend's murder by her "saviors," her physical and emotional debasement, and loss of her language and culture. As Sally seeks to gain revenge on those who wronged her as a child, she encounters an entire cast of fascinating characters whose varied responses to British Imperialism serve as a foil for her own quest.

I rate this masterfully crafted work of historical fiction among my top 5 works. I could not put this book down; there were plenty of sleepless nights, and interrupted work days. The characters were easy to imagine, and were well developed. Woven into the story were themes of self awareness and loyalty.

I will say that there were parts of this story in which I had to deal with the realities of life, and going to a predominantly white college / in a predominantly white town.

Few people may have heard of Queen Victoria’s goddaughter, Sally Forbes. Even fewer are aware of her backstory, a young African princess taken from her home to be raised in “civilized” England. The Queen’s Spade is a historical fictional account from Sally’s perspective, focusing on how it must feel to be taken away from everything you’ve ever known and to know that the narrative everyone wants to hear may not be your truth. And throw in courtly intrigues, interpersonal maneuvering, and good old fashioned revenge, Sarah Raughley takes the reader on a ride that twists and turns them all around until they aren’t sure which way is straight.

Sally Forbes Bonnetta is a force to be reckoned with. A young Yoruba princess who was "saved" from her home and presented to the Queen of England as a gift, Sally soars leaps and bounds above many of her counterparts in intellect, sociability, wit, and so much more. When we meet Sally, she is freshly 18-years-old, angry, hurt, vengeful, smart, and calculated. She has taken on the task of bringing the greatest harm possible to those who humiliated her in her childhood, shame and scandal. We follow Sally as she does everything she said she would and more. We experience the love, longing, friendship, and betrayal that Sally does, and we want for her what she wants for herself--freedom and justice.

I really enjoyed learning the farrrr too hidden story of Sally Forbes Bonnetta. It was a beautiful expression to honor not only her life but those like her and kin to her.

I will say, I did get a little lost in the plot at times, and it became easy to forget what her main goal was. I also don't think that the title was as significant to the story as I thought it'd be. The characters were all but insignificant though! I loved how diverse and dynamic every character was in this story, including Sally's love interests, enemies, and best friend. All in all, Sarah Raughley did a great job of developing a very well rounded, likeable main character that defied odds and learned to choose herself. That, paired with the self-actualization in the face of trauma, really made this story one I'd recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Sarah Raughley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this riveting story!

I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction because for the most part it makes me mad seeing what my ancestors were put through. It really seems like a content warning because I get frustrated that this had to happen to them. But this one book helped ease the sting a bit. Watching her get her revenge was so cathartic lol

Ok so these idiots literally took her from her home in Africa, brought her to England, and then acted like she should have been grateful that they were doing things like putting honey in her hair and naming her after the ship she arrived on. I will never understand this mentality. So I already knew this was going to be a book that made me mad, so I had to give myself some grace and try not to get too mad. Idk how much was artistic liberty because I had never heard of Sarah before, but I appreciate the way that Raughley portrayed her. I definitely thought of wanting to do some of the same things to those people for her lol

I don’t always love historical fiction because of how they make me feel, but I love them for what they make me learn. This one taught me about a person I never knew about. I fell down a rabbit hole of things that she did and things that happened to her after I found out who she was. She was so smart. I hated how the Queen used her like that. I found a couple of sites that gave a look at her real story. I enjoyed learning more about her.

The story itself was ok. I loved the way it opened with the stairs thing. I think if the rest of the story had been like that I would have been fine. But there was nothing more that made it like that? She was fighting with people yes, but they were not anywhere near as smart as she was? It almost didn’t seem fair. They discounted her and it was annoying. But because of that, it was annoying because I got bored. And then there was the part that was a real trigger for me. I lost an aunt and almost lost an uncle to ODs. Because of this I almost DNFed this because of her uncle. There was nothing there that showed him doing the act, but it was shown that he was using and how he acted. I couldn’t do it. It’s just a me thing. So don’t take this rating to heart.

I loved this in some ways and didn’t in others. But I will most definitely be telling people about this one. I can’t wait for more people to read this and meet Sarah. I hope to help make sure people learn more about who she is.

A historical thriller mixed in with the Count of Monte Cristo and inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria's African goddaughter. Revenge, murder, and freedom are all on the line as a young princess is kidnapped from home and taken as a "gift" to the British Queen herself, Queen Victoria. After witnessing her friend be murdered and being humiliated herself, Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally) has spent years plotting her revenge against her captors... memorizing their names and plotting their demise. While she might look like the perfect transformed princess and goddaughter of the queen, beneath her dignified and royal manor lies a seething young woman who will get her hands as dirty as possible to exact revenge against those who took her. Sally has spent years forced to endure degrading and racist slights against her, yet as she is now 19 it is time to put her plans into motion starting with the captains who stole her. Having made herself an integral part of the queen's inner circle she will manipulate, kill, and frame anyone she needs to in order to finally get rid of her biggest enemy of all: the Queen of Britain. Along for her journey is a handsome crime lord with his own agenda and Sally must also face off against another person who seeks revenge against her... with so many schemes, so many moving plots and one wrong move could cost her everything she's worked for.... the game has begun and Sally must find a way to exact revenge right before the Queen forces her to be married off.... with a ticking clock and enemies and betrayals at every turn, the bodies are going to start dropping. I am a huge fan of revenge stories and the Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all time favorite books ever. When I first read the premise of this book I was absolutely intrigued by the fact that it was inspired by a real life figure and honestly this book blew it out of the park. From the first chapter in the story gripes you and has you anxiously awaiting the next twist and turn of the story. I loved Sally, I loved her viciousness, I loved her strength and just how far she would go. This was a fantastic read that really captivates you and has you holding on until the last chapter, hell I could have even gone with a whole 10 more chapters or even a sequel to see where Sally goes (even if the author decided to fictionalize the ending). I really had so much fun reading this and would highly recommend it for fans of revenge stories and political thrillers~!

Release Date: January 14,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙙𝙚
by Sarah Raughley
416 pages
January 14, 2025

A young lady can take only so many injuries before humiliation and insult forge a vow of revenge. . . .

The year is 1862 and murderous desires are simmering in England. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally), once a princess of the Egbado Clan, desires one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown and its system of colonial “humanitarianism,” which stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. From military men to political leaders, she’s vowed to ruin all who’ve had a hand in her afflictions. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britain’s mighty monarch, Queen Victoria herself.

Taking down the Crown means entering into a twisted game of court politics and manipulating the Queen’s inner circle—even if that means aligning with a dangerous yet alluring crime lord in London’s underworld and exploiting the affections of Queen Victoria’s own son, Prince Albert, as a means to an end. But when Queen Victoria begins to suspect Sally’s true intentions, she plays the only card in Victorian society that could possibly cage Sally once again: marriage. Because if there’s one thing Sally desires more than revenge, it’s her freedom. With time running out and her wedding day looming, Sally’s vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly as she’s faced with the striking revelation that the price for vengeance isn’t just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.

Inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, The Queen’s Spade is a lush and riveting historical thriller for fans of This Ravenous Fate, A Dowry of Blood, and Grave Mercy.

Excellent young adult historical fiction drama - I love reading historical fiction and then researching the true events. I suspect this will enthrall teens and mature middle grade readers and they will want to learn more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have rarely felt this type of conflicting emotions about a book as I have for The Queen’s Spade. On the one hand, it is a story based on almost exclusively real people and incorporates real events. On the other, it is not a genre I typically read (historical fiction, maybe thriller?) and so it was a bit difficult for me to get into for the majority of the book - the first two thirds of which felt miserably slow, picking up slightly at the end. Add to it that the main character (Omoba Ina/Sarah “Sally” Forbes Bonetta) isn’t particularly likable and this was a tough read for me. I’ve rated it as I have mostly because of the obvious amount of research the author put into it, how intriguing Ina is as a real-life person, and the themes of racism that, rightfully, make us white people uncomfortable while reading it.

That was actually what I liked most about this book - being faced with some harsh realities of my own about why I was uncomfortable reading certain parts and why I did not like Ina as she’s been written. At the end of the day, I never question who the villain is in this book (literally all the white people, some moreso than others) but I do think more care could have been taken to bring more dimensionality to Ina’s character, instead of being portrayed as a self-absorbed and oftentimes hypocritical victim of white supremacy with her sights set solely on revenge in the most ridiculous of ways. So, I usually found myself rolling my eyes at her antics while also hating the people she was conspiring against. It’s a weird feeling to spend so much time reading a book and find you really don’t like a single character. But, even still, this is certainly a unique way of telling a reimagining of real events and I’m glad I read it. If nothing else, it introduced me to the real person it is based on and I’ve had a great time learning more about her life.

The Queen's Spade reclaims history the way Everett reclaims Huck Finn in James: filled with wanting, rage, and violence. This is historical fiction based upon the lives of real people though, and I find personally this brand of historical fiction feels uncomfortable for me. It is fiction, of course, but while I'm sure Queen Victoria very well could have been as horrible as she is painted here, I felt kind of icky reading some parts of this, which made it more difficult to read than I expected. I didn't really like Ina, and I wanted to be in her corner the whole time. She is a terrible friend though, as purely self-serving as she accuses everyone else to be. The writing is at times dense with introspection, but the characters were interesting, if unlikeable. The true history of the side characters was a very fun deep dive into a society I didn't know before.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC!

Sarah Bonetta Forbes was once royalty in her own right, sadly as a child she is taken to England to be presented to the queen only to become her “beloved” goddaughter. But being the Queen’s god daughter is not nearly as fabulous as it sounds. In fact in order to maintain the façade Sarah has to give up everything she holds dear, but she isn’t willing to sacrifice who she is without a fight. In secret Sarah starts to get her revenge on those who took her life away from her. Will she be able to finish her revenge before she is forced into marriage?
This is an interesting book. I love that Sarah is such a strong character. Her personality and thirst for revenge jump off the page. The book does lag in some areas but does eventually pick back up. I think that readers will enjoy her book and her journey for revenge.
Thank you to HaperCollins Children’s Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

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.