Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

Whatever the queen of historical fiction Kate Quinn writes, is a must read for me.

Needless to say The Diamond Eye was my most anticipated read of the year.

Synopsis -

In 1937, Kiev, Mila is busy juggling life as a history student, a librarian and as a mother to a five year old. But when war strikes, her sharp shooting hobby suddenly becomes her way of living as she enlists with the red army as a sniper. Soon, her reputation becomes widely spread as "Lady Death" with over 300 Nazi kills to her name. Touring the US on a goodwill tour to win over their support for USSR's war efforts, Mila comes under the American spotlight, unexpectedly befriending the First Lady Roosevelt. Quinn yet again chooses a real life war heroine presenting her life through the lens of her vivid imagination and creativity.

Review -

Unlike the other books, here we entirely have Mila's first person narrative. Almost reading like a memoir at times, this book, by far is a celebration of Mila's remarkable journey as a young loving mother, a fierce soldier and a lethal sniper, transforming into an effortless and effective speaker, eventually realising her dreams.

It is Mila's determination to make her country a safe place for her son, that drives her into battle. The constant demeaning and belittling by her so called husband and her frustration of not being taken seriously, are other factors that fuel her desire to prove herself and serve her Motherland.

Though the book weighs heavily on the war front, I really loved knowing how Mila's brain works at lightning speed, making calculations of her firing trajectory, as she clings on to the one mantra she believes in - "Don't Miss".

Quinn beautifully handles her friendship with her silent sniper partner, the stoic Kostia, as they become inseparable - one soul, but two bodies. Mila's finding of true love in Lyonya will certainly to move you to the core.

The author's ability to seamlessly blend Mila's real life's facts and figures, by interjecting just the right amount of imagination and characters shines through here.

It is especially during Mila's tour of the US that this book really began singing to me. Ridiculed by the American Press, with sexist remarks and senseless questions, I marvelled at Mila's grit and tenacity to remain unfazed. Interspersed with the First Lady's subtle humour and practical wisdom, Mila's friendship with her is undoubtedly the best part of the book.

I really appreciated the informative author's note. It culminates by throwing spotlight on yet another lesser known woman made of steel and this time of Soviet Blood.

The ending is sure to make your heart heavy, full of awe and respect for Mila.

Highly recommended for WWII historical fictions fans!

Thanks you NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for the ARC!

Absolutely brilliant. I love the fact that it is based on a true story and it increased my knowledge of WW2 in an enjoyable way. I never knew much about Germany’s invasion of Russia during WW2 and the information helped me to understand a bit about why Russia doesn’t ever want to be seen to be controlled by Europe.
The main character, Mila, is an actual person and her story is fascinating. The actions of the war and the visit to America are told in excellent detail.
A brilliant story.

I love Kate Quinn’s WWII novels and the way she puts women back in the story. This one focuses on a little known Russian Ukrainian sniper. I don’t want to spoil anyone but basically just read this. The historical detail is superb and the characters are nuanced and believable. Highly recommend all her books.

What a powerhouse of a book this is! Having been very impressed by Kate Quinn’s ‘The Rose Code’ WW2 novel, I hoped that this book would be equally as impressive. It was certainly that, and more.
Weaving the narrative around the real life story of a Soviet female sniper, as the Russian forces strive to protect their homeland against the invading Nazis, is incredibly powerful. It is also poignant and thought provoking, especially reading it against the background of daily news of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The story of Ludmylia, known by the diminutive Mila, as she carries out her military duties and daily increases her tally of strikes against the enemy, is one of immense courage and dedication. It is a graphic and unrelenting tale of the horrors of close combat, and pulls no punches.
The other part of the story is surprising, as it moves Mila and her colleagues to Washington. This is in an effort to persuade Franklin D Roosevelt, and his First Lady Eleanor to commit USA to send troops and weapons to open up a second front in the Allies war against Hitler. Mila strikes up an unlikely alliance with the First Lady, and we read how two extremely strong women can conspire together for the greater good. If indeed a sniper responsible for over three hundred kills can be described as a force for good. The promotional tour of the cities of USA, at the behest of the First Lady, tests Mila to her limits, when all she really wants is to return to her homeland and her young son.
This part of the true story is fascinating and riveting, I found I could not put this book down- and it is a long book.
The depth of research that must have gone into writing this story is impressive, as is the exceptional writing skill. I am full of admiration for this author, yet again.
My thanks to Kate Quinn, the publisher, and Netgalley for granting me an advance copy of this title. I enjoyed it immensely.

Absolutely amazing story based on a real person and true events. Mila never set out to be a hero, she just wanted to be a historian, however, when the Germans invaded she wanted to do what she could to protect her homeland and her son. She became a sniper, a very successful one, so successful that she was chosen to visit America as part of a delegation to try and get America to join the war in Europe. An unusual friendship blossomed between her and the First Lady. The author has expanded a little to include an extra thrilling plot wrapped around true events that just kept the pages turning long after I should have gone to sleep. Fabulous story really well told!

I found this book particularly poignant considering what is happening in Ukraine. It was also interesting to read how fiercely the fighting was in WW2 to defend the “Motherland”. It took a few chapters to get into this book but I stuck with it and really enjoyed it. Well researched and cleverly written it was interesting to see how close to the true story it stayed. Excellent book once again. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

Another incredible tale from Kate Quinn, who aces stories of strong women faced with impossible situations during war time, every time.

I particularly love how Kate uses the experiences of real life heroines to weave her intricate tales. She really brought the characters to life, depicting the horrors of the Second World War on the Russian front.

The story was fast paced and brilliantly told. Could not put it down. Just wow.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Based on true characters, Mila's story particularly will definitely stay with me! This author hooks her readers and keeps them dangling till the very last page…..Really sweet, warm hearted at times historical fiction . . . Thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a lovely way to start the new bank holiday week!

After reading an ARC of "The Rose Code" I had to get my hands on this one and I'm so glad I did! Kate Quinn does such excellent research and characterisations that her books bring history alive (and I LOVE history). I automatically request anything from Kate Quinn, so thank you so much for this ARC.

I’ve always enjoyed Kate Quinn’s books and her latest offering did not disappoint.
This one is based on the true story of Mila Pavlichenko, a Ukrainian sniper who killed over 300 Nazi’s during WWll.
Quinn’s books are always well researched and I really enjoyed how she mixed fact with a little bit of fiction to create a wonderful, fast paced page turner, that left me on the edge of my seat. I also liked how she started most chapters with Mila’s memoir the official version, followed by her memoir, the unofficial version.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

"The Diamond Eye" is another great historical novel by Kate Quinn.

I really liked the protagonist and after reading the novel I immediately looked her up to learn more about her. I love that Quinn's novels tend to focus on lesser-known parts and/or persons in history.

The plot and characters were well-thought-out and developed, the different timelines really worked for me, and already look forward to reading Quinn's next novel.

When Kate Quinn began writing The Diamond Eye, I doubt she could have imagined Putin's invasion of the Ukraine and the subsequent piquancy it gave her subject matter. It set me thinking that if Mila Pavlichenko was alive today, what would she make of it? Which side would she be on? Because she described herself as Russian first but Ukrainian second. Reading The Diamond Eye makes you realise just how fought over that piece of real estate was. Kate brings to life in this novel the life of Mila so well. It must have taken an enormous amount of research to deliver the facts of various battles and the individuals who were a part of Mila's life. I found it quite a lengthy read and for me it wasn't quite as entertaining as her previous novel The Rose Code.

I really enjoy the way Kate Quinn writes her historical fiction, so of course I couldn't say no to reading her newest WWII story... And I'm glad I wasn't able to resist, because The Diamond Eye turned out to be yet another fantastic book. There is just something about her writing style and her well researched historical facts mixed seamlessly with the fictional that are able to grab you immediately, and I was under Lyudmila's spell as soon as I started reading. What a read!

It truly shows just how well researched Kate Quinn's stories always are, and The Diamond Eye is even more facts than usual as it's partly based on the actual memoir of female Russian sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko. While it's true that things can be said about the credibility of the content of that memoir as at least part of it could be simply Russian propaganda, but what counts is that Kate Quinn is able to make the facts FEEL real. Of course certain liberties have been taken with events and characters (all explained by the author in the final pages), but that is what historical fiction is about in the first place... The result: a perfect blend of facts and fiction and an extremely engaging and heart wrenching story.

I always love a good WWII historical fiction read, but it's hard to find one that is different than the typical content. The Diamond Eye seems to fit the bill though. Instead of the usual suspects, we have the main focus on Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a Russian student and mother who saw herself forced to join the war to protect the future of her son. We get to know her just before, but the part that is most interesting is her life as a female soldier and later sniper of course. The descriptions of the war, her bond with her fellow soldiers, the fighting, the 'hunts' as snipers... They are all so vivid and thorough that it really feels as if you are right next to Lyudmila experiencing it all.

The story has various POVs and two different timelines. Part of it takes place in the past, mainly during 1937-1941, where we get to know Lyudmila and her experiences before and during the war. The other important storyline takes place during 1942 in the US, where Lyudmila meets president Roosevelt and his wife and goes on a promotion tour throughout the country to rally support for the US opening a second front in the war. The unlikely budding friendship between Eleanor and Lyudmila makes for a great contrast with the heavier moments and really helps balancing things out. On top of this, we have the POV of the mysterious marksman on a mission... And Eleanor's thoughts in between.

The Diamond Eye is of course quite a heavy read considering it talks about WWII and the experiences of a Russian female sniper at the front, but there are also elements to balance things out. I already mentioned the budding friendship with the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, but you will also find a little dose of romance to lighten things up. Not all is roses and sunshine and things can be said about the love triangle vibe, but I personally didn't mind too much and the way everything was described felt realistic (although sometimes frustrating and even heartbreaking).

I can keep talking about this story, but I don't want to give away too much about the plot... What is important is that The Diamond Eye is a fantastic piece of WWII historical fiction that manages to balance facts and fiction perfectly. Raw, engaging, shocking and heartfelt at the same time; Lyudmila will steal your heart and stamp all over it before you reach that final page. The Huntress is still my absolute favorite title so far, but this one comes a close second!

Not many people have heard of Lyudmila Pavlichenko states the author, but my son, an avid history buff, had, and really admired her story, her shooting abilities, and her trench warfare activities. We discussed this book , told in diary form, the official Russian version, and her version, sly, humorous writings, and by the end, I had formed a great liking for this remarkable woman, a sharpshooter , leader of troops of men, and a loving mother, to a child she hardly saw due to her fighting. She came across as warm hearted, honest, faithful to her lovers and a wicked sense of fun. She wasn’t even Russian, but Ukrainian, and in these troubled times, this seemed such an appropriate book to read, the importance of fighting for your country is well portrayed.
This is based upon actual diaries and photographs, the author has put the story together really well. It was surprising that Lyudmila went to America and ended up becoming friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, but, both were damaged characters, misunderstood and hated by various quarters, and highly protective of those they loved, it was an unusual and loyal friendship. The photographs at the end of the book were the icing on the cake, proof indeed , very poignant. Lady Death was a most deserved nickname.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, HarperCollinsUK, for my digital copy in exchange for my honest, unsolicited review. I gave this a five star rating, it was such a compelling and fascinating read.

A brilliant read! This is another winner from Kate Quinn, who manages to blend historical detail with action, suspense and romance in an effortlessly readable form. I was fascinated by the central character, a female Russian sniper in the Second World War, but assumed - until the notes at the end - that this was an entirely fictional person. However, last week I read an article in The Times which compared a female Ukraine sniper in the current conflict with the real-life war heroine, Lyudmila Pavlichenko. Ms Quinn certainly makes the story credible and dramatic, obviously filling in the archive with her own imagination, but the novel is seamless and fact really does seem stranger than fiction in many places. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which has terrific pace and interest throughout. My favourite book by this author and the most memorable I have read in some time.

This book is based on a true story and it really is remarkable. I think it reads stranger than fiction at many times but the whole book is written and researched well you are carried along for a very interesting ride. I have to admit I knew nothing of this woman nor of her role in the war but I love to learn from novels and find the mix of fact and fiction. Lots of graphic scenes as you can imagine which were necessary but the information about the guns, I got a little tired of, Didn't spoil the book too much as this is such a remarkable story

Excellent biographical fictional account about World War II Soviet sniper, Lyudmila Pavlichenko. She killed over three hundred Germans, was taken on a goodwill tour - to encourage the United States to support the USSR - when what she really wanted to do was study history and be with her son. She wasn't famous before, but now Kate Quinn has introduced her to the reading public, she will be.

Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC.

Kate Quinn is back with another epic historical saga with a strong female protagonist - this time Lyudmila (Mila) Pavlichenko, also known as "Lady Death" because of her prowess as a sniper during WWII. The story is based on the memoir of Pavlichenko herself, with Quinn explaining at the end of the book which parts she was true to and which she embellished for narrative purposes.
As with all of Quinn's previous books, the story spans a detailed amount of time the heroine's life; It starts in 1942 America where a Soviet delegation are on a 'goodwill' mission to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with Mila as part of the contingent. We then go back in time to meet her as a young single mother in Kiev, married but trying to divorce her letch of a husband, trying to be both mother and father to her son; she decides to undertake a proper marksmanship course to be able to show her son this skill when the time comes, but doesn't realise at that time that she will utilise those skills in a much more prominent way - when Russia officially goes to war with Germany while she is away at college studying History. She immediately enlists, and so her story really begins.
We follow Mila through the trenches, the battles and her developing into the most prolific lady sniper that History ever recorded. The story never loses sight of her as a person though, and we also feel the despair at having to be at war, the sadness and lonliness she feels at being away from her son and parents, the camraderie with her fellow comrades, as well as the specific struggles of being a woman soldier at war. It is also very interesting in light of current circumstances as Ukrainian-born Mila is fighting for Russia (all part of the then Soviet Union) and it was hard not to think about this while reading it.
Overall I enjoyed this, and while it isn't my favourite of her books, she has shown yet again that she can write a strong female-focused, historical drama highlighting probably lesser known achievements.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an invitation to read an advance review copy of ‘The Diamond Eye’ by Kate Quinn in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Diamond Eye’ was another well researched work of historical fiction based on a true story.

I had been impressed last year by Quinn’s WWII novel, ‘The Rose Code’ and how well she had blended real life events and historical figures into the narrative.

In ‘The Diamond Eye’ she focuses her story around the life of Mila Pavlichenko, an aspiring historian who in 1937 was living in Kyiv (Kiev), Soviet Union. Her life revolves around her academic work and her young son until Hitler’s invasion of Russia changes everything.

Mila had already acquired an Advanced Marksman Certificate before the invasion. She quickly signs up and is assigned to an elite sniper unit. There her gifts are honed to perfection. She gains a reputation and acquires the name Lady Death.

In 1942 Mila is selected to be part of a Soviet delegation to the USA. Their mission is to convince President Roosevelt to commit resources to the war in Europe and specifically to the Soviet Union. Mila is perceived as an oddity though finds an unexpected ally in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Yet she is unaware that she is being closely observed by a man only identified to us as the Marksman. He appears to have nefarious plans.

Quinn moves between Mila’s harrowing experiences on the Eastern Front and her being feted around the United States. On occasion there are Notes by the First Lady as well as brief extracts from Mila’s official and unofficial memoirs.

I found Mila an accessible protagonist and especially appreciated her frustration at the way she was treated in the States: “I wish they’d stop calling me the girl sniper,” the marksman heard her mutter in Russian … “Only in America can you be a soldier and twenty-six, and still be a girl.”

Quinn’s Author’s Note provides details of how she first encountered Mila Pavlichenko when researching an earlier novel and felt that her extraordinary life story warranted its own novel. Quinn includes a bibliography, internet resources, and even film references. There is also a section of historical photographs.

Overall, I found this an excellent work of historical fiction with elements of a political thriller woven into the story. It’s climax certainly proved nail-biting.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to HarperCollins for allowing me to review this book. I initially felt uncomfortable reading about this sniper from the Ukraine, then part of the USSR joining the war against the Germans, as she described the the destruction the Hitlerites were causing in the USSR, due to the current war in Ukraine. However, this aside Kate Quinn has written very sensitively the story of Mila. She is a young mother, studying at University when the Germans invade Odessa. As a good markswoman she enlists and becomes well renowned as a sniper. As the war progresses, a group are taken to the USA to persuade Roosevelt to support the Russians. Mila, is befriended by the First Lady.
Whilst based on a true story, it is not clear until reading the authors motes at the end what she has imagined to build on the autobiography written by Mila. Some of which surprised me. I found the book totally engaging and despite my discomfort I had to finish it and would encourage you to read thisbook.