The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley is a historical fiction novel that masterfully blends themes of power, revenge, and identity. Written by Nigerian-Canadian author Sarah Raughley, this novel explores the life of Omoba Ina, a brilliant and ambitious young woman who navigates the complexities of Victorian-era England as an outsider. The book is a fascinating reimagining of real historical figures, shedding light on colonialism, race, and gender struggles in the 19th century.
Set in 1862, the story follows Ina as she embarks on a dangerous journey of revenge against those who wronged her. Through gripping prose and compelling character development, The Queen’s Spade transports readers to the luxurious yet treacherous world of the British aristocracy, where intrigue and deception lurk around every corner.
Raughley’s writing is both lyrical and immersive, making this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction, strong female protagonists, and stories that challenge historical narratives. With themes of agency, justice, and resilience, The Queen’s Spade offers a fresh perspective on the life of a woman who refuses to be defined by the limitations imposed upon her.
Book Summary Contents
- 1 The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Main Characters
- 2 What Are The Questions The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Answers?
- 3 The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Details & Statistics
- 4 The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Quotes
- 5 The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Table Of Contents
- 6 The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley – Complete Book Summary
- 7 About the Author: Sarah Raughley
- 8 Attachments & References
The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Main Characters
- Omoba Ina – The protagonist, a brilliant and vengeful young woman determined to reclaim her agency.
- Queen Victoria – A powerful figure whose influence plays a key role in Ina’s life.
- Mr. Bellamy – A manipulative aristocrat with a dark past.
- Vale – A complex character involved in Ina’s plans.
- Captain Forbes – A historical figure connected to Ina’s past.
- Prince Albert – A royal presence in the story, adding intrigue and tension.
- Rui – A mysterious figure whose role becomes clearer as the novel unfolds.
What Are The Questions The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Answers?
- How does Victorian England view people of African descent?
- What role does Queen Victoria play in Ina’s life?
- How does the novel portray colonialism and imperialism?
- What are the major themes explored in the book?
- Who are Ina’s primary adversaries?
- How does Ina use intelligence and strategy to navigate society?
- What significance does the title The Queen’s Spade hold?
- How does gender affect Ina’s experiences?
- What challenges does Ina face in high society?
- What are the main conflicts in the novel?
- How does Ina’s past shape her decisions?
- What role does romance play in the novel?
- How does Sarah Raughley blend history with fiction?
- What are the key turning points in Ina’s journey?
- How does Ina’s character evolve throughout the story?
- What historical figures appear in the novel?
- What commentary does the novel make on power and justice?
- How does The Queen’s Spade conclude?
The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Details & Statistics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher |
HarperCollins (January 14, 2025)
|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 416 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0063344386 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0063344389 |
Statistics of The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley
Book Rankings & Popularity
- Best Sellers Rank: #132,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Category Rankings:
- #127 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice & Racism
- #310 in Teen & Young Adult Historical Romance
- #788 in Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction & Dystopian Romance
Customer Reviews
- Rating: ⭐ 4.3 out of 5 stars (Based on 36 ratings)
Genres
- Historical Fiction
- Young Adult
- Historical
- Fantasy
The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Quotes
“For her age, supposed to be eight years, she is a perfect genius; she now speaks English well, and has a great talent for music.”
“My heart refused. I am a princess, I wanted to tell them, but my blood pumped with fear.”
“If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way. They would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but grow worse and worse.”
“I was born free. I must be free.”
“Saving a slave girl from human sacrifice and convincing Ghezo to give her as a gift to the Crown—how did you put it?” He tapped his wrinkled forehead. ‘From the King of the Blacks to the Queen of the Whites.’”
“What a curious gift the Captain has given you from the jungles of the dark continent,” said Mrs. Phipps… “A curious gift,” George Forbes said, “but an amiable, suitable one.” And I can dance too, I thought bitterly. Curious. Yes, I was a ‘curiosity.’”
“Among the slave narratives I’d read, that was one theme I could relate to.”
“Girls, we are joined today by a most esteemed guest I am hoping you will learn from.”
“No, Bellamy’s death was not the goal. There was one fate the British elite feared more than they ever could the afterlife.”
“A destroyed reputation. A rotted legacy. Humiliation and ruin. This is what the elite feared more than death.”
“Queen Victoria would eventually learn that a lady’s lust for revenge cannot so easily die.”
“It’s not a game I expect to finish alive. That makes things a lot easier.”
“If Queen Victoria was curious to know the truth about what had happened to the school, she’d learn soon enough—the truth I’d learned while educated by the missionaries: that cruelty was the point and the method. And I would need to be even crueler if I was going to send my uncle George to hell.”
“Their ‘love’ for you is conditional.”
On Society & Manipulation
- “In merry old England, social climbing was the pastime of the white elite as much as it was the dream of the ‘civilized’ Black hopeful.”
- “I was the Queen’s favorite card to play.”
- “Puppets were not allowed to give voice to their frustrations. They, like me, were not allowed the grace of that ever-elusive soul.”
- “Am I to barter my peace of mind for money? No—never!”
- “Queen Victoria’s goddaughter,” Bellamy said as he intertwined his fingers with mine. “The enslaved African princess given sanctuary by the Queen. How I’ve wanted you for so long . . .”
The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley Table Of Contents
Part One: Ladylike in the Extreme
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
Part Two: An Intelligent Little Thing
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
Part Three: Conditional Love
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
Additional Sections
- Acknowledgments
- Bibliography
- About the Author
The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley – Complete Book Summary
Part One: Ladylike in the Extreme
The novel opens in 1862, Rochester, England, where Omoba Ina—now known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta—begins her calculated journey of vengeance. She is no ordinary woman; stolen from her homeland and brought to England as a “gift” to Queen Victoria, she has spent years mastering the rules of British society. Now, at eighteen, she is ready to strike back.
In the early chapters, Ina sets her sights on Mr. Bellamy, a powerful newspaper editor who once objectified and humiliated her. Using charm and deception, she orchestrates a scheme that leads to his disgrace and death. The novel establishes her as a formidable player in the game of power, capable of manipulating those who underestimate her.
Through flashbacks, we learn about her childhood in the Yoruba kingdom, the brutal raid that led to her captivity, and her forced assimilation into British society. The contrast between her past and present highlights the deep scars colonialism has left on her identity.
As she navigates high society, she rekindles connections with key figures from her past, including Captain George Forbes, a man with dark secrets of his own. Ina’s ability to manipulate her enemies becomes apparent, but she also faces internal conflicts about the moral cost of her revenge.
Part Two: An Intelligent Little Thing
Ina’s plans intensify as she gains access to even more influential figures in Victorian England. She deepens her relationship with Queen Victoria, who sees her as a success story of British “civilization.” However, Ina knows that she is nothing more than a pawn in the monarchy’s propaganda.
Her encounters with aristocratic men and women reveal the deep-seated racism and hypocrisy of the era. Ina, always calculating, begins planting seeds of destruction within their circles, leveraging secrets and scandals against them. She also plays with the affections of Prince Bertie (the future King Edward VII), using his interest in her to gather valuable information.
Meanwhile, she forms an alliance with Rui, an underground figure who shares her thirst for justice. Their partnership, though risky, provides her with the resources she needs to execute her next major move. Ina also carefully manipulates Sibyl Vale, a naïve young woman in love with Captain Forbes, to set a trap that could ruin him permanently.
This section of the novel is filled with intrigue, suspense, and social maneuvering. Every conversation and action Ina takes is a step toward her ultimate goal. However, cracks begin to show as she is forced to confront painful memories of her past. Her emotions, though controlled, threaten to cloud her judgment.
Part Three: Conditional Love
The final part of the novel brings Ina’s elaborate revenge to its peak. Her machinations reach a point of no return as her targets begin to fall. The scandal surrounding Captain Forbes unfolds in dramatic fashion, shaking the foundations of the aristocracy. However, not everything goes according to plan.
Ina’s greatest challenge comes when she is confronted by Queen Victoria herself. The Queen, always perceptive, begins to suspect that Ina is not the obedient ward she appears to be. A psychological battle ensues between the two, each trying to outmaneuver the other. The tension in this confrontation is one of the novel’s highlights, showcasing the power dynamics between a woman who believes herself untouchable and another who refuses to be broken.
As the novel nears its climax, Ina faces a crucial decision: Should she pursue complete destruction of her enemies at the risk of her own life, or find another path? The ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a sense of awe at her resilience.
About the Author: Sarah Raughley
Sarah Raughley is a Nigerian-Canadian author known for her historical and fantasy fiction. She is the writer of The Effigies series and The Bones of Ruin trilogy. A finalist for the Aurora Award, Raughley is also an English professor and public intellectual, contributing to The Walrus, CBC, and Teen Vogue. Her work is influenced by her passion for postcolonial research, fantasy, and history.
Website: sarahraughley.com
Attachments & References
- Get Your Copy Of The Book: The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley
- Explore Similar Books
- Amazon’s book page
- Goodreaders’s book page
- Author’s image source: sarahraughley.com
- Book Cover: Amazon.com
- Quote sources: Goodreads
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