The Diamond Eye
- Downloads：8246
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-03-18 11:21:41
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Kate Quinn
- ISBN：0062943545
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Leslie
，
Reading this book now--after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine--was an eerie experience。 This story of female Ukrainian sniper， Lyudmila （Mila） Pavlichenko during World War II and the German invasion of Russia reveals some strong truths about war and similarities to the situation of the Ukrainian people 70 years later。 Mila only wanted to be a history student and was following that path in the city of Kyiv when the Germans invaded。 Her skill at marksmanship put her life into an entire Reading this book now--after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine--was an eerie experience。 This story of female Ukrainian sniper， Lyudmila （Mila） Pavlichenko during World War II and the German invasion of Russia reveals some strong truths about war and similarities to the situation of the Ukrainian people 70 years later。 Mila only wanted to be a history student and was following that path in the city of Kyiv when the Germans invaded。 Her skill at marksmanship put her life into an entirely different trajectory， and she decided to join the war effort where she became an outstanding sniper。 That this job is difficult for anyone is made clear， and the added challenges for women in the Army was even more so。 War is hell， but the burning desire of Ukrainians to defend their homeland has strong echoes to the present moment， when they were invaded without provocation and with superior forces。 The story stays close to the known account of this woman， but author Kate Quinn has added some dramatic moments that are either imagined or strongly possible based on this woman's life。 Notes at the end give details on what was historically based and what was changed slightly for the demands of a novel。 Don't miss this！ （On sale March 29）Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for an advanced copy。 。。。more
Connie
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I found my favorite book of 2022 so far！ Kate Quinn just keeps getting better and better。 The Diamond Eye was an amazing novel of World War II （yes， another one）， which focuses on Lyudmila Pavlichenko， who was a distinguished sniper in the Russian Army recording a reported 309 kills。 I was amazed at the fact that the Russian Army had female snipers during the war， but that is only the beginning of the history that I learned in this book。As if the story of a female sniper during World War II does I found my favorite book of 2022 so far！ Kate Quinn just keeps getting better and better。 The Diamond Eye was an amazing novel of World War II （yes， another one）， which focuses on Lyudmila Pavlichenko， who was a distinguished sniper in the Russian Army recording a reported 309 kills。 I was amazed at the fact that the Russian Army had female snipers during the war， but that is only the beginning of the history that I learned in this book。As if the story of a female sniper during World War II does not present enough material for a thrilling novel， there is the added storyline of Ms。 Pavlichenko coming to the U。S。 as an ambassador of sorts and becoming friends with Eleanor Roosevelt （true story！）。 And while she is in the U。S。， she is stalked by someone who wishes to inflict harm on many。 So even after she is away from the wartime front， she is not out of danger。The plot was suspenseful and riveting。 I am awed by some of Kate Quinn's writing: it is poignant， beautiful and powerful。 I highlighted so many quotes including， "Snipers must make themselves calm in order to succeed， and that is why women are good at sharpshooting。 Because there is not a woman alive who has not learned how to eat rage in order to appear calm。" So true。 Here is another great one， "I didn't necessarily want the other side dead; I only wanted them gone。 But they weren't going， and so help me， I would settle for dead。" She may have been a mild research librarian， but she was also a fierce fighter to be taken seriously。 My emotions were given a full workout as I read this book。 I cried more than once as I felt that my heart was completely wrung out。 Ms。 Quinn has the power to make a reader feel so many things; within a few chapters I felt rage， sorrow and hope。 And it is not all wartime misery; there is a beautiful romance， too。The history of Ms。 Pavlichenko as a sniper is fascinating。 The author's note thoroughly explains how much of the book is based on history as well as which parts were fictionalized。I cannot recommend this highly enough to readers who enjoy historical fiction about strong women。Thanks to the publisher， William Morrow and NetGalley for the e-card in exchange for my honest opinion。 。。。more
Dena
，
Perhaps the most intriguing first sentence of a book: " He stood with a pocketful of diamonds and a heart full of death， watching a Russian sniper shake hands with the First Lady of the United States。" How can you not keep reading after that？！？！ Although I found The Diamond Eye a bit less gripping than The Rose Code or The Alice Network， Kate Quinn still does not disappoint。 I almost wished I read the Author's notes first to realize just how much of the story was true because many parts did not Perhaps the most intriguing first sentence of a book: " He stood with a pocketful of diamonds and a heart full of death， watching a Russian sniper shake hands with the First Lady of the United States。" How can you not keep reading after that？！？！ Although I found The Diamond Eye a bit less gripping than The Rose Code or The Alice Network， Kate Quinn still does not disappoint。 I almost wished I read the Author's notes first to realize just how much of the story was true because many parts did not seem realistic， like Mila's friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt - though those parts of the book with the two of them where some of my favorite parts - Eleanor driving and later hemming pajamas。 Once again， Quinn does a magnificent job bringing to light the lesser known roles of the women who helped the Allies win WWII and I truly appreciate that。 I have to say the timing of this book being released is a bit tough。 It was really hard to feel drawn to a Russian sniper given Russia's current ruthless attacks on Ukrainians。 It is too bad Putin is not recalling how awful it was for Russia to be attacked by the Nazis， who were a considerably more powerful and well-resourced and trained Army; instead he acting in the same atrocious way towards Ukraine。 But back to the book， it is a great read。 。。。more
Mary-Claire R
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I was lucky enough to get an ARC because of our book club literarylifesavers！ This is another classic Kate Quinn！
Angel
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I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and this one was AMAZING。。。and this one is based on a true story？！ Who doesn't love that？ This had it all！ It's romantic， it's intense at times， as well as adventurous and still hopeful despite a war as the background setting。 This has a strong female character who is a sniper but she's still just a regular woman who is still a mom trying to survive during World War ll。 This is my first Kate Quinn novel and I loved it！ This is one book that will definitely st I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and this one was AMAZING。。。and this one is based on a true story？！ Who doesn't love that？ This had it all！ It's romantic， it's intense at times， as well as adventurous and still hopeful despite a war as the background setting。 This has a strong female character who is a sniper but she's still just a regular woman who is still a mom trying to survive during World War ll。 This is my first Kate Quinn novel and I loved it！ This is one book that will definitely stay with you！ I will definitely be picking up more of her books！ 。。。more
Lsdebdj
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Kate Quinn has once again fashioned a superbly well researched and well written book。 I became so immersed in the story I didn't want to stop listening。 Her characters and their personalities are so well developed you almost feel like you knew them personally。 I am a big historical fiction buff and The Diamond Eye talks about a part of history everyone should hear about。 The narrator， Saskia Maarleveld， does a great job making the written word come to life。 If you are into WWII historical fictio Kate Quinn has once again fashioned a superbly well researched and well written book。 I became so immersed in the story I didn't want to stop listening。 Her characters and their personalities are so well developed you almost feel like you knew them personally。 I am a big historical fiction buff and The Diamond Eye talks about a part of history everyone should hear about。 The narrator， Saskia Maarleveld， does a great job making the written word come to life。 If you are into WWII historical fiction I highly recommend The Diamond Eye。 。。。more
Piepie
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Kate Quinn doesn't disappoint and she is absolutely a historical fiction author that you should know。 Her newest novel is "immersive" and action-packed and puts you squarely in the life （and loves！） of a Russian female sniper who you have probably never heard of。 I loved how small vignettes from history were brought to light - such as Mila's BFF friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt。 Mila is a kickass heroine who you will adore。 Read this if you love WWII stories that keep you on the edge of your se Kate Quinn doesn't disappoint and she is absolutely a historical fiction author that you should know。 Her newest novel is "immersive" and action-packed and puts you squarely in the life （and loves！） of a Russian female sniper who you have probably never heard of。 I loved how small vignettes from history were brought to light - such as Mila's BFF friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt。 Mila is a kickass heroine who you will adore。 Read this if you love WWII stories that keep you on the edge of your seat。 Thank you， Netgalley， for my arc。 。。。more
Dayanara Ryelle
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Looking forward to this one！ I'm re-reading Mila's Rejected Princesses entry in anticipation。 Looking forward to this one！ I'm re-reading Mila's Rejected Princesses entry in anticipation。 。。。more
Julie
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Female sniper against the Nazis？ Say no more。 👌🏼
Melissa
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Kate Quinn has now produced two of my absolute favorite book heroines: Nina Markova and Lyudmila Pavlichenko。 Mila's true story is incredible， and Kate does justice to this badass woman。 I highly recommend it。 Kate Quinn has now produced two of my absolute favorite book heroines: Nina Markova and Lyudmila Pavlichenko。 Mila's true story is incredible， and Kate does justice to this badass woman。 I highly recommend it。 。。。more
Chelsie
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This was one of my first WWII reads from the viewpoint of a person from the Russian side of the war。 Very interesting read considering the events of the War in Ukraine currently happening。 I had no idea that there were women snipers and it was interesting to read about how Russia had no issues with women joining the war right along with men and how different the country thought of women compared to the US。 Based on the true story of Mila Pavlichenko， who became known as various names， one in par This was one of my first WWII reads from the viewpoint of a person from the Russian side of the war。 Very interesting read considering the events of the War in Ukraine currently happening。 I had no idea that there were women snipers and it was interesting to read about how Russia had no issues with women joining the war right along with men and how different the country thought of women compared to the US。 Based on the true story of Mila Pavlichenko， who became known as various names， one in particular - Lady Death- many thought this was a ploy by the Russians and she was all for show and not who she claimed to be。 She fought every step of the way during the war to gain any sort of recognition that she knew what she was doing and she knew this was life or death every time they stepped out to complete a mission。 Mila was then sent to the US on a good will mission for her to try and bring the two countries together and for her to essentially ask the US for help with the war。 She was turned into the face of Russia and although this was against everything she wanted to do and who she wanted to be - the good that came out of this was that she found a true friend in the US， First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt。 This was such a good read and the detail that the author put into this novel was amazing- at times I often felt I was right there with Mila waiting to pull the trigger！ This is a must read。 Thank you to the publisher William Morrow for sending me an ARC of this novel。 。。。more
D
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The author， Kate Quinn， has produced another marvelous work of historical fiction。 This book is about an actual World War II soldier of the Soviet Union who fought against the Romanians and Germans。 Her name is Lyudmila Pavlichenko; she was a sniper with an official tally of 309; her personal slogan was don't miss; and， she was called Lady Death。 In 1942， Mila visited the United States， Canada， and England to foster support in the opening of a second front。 A highlight of this goodwill tour was The author， Kate Quinn， has produced another marvelous work of historical fiction。 This book is about an actual World War II soldier of the Soviet Union who fought against the Romanians and Germans。 Her name is Lyudmila Pavlichenko; she was a sniper with an official tally of 309; her personal slogan was don't miss; and， she was called Lady Death。 In 1942， Mila visited the United States， Canada， and England to foster support in the opening of a second front。 A highlight of this goodwill tour was her personal interaction with President Franklin D。 and Mrs。 Eleanor Roosevelt。 The story weaves history with romance and mystery。 Character development is superb， pacing outstanding， and the conclusion quite satisfying。 I love books that feature strong， brave， and resourceful women， and Mila is definitely one of them。 Although a passive and submissive girly girl， I was able to adequately relate to the story's detail concerning being a military sniper because of my target shooting experiences over several summers at camp。 While relations with the USSR rapidly deteriorated after the war， the author correctly points out that the conflict may not have been won without them as allies。 XOXOXOs to Kate Quinn for creating The Diamond Eye。 It is truly wonderful。Note: This review is based on an Advance Reader's Edition received through goodreads。com。 。。。more
kateguas
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Winning this #goodreadsgiveaway was the best thing。 Very lucky to be treated to this brilliant book by Kate Quinn！
Erin
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Besties， Kate Quinn has done it again。 I’m not a fan of WWII fiction， but I will never hesitate to read a WWII novel if Kate Quinn is at the helm。 The Diamond Eye is almost a pseudo-autobiography， an engrossing re-imagining the official （state-sponsored） memoir of Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko。 When German troops reach the borders of the USSR， Mila abandons her quiet life as a library research assistant and history student to enlist in the Red Army。 The book moves between her time acclimati Besties， Kate Quinn has done it again。 I’m not a fan of WWII fiction， but I will never hesitate to read a WWII novel if Kate Quinn is at the helm。 The Diamond Eye is almost a pseudo-autobiography， an engrossing re-imagining the official （state-sponsored） memoir of Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko。 When German troops reach the borders of the USSR， Mila abandons her quiet life as a library research assistant and history student to enlist in the Red Army。 The book moves between her time acclimating to the horrors of war as she hones her deadly sharpshooting skills and her subsequent goodwill tour across America。 4/5: I really enjoyed this one; it wasn’t my favorite of Quinn’s （The Rose Code and Mistress of Rome hold that honor）， but it was impeccably researched and full of interesting characters。 Fans of The Huntress in particular should love The Diamond Eye’s deeper dive into Soviet resistance during the war。 Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review！ 。。。more
Dolank
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As a Kate Quinn fan， all I can do is shake my head and say; how did she do it again？？ Read this book， read her previous books， and then impatiently wait for her next book because Ms Quinn， you are good。
Katelyn Livorse
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*I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway as an ARC***No Spoilers**Rating:4/5 stars - an excellent read！If you are looking for a moving， yet action-packed story of an unlikely heroine， this book is for you。 Kate Quinn masterfully tells the story of a little known， yet skilled and valuable， Russian female soldier。 The Diamond Eye is based on the true story of a Russian Sniper named Lyudmila （Mila） Pavlichenko。 It is told in the first person， by Mila herself。 The book follows Mila as she *I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway as an ARC***No Spoilers**Rating:4/5 stars - an excellent read！If you are looking for a moving， yet action-packed story of an unlikely heroine， this book is for you。 Kate Quinn masterfully tells the story of a little known， yet skilled and valuable， Russian female soldier。 The Diamond Eye is based on the true story of a Russian Sniper named Lyudmila （Mila） Pavlichenko。 It is told in the first person， by Mila herself。 The book follows Mila as she transforms from citizen to sniper to unofficial ambassador for Russia to the United States during the second Word War。 While much of the story is embellished and events are added for plot， it is well researched historically accurate。 Much of the embellishments and events added have historical bases。 As seen in my rating， I enjoyed this book very much。 It was fast paced， but lingered at meaningful moments。 In addition， I thought the way Quinn crafted the character's thoughts of others， their home countries， and foreign countries was accurate and void of any personal bias。 I felt as though the characters were thinking， rather than the author， which I was pleased to see。 The way Quinn wrote her main character， Mila， was also exceptional。 She made it clear to the reader that while this was a fictional story， this was a real person。 She had the same doubts， fears， and emotions。 Not only was the story of a heroine told， but the story of a person who was just like us。 While there were very few things that I disliked about this book， the one thing that did stick out to me was the ending。 First off， a big part of the climax never happened in real life。 Without that part of the climax， I do think the book would have ended without much excitement。 However， when I read it， I felt as though the author had stopped writing a story based on true events， and began to write an entirely fictitiously。 It seemed too convenient， slightly forced， and also gave off the feeling of "I added this for the plot。" It wasn't the worst ending I ever read by any means， but I do wish it had the little sparkle the rest of the book did。 As for the set up of the book， I thought it was clever and engaging。 The chapters were manageable。 Most were medium in length but there were some longer/shorter ones。 The tense also switches between the "past" and "present。" The transitions were well written and I did not experience any confusion。 I did sometimes get frustrated when the tenses switched because they occasionally happened in the middle of a stressful and/or exciting event。 However， it did keep me reading and the edge of my seat， waiting for what was to happen next。 At the beginning of chapters and sections where the tenses switched， Quinn added snippets of journals/memoirs from the characters。 I loved reading these almost as much as I enjoyed reading the story itself。 The Diamond Eye is a great book to curl up on a rainy day with a cup of tea or coffee。 Anyone who is interested in history， fiction， and intrigue will adore reading it。 The Diamond Eye does have some allusions to sexual content， but there is nothing explicit。 I would not recommend this book to young people who do not yet understand the heavy topics covered in the book （such as war， Communism， the sexual allusions）。 However for those who can grasp these concepts， it will be a page-turner。 。。。more
Michelle Wilson
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I have not read this book。 I have ordered it and it did not appear on my Kindle so I cancelled it。 Now I know it is going to be published on the 29 of March。 That is the reason it did not show on the Kindle。 I’ll order it again because I like Ms。 Quinn
Jay Dwight
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A fascinating story， made all the more fascinating by reading the author's notes at the end and learning how much of this story is steeped in fact。 Mila Pavlichenko's story from young mother aiming to be a historian， to becoming Russia's best sniper in WWII， with literary licence taken by Kate Quinn to fill in the gaps made for a totally engrossing read。 A fascinating story， made all the more fascinating by reading the author's notes at the end and learning how much of this story is steeped in fact。 Mila Pavlichenko's story from young mother aiming to be a historian， to becoming Russia's best sniper in WWII， with literary licence taken by Kate Quinn to fill in the gaps made for a totally engrossing read。 。。。more
Linda
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A young mom/student becomes one of the most deadly snipers in WWII。 Love these historical novels that are based on so much truth that they could almost be nonfiction。 The drama and suspense are top notch; the characters really form an emotional bond with the reader。 It seems so timely as the heroine is Ukrainian （part of Russia at that time） and fighting against the invaders。 Great storytelling by Kate Quinn！Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow/HarperCollins for the ARC to read and review。
Mary Lourdes
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I love this author。 Kate Quinn writes beautiful， exacting prose。 I devoured the previous books she has written about women in wartime。 This book focuses on a Russian female sniper during WWII， and her subsequent tour of the USA to drum up American support to aid the Allies in WWII。 Maybe it is a reaction to the events currently happening with Russia and the Ukraine， but I could not warm up to this character at all， and my mine kept veering to Russia after WWII and the cold war。 While the plot wa I love this author。 Kate Quinn writes beautiful， exacting prose。 I devoured the previous books she has written about women in wartime。 This book focuses on a Russian female sniper during WWII， and her subsequent tour of the USA to drum up American support to aid the Allies in WWII。 Maybe it is a reaction to the events currently happening with Russia and the Ukraine， but I could not warm up to this character at all， and my mine kept veering to Russia after WWII and the cold war。 While the plot was swift， and the descriptive language on point， I could not care if the main character survived all her trials and tribulations。 。。。more
Alissa
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This was a bit long but overall it is a fascinating。 Based on a true story this suspenseful novel follows a Russian sniper during world war 2。 We follow her early career and this is juxtaposed with her propaganda tour to the US where she becomes friends with Eleanor Roosevelt。 Also interesting to be reading while Russia invaded Ukraine in March 2022
Karen Clements
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Kate Quinn has become a “must read” author for me， and this didn’t disappoint。 I really enjoyed getting to know famed World War II female Red Army sniper Lyudmila "Mila" Pavlichenko in this enthralling tale， which has two plotlines that converge later in the novel。 The earlier story introduces 21-year-old Mila， university student and already a mother to five-year-old son Slavka， frustrated with her erstwhile husband， Alexei， who always misses their divorce appointments despite not wanting to be Kate Quinn has become a “must read” author for me， and this didn’t disappoint。 I really enjoyed getting to know famed World War II female Red Army sniper Lyudmila "Mila" Pavlichenko in this enthralling tale， which has two plotlines that converge later in the novel。 The earlier story introduces 21-year-old Mila， university student and already a mother to five-year-old son Slavka， frustrated with her erstwhile husband， Alexei， who always misses their divorce appointments despite not wanting to be live with her。 She enrolls in marksmanship classes as much to prove something to Alexei as for herself and soon excels at the skills she learns。 When Germany invades the Soviet Union in 1941， Ukranian-born Mila enlists in the army and offers her skills to fight off the unwelcome “Hitlerites，” though she finds many officers who would prefer her to serve as a nurse。 Eventually she secures a place as a sniper and eventually a leader of other snipers。 The second plot revolves around the 1942 visit of a Soviet delegation to the United States， intended to foster good will among the allies and to secure American aid to the Russian war effort。 Unbeknownst to anyone， sinister elements in the US are plotting to assassinate FDR， and a stealthy American marksman has hatched a plan to pin the kill shot on none other than “Lady Death” herself during a White House stop。 The two narratives come together and bring urgency to the read， which is interspersed with notes from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt， who befriends Mila。 I appreciated Mila’s point of view and learned much about life on the front lines for a sniper。 Reading this during the recent developments in Ukraine brought a poignancy to the book that it might not otherwise have had， and Mila’s strong， defiant rejection of the WWII invaders is indicative of the fierce reaction I see by today’s Ukranians。 Highly recommended 。。。more
LeeAnn
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Kate Quinn is the queen。 This book is， in my opinion， her best yet。Mila is a strong heroine， with a heart of gold。Also， I recommend the song "Lady of the Dark" by Sabaton to go with this timely read。 Kate Quinn is the queen。 This book is， in my opinion， her best yet。Mila is a strong heroine， with a heart of gold。Also， I recommend the song "Lady of the Dark" by Sabaton to go with this timely read。 。。。more
Joan
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Kate Quinn is a master storyteller。 I was held by this book for several days as I read it。 The details and development of the characters made them all so memorable and real。 The story itself is simply astounding - perhaps even more so right now against the backdrop of current world events。 Following the book， I spent several more days reading more about Mila Pavlichenko， which just added to the depth of The Diamond Eye。 I loved this book。
Elyse Rudin
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My daughter received an advance copy and we are both big fans of this author。 For me the fan is now a little smaller。 The character is based on an actual person。 WWII， Germany invades Russia and Mila at the age of 21 enlists as a sharpshooter。 She is the mother of a 6 year old and has been trying unsuccessfully to divorce her son’s father， an egotistical surgeon。 She also develops a wonderful friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt （based on actual facts） and there is a secondary story dealing with Fr My daughter received an advance copy and we are both big fans of this author。 For me the fan is now a little smaller。 The character is based on an actual person。 WWII， Germany invades Russia and Mila at the age of 21 enlists as a sharpshooter。 She is the mother of a 6 year old and has been trying unsuccessfully to divorce her son’s father， an egotistical surgeon。 She also develops a wonderful friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt （based on actual facts） and there is a secondary story dealing with Franklin Roosevelt that is ridiculous。 I was not invested in any of the characters and was so disappointed with this novel。 。。。more
Amanda McGahee
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I love Kate Quinn as an author， and “The Diamond Eye” did not disappoint。 The main character is a gritty and resilient woman （and is based on a real person）。 My favorite part of the novel was the unexpected friendship that developed between Mila and Eleanor Roosevelt。 Even though I have read so many historical fiction novels based on WW2， Quinn was able to weave a story about the same time period that kept my attention and was enjoyable。This novel is being released during an active conflict due I love Kate Quinn as an author， and “The Diamond Eye” did not disappoint。 The main character is a gritty and resilient woman （and is based on a real person）。 My favorite part of the novel was the unexpected friendship that developed between Mila and Eleanor Roosevelt。 Even though I have read so many historical fiction novels based on WW2， Quinn was able to weave a story about the same time period that kept my attention and was enjoyable。This novel is being released during an active conflict due to Russia invading Ukraine， and it is obviously hard to feel sympathy for Russia right now。 However， the fact that Mila serves in the Russian army should not detract anyone from reading this book。 “The Diamond Eye” takes place while Germany is invading Russia。 I won a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway。 。。。more
Carolyn
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March，2022。 The synchronicity of reading this book just as Putin’s Russia invades the Ukraine is shocking。 The Diamond Eye， by Kate Quinn， is set in Ukraine， 1941， as Hitler invades Russia。 As part of the USSR， Ukrainians are eager to help defend Russia。 Even Lyudmila （Mila） Pavlichenko， a librarian and history researcher， is motivated to use her sharpshooter skills to train to become a sniper。Abandoned by her husband， a surgeon， Mila is raising her son， Slavka， alone with the help of her parent March，2022。 The synchronicity of reading this book just as Putin’s Russia invades the Ukraine is shocking。 The Diamond Eye， by Kate Quinn， is set in Ukraine， 1941， as Hitler invades Russia。 As part of the USSR， Ukrainians are eager to help defend Russia。 Even Lyudmila （Mila） Pavlichenko， a librarian and history researcher， is motivated to use her sharpshooter skills to train to become a sniper。Abandoned by her husband， a surgeon， Mila is raising her son， Slavka， alone with the help of her parents in Kiev。 Now she must leave them to serve in the Russian military at the front lines。 She is a stand-out sniper and as she racks up dozens and dozens of “kills” which earns her the nickname of Lady Death。As Mila serves at the front lines， she falls in love， has injuries， and is plagued by the nearby presence of her husband， now a military surgeon。 Mila suffers great losses and pain and after 309 “kills，” her role as a sniper ends and she is ordered to serve in the war of “propaganda” as a member of a Russian delegation to the United States。Quinn formats the story in a flashback style， juxtaposing chapters about the 1942 White House visit by the Russian Delegation with chapters telling the story of Mila on the front lines。 Quinn inserts humor by prefacing many chapters with “My memoir， the official version” vs “My memoir， the unofficial version。” Another feature is that after chapters about the white house visit， we also read “Notes by the First Lady，” containing reflections by Eleanor Roosevelt。The Diamond Eye is based on a true story， and Mila and Eleanor did become good friends。 I am a fan of Kate Quinn， having adored The Rose Code and the Alice Network; however， I was not sure a story about a female sniper would appeal。 Wow was I wrong！ And that this book landed in my hands the same day that Putin invaded the Ukraine。 I wonder what books will be written years from now abut Putin’s war in Ukraine。Rating 5 。。。more
Jackie
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I was able to receive an advance copy of this book by chance。 I’m just your typical library reader who entered to receive a copy and was surprised to see one in my mailbox。 I have read all of Kate Quinn’s books and this one did not disappoint。 While I have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books， this one has to be my favorite。 I fell in love with the characters of the book and laughed and cried along with them。 An immersive read。 Pre order a copy， you won’t be sorry！
Michelle
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4。5Another well-researched and beautifully written book by Kate Quinn。 Although I didn't enjoy this story as much as some of her previous novels， this was not due to her writing。 The main character and subject matter （a female Russian sniper） don't have the same appeal to me as those of previous works。 However， as always， Kate Quinn does a beautiful job of weaving fiction with true story to create a convincing narrative of the life of Lyudmila。 I am so impressed by the realism and detail of the 4。5Another well-researched and beautifully written book by Kate Quinn。 Although I didn't enjoy this story as much as some of her previous novels， this was not due to her writing。 The main character and subject matter （a female Russian sniper） don't have the same appeal to me as those of previous works。 However， as always， Kate Quinn does a beautiful job of weaving fiction with true story to create a convincing narrative of the life of Lyudmila。 I am so impressed by the realism and detail of the writing which though based on truth， has been embellished by the author。 Highly recommend。Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more
Denise Velarde
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