The Other Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter

Written by Denny S. Bryce

Narrated by Nneka Okoye

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9780063144149

Denny S. Bryce

Denny S. Bryce is an award-winning and bestselling author of historical fiction, including Wild Women and the Blues. She is also an adjunct professor in the MFA program at Drexel University, a book critic for NPR, and a member of the Historical Novel Society, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Tall Poppy Writers. Currently, she resides in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews for The Other Princess

[Jeffrey Neufeld · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh how I loved this story. So engaging, I listened to every moment and if I missed something zoning out I'd have to go back!!!

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely beautiful story. So much detail that I never knew about. Loved it. Also, the narrator is a gem!!!

[jaison · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The reader was fantastic! Her voice and accents were perfect!

[Diane Pater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great history of Africa and England. Very well, read by narrator.

[LynneGauthier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this book. My one hang up was how the heroine did not follow politics at all after becoming married when she had influence to actually change things. This may have been what actually happened historically, not sure, but it seemed contradictory to her spirit in her youth and curious nature. Would have liked to see her exert more influence to help the causes that she cared about.

[dboaz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such important historical background for the world to learn about. Written with eloquence.

[Christa Schopf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a wonderful read. Historical and adventurous. Enjoyed completely

[Amber Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book! The narrator handles multiple characters and accents smoothly, and has a pleasant and cadence to her voice. I learned A LOT about Sara Forbes Bonetta, Victorian colonialism, West Africa, Dahomey… there were so many ideas and events and people that piqued my interest and got me digging deeper in other sources to learn more. A wonderful story with characters I won’t forget.

[Deborah Crump-Fair · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed learning the interesting history. Well done great listen

[S T · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this audiobook immensely. It was well researched and written. I had never heard this story before and i highly recommend it. I agree with some of the other reviews…. It would be a fantastic movie.

[Teri Gillams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the telling of this historical story❤️ would love to see as a movie.

[shea knowles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and new. Had never heard of this person prior.

[Becki Basley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The interesting story of Queen Victorias goddaughter the African princess Sarah forbes Bonnetta and her amazing life.