The Queen’s Spade (The Queen’s Spade #1)

A Yoruba princess targets her British “saviors” in this searing 1862-set duology opener from Raughley (the Bones of Ruin trilogy). Omoba Ina is just a child when Dahomey’s king Ghezo murders her parents, the Egbado Clan’s rulers, and enslaves her. Ina and fellow captive Ade are slated for sacrifice when Capt. Frederick Forbes of the British Royal Navy intervenes, convincing Ghezo to gift the kids to Queen Victoria. Ina proves “moldable” while aboard the HMS Bonetta, evidence that “even a slave can be transformed into a lady through Britain’s compassion”; Ade, however, is thrown overboard. Before presenting Ina—renamed Sarah Forbes Bonetta—to her majesty, Forbes and friends measure Ina’s head and make her dance naked. Ten years later, 18-year-old Ina aims to destroy those responsible for Ade’s death and her debasement—Ina’s “monstrous” godmother, Queen Victoria, included. Loosely inspired by the real Omoba Ina, Raughley’s tempestuous tale spotlights the hypocrisy of postabolition Britain, “an unequal, unjust society filled with absurd ideologies.” Formidable narrator Ina and her campaign foster drive and dread while the brilliantly rendered, racially diverse supporting cast injects conflict at every turn. Ages 14–up. Agent: Natalie Lakosil, Looking Glass Literary. (Jan.)