• Age: 14 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12

“Every page brims with rage and grief, but the only thing more harrowing than Ina’s journey is the knowledge that it was based in reality. You will bow before this queen.” —Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of Night of the Witch

In this riveting historical thriller that’s inspired by true-life events, The Count of Monte Cristo 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 perfect for fans of A Dowry of Blood and Grave Mercy.

Sarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is a huge fangirl of anything from manga to sci-fi fantasy TV to Japanese role-playing games and other geeky things, all of which have largely inspired her writing. Sarah has been nominated for the Aurora Award for Best YA Novel and works in the community doing writing workshops for youths and adults. On top of being a YA writer, Sarah has a PhD in English, which makes her a doctor, so it turns out she didn’t have to go to medical school after all. As an academic, Sarah has taught undergraduate courses and acted as a postdoctoral fellow. Her research concerns representations of race and gender in popular media culture, youth culture, and postcolonialism. She has written and edited articles in political, cultural, and academic publications. She continues to use her voice for good. You can find her online at SarahRaughley.com.

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“Every page brims with rage and grief, but the only thing more harrowing than Ina’s journey is the knowledge that it was based in reality. You will bow before this queen.” — Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of Night of the Witch

“Murder, desire, and Machiavellian plotting combine in this unflinching page-turner. Revenge and justice have never been so satisfying!” — Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles

“Bold, incisive, and deliciously ruthless. Revenge catharsis at its finest.” — Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Imogen, Obviously

“A gripping exploration of revenge, justice, and the fierce power of feminine rage.” — June Hur, New York Times bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves

“A thoughtful, powerful, unputdownable adventure!” — Kamilah Cole, bestselling author of So Let Them Burn and This Ends in Embers

"Formidable narrator Ina and her campaign foster drive and dread while the brilliantly rendered, racially diverse supporting cast injects conflict at every turn." — Publishers Weekly

"This has all the drama of a pure vengeance thriller, and Ina is an absolute stellar anti-hero, unrelentingly ruthless and terrifyingly capable." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books