Review Detail

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.