Author: Denny S. Bryce
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: William Morrow Paperback
Release Date: 2023
Pages: 443
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: A stunning portrait of an African princess raised in Queen Victoria’s court and adapting to life in Victorian England—based on the real-life story of a recently rediscovered historical figure, Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
With a brilliant mind and a fierce will to survive, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a kidnapped African princess, is rescued from enslavement at seven years old and presented to Queen Victoria as a “gift.” To the Queen, the girl is an exotic trophy to be trotted out for the entertainment of the royal court and to showcase Victoria’s magnanimity. Sarah charms most of the people she meets, even those who would cast her aside. Her keen intelligence and her aptitude for languages and musical composition helps Sarah navigate the Victorian era as an outsider given insider privileges.
But embedded in Sarah’s past is her destiny. Haunted by visions of destruction and decapitations, she desperately seeks a place, a home she will never run from, never fear, a refuge from nightmares and memories of death.
From West Africa to Windsor Castle to Sierra Leone, to St. James's Palace, and the Lagos Colony, Sarah juggles the power and pitfalls of a royal upbringing as she battles racism and systematic oppression on her way to living a life worthy of a Yoruba princess.
Based on the real life of Queen Victoria’s Black goddaughter, Sarah Forbes Bonetta’s story is a sweeping saga of an African princess in Victorian England and West Africa, as she searches for a home, family, love, and identity.
My Review: Sarah Forbes Bonnetta was an African princess and was the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. In this historical novel, Sarah was originally named Aina. She was a princess of Egbado. One day, the king of the Dahomey tribe slaughtered her family and captured Princess Aina. A year later, Princess Aina was given to the English as a gift. Princess Aina was then sent to England to be Queen Victoria. Princess Aina was paraded in court. In a foreign court, Princess Aina tries to find her own happiness and to live up to her identity as an African princess.
I had never heard of Princess Sarah Forbes Bonnetta. Therefore, I was pleased to read her story. However, I could not connect with her character at all. Princess Aina goes through many hardships and trials. However, she is very self-centered. She doesn’t heed others' wise counsel. Instead, she is very childish. She never matures throughout the novel. Princess Sarah stays the same even in adulthood. I found her character development to be a disappointment. She had so much potential, but she was not developed enough. Therefore, I found Princess Aina to be very unlikable.
Overall, this novel is about freedom, identity, and belonging. I liked the other characters in this novel, especially Queen Victoria. I also thought that some of the scenes tended to drag. Nevertheless, I loved the exotic locations in this book. I also liked learning about Sarah’s life and how she adapted to a foreign court. It is clear that Princess Sarah Forbes is a fascinating woman! This book shed light on a subject I had never heard of, and I am eager to learn more about her life! The Other Princess is an excellent tribute to a forgotten but captivating historical princess! I recommend this for fans of royalty! The Other Princess is perfect for fans of Queen of Exiles, In The Shadow of A Queen, and Belle!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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