The Queen's Spade is one of the most moving reads i have ever read. It is gripping in it's intensity and at times unbelievable, yet, knowing the plot is possible all the same. Although cheering for Ina seemed unthinkable, cheering for the queen was just as disturbing. The Queen's Spade will leave you feeling if this is was what our ancestors suffered and could be still suffering, then this world needs a wake up call!!!!

“The Queen’s Spade” is a historical fiction book by Sarah Raughley. This book is based on Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who I’d heard about but knew very little about. This book filled in a lot of information - and Ms. Raughley’s list of sources she used was wonderful. I really liked how this book opened - a wonderful revenge arc. As gripping as that beginning was, the story slowed down and, for me, took a long time to become as gripping again. There were also a number of characters that I felt a list of who was who would’ve been a great addition. I think it was (and is) a great idea in bringing Ms. Bonetta’s story alive for modern audiences, but it didn’t always work in a way that I found an enjoyable read.

The historical romance/fiction genre works for many readers because authors provide a fantasy world. It feels distant that readers feel comfortable and settle into it treating it as fiction. They get swept up in the glamour, the marriage mart, and ultimately love stories filled with grand gestures. Believe me I love a historical fiction/romance. But I read and consume the content aware of the history constantly left off the pages. I think about the oppressive systems. The tough topics of: slavery, indentured labour, violent racism. So much more rarely touched in the genre, but it's starting to change.

That is why I love The Queen’s Spade. While Sarah Raughley dabbles in fiction for this book, her character is real. Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an African princess forcefully taken from her home, transported across the world just to be gifted to Queen Victoria. A human being treated as a gift to a queen, think about that.

A story lost from history books and conversation given new life by an author writing with such fire. Words so sharp that they will resonate. The legacy that Raughley weaves in with fiction is done with care but also infused with a gripping revenge arc. Including the character of Rui was sublime and allowed the narrative to fully expand. We got to see two characters plotting, scheming, and dominate.

Raughley, lists numerous sources at the end of the book (I love an author that does extensive research) and it’s a great place after The Queen’s Spade to learn more about Sarah Forbes Bonetta's life. Something I highly recommend after completing this book.

This was a highly anticipated read for me, and I was hooked from the first chapter. Out in 2025, you don't want to miss this. Thank you so much to Sarah, and HarperCollins for providing an ARC.

Yes. 1,000 times yes. Everything about this is a yes for me. The MC, the time period, the revenge plot…all of it. This book did not disappoint.

From the first sentence, I was pulled in. I enjoyed how it started and how Sally was stopping at nothing to get her revenge. But it started to get slow for me as the story picked up. I eventually found myself reading with my eyes and not my brain. I wanted this book to just highlight the entire plot instead of everyone else. Speaking of everyone else, there were so many characters in this book that it was hard for me to keep up. But anyhow, maybe I can revisit this book later on but I know for now it just didn’t work for me.

This book wasn’t for me. I felt like there was a really good plot, with good historical information. But the writing just didn’t work for me. I felt confused and had a hard time following.

Incredibly full of rage.

I remember learning about Sally when I was in fifth grade and had been naively confused as to why her story was presented as a happy ending. And maybe it wasn't, but I was ten and had not yet learned to read critically.

Here, Ina is glorious. Here, she is hurting, here she is planning. Here she is alive, she has a personality, and she is able to take risks and speak up for herself, and be herself, and it is beautiful and hurtful and a reminder of the horrors that her historical counterpart and the other "wards of the empire" went through. I think many of my students would appreciate this.

A well researched and profound revenge novel that brings an overlooked historical figure to vivid life.

This book is absolutely incredible. Smart, inventive, and full of raw emotion. I'm a huge fan of Sarah Raughley's, and this is one of my favorite books by her!