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The Queen's Spade
Sarah Raughley
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“You will bow before this queen.”
—Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of Night of the Witch
“Revenge and justice have never been so satisfying!”
—Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Lunar Chronicles
In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, The Queen’s Spade meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.
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.
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Posts about this title from Bookish AfroLatina's Library
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • May 16 2025
It’s time for my April reading wrap-up! I read 10 books last month & here are my thoughts:
Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi Star Child is a fantastic genre-bending book for introducing young people to Octavia E. Butler’s life & works! I loved reading Butler’s quotes and seeing copies of her actual writing in these pages. In between the stories & quotes, Zoboi brought creativity, flow, & imagination to Butler’s life with poetry. Every time I read one of her books, I’m inspired to learn more about her life and understand her mind. Yes, I could just read her Wikipedia page but this was so much better. This book would be an amazing addition to every library and school!
The Windweaver’s Storm (TJ Young & The Orisha #2) The 2nd book in the TJ Young & The Orishas series is action-packed! TJ has a lot to handle between trying to uphold the promise he made to a god, grieving his sister, starting a new school, & his growing feelings for his best friend. You know, normal teen stuff! I loved getting to know TJ and his friends better while exploring this magical school in Lagos. It was an entertaining continuation of the series, for sure. The only thing that bothered me a bit was how the only disabled character in the book was treated. Aside from that, I think this is a great book and look forward to seeing how TJ processes the final events of it in the next book.
Reviews continue in the comments...
#BookReviews #BookRecommendations #BlackBooks #Biography #YAFantasy #BlackRomance #Romantasy #HistoricalFiction #Activism
10 books
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Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Apr 14 2025
[Hi friends! I am kind of a reading machine this month, but I don't want to jinx it. Still, I want to chat about the 5 books I finished reading as well as what I'm reading right now, and what I'm hoping to read next.\ \ \ \ I finally read Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler byIbi Zoboi and it was beautiful! This book is a short biography that incorporates poetry, Butler's own words, information about her life growing up, and images of her writings. I connect with her lifelong curiosity and experiences of isolation as someone interested in learning more.\ \ \ \ I also finished reading book two of the TJ Young & The Orishas series: The Windweaver's Storm by Antoine Bandele. This one was even more action-packed than The Gatekeeper's Staff. It was a super cool story which built so much momentum towards the end that I was on the edge of my seat a few times! There was only one aspect of the book that bothered me which was how the disabled character's story played out. [I won't say more because of spoilerssss]\ \ \ \ Rebekah Weatherspoon's Cowboys of California series has had me in a chokehold all month! A Cowboy to Remember gave that classic Hallmark plot, at first, and then dove into a heated love story with the righteous ending I craved. If the Boot Fits amped that up a bit with more hilarious observations and an opp we all love to hate. There must be something in the water at this ranch in Cali because these men are chef's kiss (pun intended). I'm planning to get into the third book, A Thorn in the Saddle, this week.\ \ \ \ A couple nights ago, I finallllyyyyyy finished reading my advanced reader's copy of Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana and HOT DAMN!! This is such a great book, y'all. It's sexy, adventurous, mysterious, and more. Basically, this book is epic. I can't wait for everyone to read it. If you haven't already, you should request this book for purchase at your local library and/or pre-order it yourself.\ \ \ \ It was hard to move on but here I am reading two different books:\ \
- The Hero's Equinox (TJ Young & The Orishas, #3) by Antoine Bandele on E-book.\ \
- The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley\ \ \ \ \ I spent some time today organizing my other advanced reader's copies because I'm behind on those deadlines. (I am my own problem, okay?!) With that in mind, I'm hoping to have time to read the following books this month:\ \
- No Ordinary Love by by Myah Ariel \ \
- An Abolitionist's Handbook: 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World by Patrisse Cullors\ \
- Blood & Brujas by Mikayla D. Hornedo\ \ \ What are y'all reading these day?](https://bookish-afrolatina.binderybooks.com/item/bOGeAUhgEMtVl4jFBR8O/)
11 books
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Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Feb 20 2025
Here are 24 books I’m extremely excited about in 2025:
🌟 The Summer I Ate The Rich by Maika and Maritza Moulite That title, though!! 🌟 A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu Mandanna I loved her 1st book & need more coziness. 🌟 The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas The drama of this cover is drawing me in! 🌟 The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley I’m fascinated by the concept of this book. 🌟 Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham I don’t even know the plot, but yesss 🌟 Malinalli by Veronica Chapa I love retellings of misunderstood historical figures! 🌟 A Tropical Rebel gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera Currently reading this & it is worth the hype. 🌟 (S)kin by Ibi Zoboi Contemporary Fantasy. Novel in verse. Caribbean Folklore. Nuff said. 🌟 If We Were A Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal It looks so freaking cute! 🌟 Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez I love this author’s work & this sounds intriguing. 🌟 Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi Emezi is often an auto-read for me. 🌟 I Accidentally Hooked Up With A Vampire by Jessica Cage The 1st book in this series was amazing so count me in. 🌟 Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi My youthful obsession with Ancient Egypt is calling to me. 🌟 The Wind On Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz I love the idea of a Yoruban deity studying in New Orleans! 🌟 Lore of the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana Looking forward to continuing the adventure! 🌟 Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria Wrapping up the series 🌟 Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch A Black sapphic romance w/ friends to rivals to lovers vibes? Yes. 🌟 Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan I’ve been waiting so long for this! 🌟 Bones at the Crossroads by LaDarrion Williams The ending of book 1 had me ready to see where this goes. 🌟 Meet Me At The Crossroads by Megan Giddings I like this author’s writing. 🌟 I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming You already know. 🌟 Bemused by Farrah Rochon The Muses origin story?! *gasp* 🌟 These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban “A vengeful female spirit w/ a thirst for justice” sounds fantastic! 🌟 The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno I’ve loved almost everything by her.
What new releases are y'all excited for?
23 books
Posts about this book from across Bindery
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • May 16 2025
It’s time for my April reading wrap-up! I read 10 books last month & here are my thoughts:
Reviews continue in the comments...
#BookReviews #BookRecommendations #BlackBooks #Biography #YAFantasy #BlackRomance #Romantasy #HistoricalFiction #Activism
10 books
1
Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Apr 19 2025
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in which i rob HarperCollins (without remorse) once again.
SHELVES AND THE CITY HAUL EEP!
📚 books mentioned: - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - (S)kin by Ibi Zoboi - The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill - The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley - Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
many many thanks to @harpercollins @harpervoyagerus @epicreads @avonbooks @williammorrowbooks
#shelvesandthecity #shelvesandthecityla #bookhaul #bookunboxing #harpercollins #rfkuang #katabasis #bookbrandtrip #bookishbrandtrip #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram
Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Apr 14 2025
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R&R Reads\ \ Ebony\ \ • Apr 14 2025
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\ \ Join for free or login](https://randrreads.binderybooks.com/item/YhwzeBQbntr0SvaHZce8/)
🍃✨Shelves and the City Book Haul🏙️📚🤩
🍃✨Shelves and the City Book Haul🏙️📚
🤩I think I got the best haul! what do you guys think?
🍃bought Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins at The Ripped Bodice 🍃the rest were gifted
#bookstagram #books #booklover #fantasybooks #romancebooks #bookhaul #book #wickedthemusical #wicked
12 books
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Bookish AfroLatina's Library\ \ Gabby\ \ • Feb 20 2025
Here are 24 books I’m extremely excited about in 2025:
What new releases are y'all excited for?
23 books