"The Diamond Eye" is the story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a female sniper in the Soviet Army during World War II (and a real historical figure). Lyudmila, or ‘Mila’ as she is called in the novel, was born in Ukraine but considered herself Russian. The book was written before the current war in Ukraine began earlier this year, which gives something as simple as Mila’s choice of identity new relevance.

When we first meet Mila, she is a twenty-one-year-old history student in Kiev (now known as Kyiv, of course) and is trying to get a divorce from her husband Alexei, who seduced her as a teenager then left her to raise their son, Slavka, alone. After an encounter with Alexei at a shooting range during which Mila embarrasses herself by missing a shot, she decides to join an advanced marksmanship course so that she’ll never miss again and can prove to Slavka that she’s the equal of his father. This decision changes Mila’s life because, when Hitler invades Russia a few years later, she is handed a rifle and enlisted into the Red Army as a sniper.

We then follow two alternating storylines – one which describes Mila’s time in the army and how she acquires her reputation as ‘Lady Death’, being credited with 309 kills, and another set in 1942 as Mila embarks on a US tour in an attempt to persuade the Allies to provide support for Russia against the Nazis. The chapters set in America explore Mila’s relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt and a fictitious plot to assassinate the President. This invented storyline adds some tension and excitement to the book, but with Mila’s own life being so fascinating I’m not sure that it was really necessary!

The factual parts of the novel are based on Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s own memoir, Lady Death: The Memoirs of Stalin’s Sniper, which I haven’t read. In fact, I knew nothing at all about Mila before reading this book so everything in it was new to me. Quinn includes a very comprehensive author’s note at the end in which she explains where she tried to stick to the known facts and where she had used her imagination to fill in gaps or make the story more interesting (mainly the bits concerning Mila’s marriage to Alexei and her romantic relationships with two men she meets in the army). Some of the most surprising parts of the story, such as Mila’s friendship with the First Lady are actually true.

There’s a lot of focus on military life, weapons and tactics, which I suppose is to be expected in a novel about a sniper, but that’s never been a particular area of interest to me and reading about the Bletchley Park codebreakers in Quinn's previous novel "The Rose Code" was much more to my taste. Still, it’s always good to learn something new and I did enjoy the parts of the book about Mila’s personal life and ambassadorial work, if not so much the parts about shooting and killing. I’m sure I’ll be reading more of Kate Quinn’s books.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kate Quinn and I’m very excited about reading more. Really well written, fast paced, with a storyline which seems fantastical until you get to the end and realise much of it is based on fact. Incredible bravery and humanity shown throughout. Thoroughly enjoyable, and highly recommend.

A very interesting read. The story is based on true events but is quite fictionalised. A young woman has a talent for shooting and becomes a sniper in the Russian Army. Due to her sucess during WW2, she is sent on a diplomatic mission the the USA to enlist help from America to join the war against the Germans. She make an unexpectly friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt.

It's a wonderfully uplifting story of female strength against the odds, love for your country and friendship. I have enjoyed other books by Kate Quinn so I am looking forward to what she writes next.

This piece of historical fiction (emphasis on fiction) was inspired by the true story of the most successful female sniper in history – Lyudmila Pavlichenko. She was an impressive woman who led a fascinating and dangerous life but it is important to note that 'The Diamond Eye' does take quite a few liberties in retelling her story for the sake of the plot. I didn’t mind this as the essence of such a formidable historical figure remained.

The decision to veer away from documented fact allowed the book to include both a dramatic war zone romance and an action-packed assassination attempt. When the plot wasn’t focusing on these additions, it did have a tendency to drag. The author often repeated parts of Mila’s time training or fighting which slowed the pace considerably. Luckily, the time jumps to the present day US tour helped to break up the story and keep me interested.

This fictional form of Mila was characterised by her resilience and pragmatism. In fact, I admired her before she even became an expert sniper as she was also a dedicated mother and a passionate student. Both on and off the battlefield, she took a very matter-of-fact approach which complemented her dry, and sometimes dark, humour. Despite being a lethal weapon, she couldn’t be described as cold-hearted. She felt very human due to her wit, compassion and vulnerability. These qualities helped add levity to her otherwise depressing time spent fighting on the front.

The novel really came into its own when it remained in the present day US tour storyline. There was a greater sense of urgency and the drama was able to switch up a gear. Additionally, Mila’s relationships with her sniper partner Kostia and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt were able to be fleshed out more. Her friendship with Eleanor surprisingly didn’t feel forced and it was heartwarming to watch two women under such intense scrutiny band together. It was clear they had a genuine admiration for one another. The final act also contained a twist that I did NOT see coming. This game-changing revelation made it impossible for me to put the book down during the last fews chapters!

Overall, this fictionalised account of such an impressive historical figure packed in friendship, romance and action into a heavy wartime story, culminating with a thrilling final act.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Meticulously researched, wonderfully evocative and compulsively readable, Kate Quinn has done it again with her outstanding new historical novel, The Diamond Eye.

Aspiring historian Mila’s life revolves around her son. There is absolutely nothing the young mother would not do for her beloved child – until Hitler’s invasion of Russia ends up turning her entire world upside down. Life as she has always known it has changed beyond recognition and with everything she knows and everyone she loves in jeopardy, Mila has been left with no other choice but to fight. In the snowbound city of Kiev, women like Mila must gather all their courage and strength to protect their homes and their families, so they take up arms to defeat the enemy and save their country from the Fuhrer’s destruction.

Mila never imagined that she would be swapping her books for weapons, but when she becomes an expert shot she is transformed from a bookish historian into a deadly sniper and the Nazi’s worst nightmare. Mila’s track record quickly begins to speak for itself, however, success proves to be bittersweet when she finds herself forced to leave her life on the Eastern front behind for America, where she finds an unlikely ally in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

In America, a brand new future full of possibility beckons for Mila, until her past joins forces with a dangerous new enemy that threatens to put her in the line of fire all over again. Mila has got the fight of her life on her hands. Will she emerge victorious? Or has her luck finally run out?

Based on a true story, Kate Quinn’s The Diamond Eye is an enthralling, atmospheric and engrossing historical novel about a courageous woman who risks everything in order to protect the people she loves. Mila is a heroine whose indomitable spirit, fearlessness, compassion and heart is sure to inspire readers to be bolder and braver in their everyday lives.

Kate Quinn has got a tremendous gift for making history come to life. Her descriptions sweep readers back in time and take them right into the heart of the world she is creating and they will be with Mila and all the protagonists of The Diamond Eye every single step of the way, where they will feel every single emotion they go through until the very last page.

An outstanding historical novel that is hard to put down and even harder to forget, The Diamond Eye is another surefire hit for the talented Kate Quinn.

"The Diamond Eye" is another great World War 2 novel from Kate Quinn. Again there is a basis of fact in the story, which only goes to prove that fact is truly stranger than fiction. The novel features Mila, a young mother, student and librarian who becomes a sniper in the Russian military. Unlike the women pilots (see "The Huntress"), females in the army were part of the same outfits as the men, which made their war much more difficult. The difficulty doubled when they were promoted to positions of authority and had to prove themselves to be better than the men they were in charge of.

A particularly interesting part of the narrative, in light of recent events, relates to the comments on the invasion of Russia by the Nazis - very similar to those made by the Ukrainians about Russia's actions earlier this year.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I was invited to read this book and I’m so glad. It was a gritty read about the Russian sniper, Lyudmila Pavlichenko. Thanks mostly to blockbuster films, we have a stereotype image of a sniper and it most certainly isn’t female.
These people lived a harsh, gruelling lifestyle through a relentless war. Friendships forged, loves won and lost.
This book gave me another view of a dreadful time in World history and has had a real effect on me, because mostly, this is a true story and should be read.

The queen of historical fiction is back with a new (fantastic!) WW2 novel. Based on the true story of, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, aka Lady Death, a Soviet bookworm who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper.⁣
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Quinn’s atmospheric and immersive writing made for a compelling and unputdownable read, THE DIAMOND EYE was a completely fresh perspective on WW2- which I just LOVED! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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If you’re looking for stories about bada$s women, look no further, this story will haunt you 🖤

The Diamond Eye is the latest release form best selling author Kate Quinn, and once again she has drawn from the story of a real life historical person, in this case Mila Pavlichenko ,a Russian sniper with 309 credited kills during the second world war, where she served in the Red Army during the sieges of Odessa and Sevastopol and earned the nickname Lady Death.
The book has two distinct timelines though they are not separated by long, one follows Mila as she joins the army and becomes a sniper before being injured and evacuated, while the second is set in 1942 where she is on a propaganda tour to the United States and sparks up an unlikely friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, who provides the second point of view for the reader.
As I have come to expect from this author, the research is impeccable and the book is rich in vivid historical detail that brings the war brutally and graphically to life for the reader. Mila is a fascinating character, though it did take me a little time to warm to her. Her wartime experiences made for compelling reading and the action and violence is balanced by the emotional struggles Mila is forced to deal with including her pushy ex husband and a growing attraction to one of the men in her unit. While we do get some passages from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's perspective they are quite short and sparsely scattered through the book , and I wish that they had been a little more developed to give a counterpoint to Mila's wartime experiences.
Quinn has done it again, this is top notch historical fiction that tells an almost unbelievable story.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher ,all opinions are my own

A really interesting book about one of the less known things about Russian efforts in WW2. I loved the heroine and was gripped by her story.

Another fascinating story from Kate Quinn.
The Diamond Eye is based on the true story of Mila Pavlichenko, a remarkeable woman who was studying history when Russia joined the WWII. Her immediate instinct was to defend her country and so she joined the Russian Army. A very driven and targeted person she had already honed her shooting skills, and once given a chance to show them off she became a highly successful sniper. The story also takes Mila on a PR trip to the USA which leads to an unlikely friendship with the First Lady.
Kate Quinn shows all sides of Mila, the love she has for her family and son, her love of history, her passion for her country, the battles she fought to be recognized and respected in the army and love she had for the men in her life. The notes at the end detailing the parts based on fact and those that came from the author makes the story very clear.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this story.

Another great Kate Quinn book, a fiction novel based on a true WW2 story.
Mila Pavlichencko, a Soviet student and mother becomes a sniper in WW2, she later develops a friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt.
Mila is a strong woman with a fascinating story.

I loved Kate Quinn's The Rose Code, and I love this new book just as much - an exceptional read.

This is the story of Mila Pavlichenko - a real person with a fascinating history, who becomes a deadly sniper for the Russians in WW2, fighting against the German enemy. Mila's success and sniper tally, along with the fact she's a woman makes her the perfect propaganda character - giving her the mission to travel to the US and try to convince President Roosevelt to enter the war.

The story is set in two timeframes - one during Mila's sniper days, where there are a wealth of characters around her, notably her ex-husband and a new lover; all set in a clearly described scenery and warlike atmosphere. The second timeframe is during Mila's trip to the US, where she embarks on an extraordinary friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, another formidable woman.

The story is full of action, both physical and violent, and also emotional. It's a story that will keep you reading, all the more so because you know Mila existed. I enjoyed reading the historical context at the end of the story, and also then delving online to find out more about this incredible lady.

For fans of The Rose Code, this book will be an absolute winner. Historical fiction on an epic scale with characters who you will love and root for.

A female sniper in World War 2 seems unlikely by British and American standards, but Lyudmila is fighting for Russia where women could sign up to fight on the front line as readily as men. Forced to be both father and mother to her son at an unbelievably young age, Mila rises up against every foe and abuser she faces. In the mean time she racks up an impressive body count!

A heroine we can all root for, Mila does her best for her family and her country, suffering tragedies along the way. We also get the strong female character of Eleanor Roosevelt, as the two women form an unlikely friendship.

But on a trip to America, promoting Russia’s need for aid, threats lurk around every corner. Can Mila ever be happy?

Kate Quinn does it again with her newest historical fiction depicting the tale of a Soviet female sniper whose path entertained with Eleanor Roosevelt and changes both of their lives.

Kate Quinn is the queen of historical fiction! I love her writing and this book does not disappoint.

The diamond eye is the story of Lady Death, a Russian sniper who defied many odds.

A fascinating look at world war 2 from an angle often ignored. The book speaks of the horror of war, the lengths a young woman would go to to protect her son, and the relationships she builds along the way.

A brilliant read (for me it doesn’t quite beat the rose code, but is very close).

A Russian sniper in the second world War, a meeting with the US president and friendship with the presidents wife. Fascinating, brilliant and interesting and then you discover this is based around a true story. Would really recommend this.

Based on a true story, this book tells the story of a young Russian woman who trained as a sniper in WW2 and recorded several hundred kills. She was then sent to the USA on a diplomatic mission to try and encourage US investment in the Russian defence against the Nazis.
A fascinating true story, turned into a compelling read by Kate Quinn.
I really enjoyed it.

I love Kate Quinn’s novels and this one didn’t disappoint. It was fast-paced and full of intrigue with well developed characters and a meticulously researched plot. I enjoyed reading from the perspective of the Soviets and learned a lot from this novel about their experiences during WW2. I especially enjoyed the romantic element (which is very unlike me so it must have been well and tastefully written) and the relationship between Mila and Eleanor Roosevelt.

I did find that the final quarter of the novel felt more contrived than the rest and I eye rolled a couple of times but it wasn’t bad enough to deter me from reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would definitely recommend it to others.

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn was great. I’ve recently read, The Rose Code and just knew that the author would do this story justice. Wow! I was so intrigued by this story. It was almost unbelievable. Almost. KQ great storytelling skill drew me in and made me think I I was there. Traveling in the USA and walking in to difficult, scary situations.
I’m just going to finish by saying that if you love history and reading about brave, determined women, then you’ll enjoy this one. And if you haven’t read The Rose Code you need to.
I hope this was helpful.
Thanks Harper Collins via NetGalley.
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