Historical

The Diamond Eye

The Diamond Eye

  • Downloads：5535
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-05-22 06:52:12
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Kate Quinn
  • ISBN：0008523029
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

In the snowbound city of Kiev， wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son—but Hitler’s invasion of Russia sends her on a different path。 Given a rifle and sent to join the fight， Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper—a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death。 When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine， Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour。

Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss， Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington， DC—until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness。 But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows， Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life。

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Reviews

Mili ，

I like the way Kate Quinn writes front line war women。 Particularly Soviet women。 More pls。 Extra star for the little wink to Nina Markova in this as she is my absolute favourite。

Julie ，

Big fan of this author。 Did get a little lost in some of the characters though。 I feel like I’ve read this story in another book also？

Jenna ，

I was so engrossed。 The fact that Mila was a real person， with only two true fictional characters incorporated into the book， was inspiring。 That she could go from a history student to a sniper really shows that women can do anything。 The entire story line was thrilling and captivating。 100% recommend and so far is my favorite of her books。 I also loved the shout out to some of my other favorite characters， in particular the amazing night witches。

Amy ，

I love author Kate Quinn and have really enjoyed several of her books but this book was so hard to get through that I finally quit。 I read/skimmed the first third of the book and the story never engaged me or drew me in。 While the premise of the story sounds fascinating， the execution was painfully dry and boring。 Maybe the second half of the book becomes more interesting but I'll never know。 I just couldn't get that far。。。 I love author Kate Quinn and have really enjoyed several of her books but this book was so hard to get through that I finally quit。 I read/skimmed the first third of the book and the story never engaged me or drew me in。 While the premise of the story sounds fascinating， the execution was painfully dry and boring。 Maybe the second half of the book becomes more interesting but I'll never know。 I just couldn't get that far。。。 。。。more

Lesley Swanson ，

Wow this woman can write loved it

Sherril Gerell ，

When I thought Kate Quinn could not out do herself she has written another great book。 At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book with all the battles and killing but when the second half evolved I became more intrigued。 I knew this was based on a true story but not until I read Author's Note did I find out that most of this story was based on fact。 Only a few characters and incidents were added by the author。 Bravo to Kate Quinn for writing a book opening up some history I did not kno When I thought Kate Quinn could not out do herself she has written another great book。 At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book with all the battles and killing but when the second half evolved I became more intrigued。 I knew this was based on a true story but not until I read Author's Note did I find out that most of this story was based on fact。 Only a few characters and incidents were added by the author。 Bravo to Kate Quinn for writing a book opening up some history I did not know。 。。。more

Nancy Wieme ，

Great story about a person I had not heard about before reading this book。 A bit long - especially the sniper descriptions， but probably necessary。Overall a great read！

Donna Tikuisis ，

A very interesting historical fiction about a W W2 Russian female sniper。 Well written， interesting and with a bit of harrowing drama。

Ashley ，

Was this book a bit boring？ Yes。 Did this book have painstaking details about combat that I didn't appreciate？ Yes。 Did I consider not finishing this book？ Yes。 Did I finish it and actually decide that I liked it？ Also， yes。 Was this book a bit boring？ Yes。 Did this book have painstaking details about combat that I didn't appreciate？ Yes。 Did I consider not finishing this book？ Yes。 Did I finish it and actually decide that I liked it？ Also， yes。 。。。more

Michele ，

（This is a review of the audiobook。） I really love Kate Quinn's novels， and now that I know they're usually based on historical events and people， they're that much more fun。 Don't miss the author's note at the end！ （This is a review of the audiobook。） I really love Kate Quinn's novels， and now that I know they're usually based on historical events and people， they're that much more fun。 Don't miss the author's note at the end！ 。。。more

Ariail Heath ，

Read this book if you are apt to fight for what you love， know women can do anything a man can， and a good underdog story。 You probably have never heard of Mila Pavlichenko， Russian's deadliest sniper in the World War II。 Mila begins to think her life is going to be a painful struggle of trying to convince her husband to settle their divorce。 Serving as both mother and father to her son， she takes a sharp shooting course to perfect her talents and ends up unexpectedly in the USSR military leadin Read this book if you are apt to fight for what you love， know women can do anything a man can， and a good underdog story。 You probably have never heard of Mila Pavlichenko， Russian's deadliest sniper in the World War II。 Mila begins to think her life is going to be a painful struggle of trying to convince her husband to settle their divorce。 Serving as both mother and father to her son， she takes a sharp shooting course to perfect her talents and ends up unexpectedly in the USSR military leading a team of sharp shooters。 Following her journey through the pains of war， we get to watch her pain first hand and how it shapes her for the rest of her。 Years later， she is brought to America to speak on the dangers of the Germans and sparks up a friendship with the first lady， Eleanor Roosevelt。 Though both women are vastly different from each other， they embrace their friendship and learn from each other。 Well， Mila Pavlichenko you are the epitome of a bad ass。 Though many of us will never be able to understand what this woman went through， we can stop and admire the drive Mila had to protect her family and her country。 Through all her strives and difficulties， Mila shows an unconditional love that we can all aspire to attain。 This book was beautiful， heartbreaking， inspiring， and reflective。 。。。more

Julie ，

This is a historical novel based on a real character， which is not only an account of the extraordinary life of Lyudmila Pavlichenko， but also a genuinely tense thriller。 Kate Quinn is the successful author of “The Rose Code” which looked at women at Bletchley Park which also used some real characters including Prince Philip， and includes a large element of historical suspense。 This book is also set during the Second World War， largely as the Red Army tried to prevent the Invasion of the USSR by This is a historical novel based on a real character， which is not only an account of the extraordinary life of Lyudmila Pavlichenko， but also a genuinely tense thriller。 Kate Quinn is the successful author of “The Rose Code” which looked at women at Bletchley Park which also used some real characters including Prince Philip， and includes a large element of historical suspense。 This book is also set during the Second World War， largely as the Red Army tried to prevent the Invasion of the USSR by Hitler’s forces， as Mila fights as a successful sniper。 Another element is the visit by a group of students， which includes Mila， to the US in order to ask for American support in defending Eastern Europe。 While this was a real event， the novel imports the idea of a fictional marksman who has a mysterious assignment to kill， and to attribute the blame to an innocent party。 This is a stylish and powerful novel which depicts brilliantly the harsh realities of military action， where the targets are of necessity seen close up and the penalties for failure can be fatal。 It has a brutal atmosphere in which a woman lives among male soldiers。 Mila emerges as a driven woman， an able and dedicated student， a loving mother and a ferocious and controlled sniper。 Her relationships with her estranged husband and those men who become of vital importance to her are beautifully described throughout the novel。 Her mantra becomes “Don’t Miss”， and this becomes the theme not only for her main purpose as a deadly sniper， but also her life。 A relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt seems ill fated， but may well take both women into unsuspected places。 There is so much research behind this novel， but it is never allowed to interrupt or slow the narrative。 It becomes the story of a realistic and driven woman， a vivid and vital character， and she is central to this multi-layered story。 I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this amazing book。The Prologue to this book is set in Washington August 1942， as a Russian delegation arrives in the United States。 A mysterious marksman echoes the widespread scepticism that surrounds the idea of a female sniper， a seemingly young woman who is alleged to have a tally of over three hundred kills on the Russian Front。 The action then reverts to 1937， and an incident in the life of Mila as she encounters her estranged husband Alexi。 Enraged by his latest non attendance at an appointment to finalise their divorce， Mila fails to impress at target shooting in front of him and crucially their small son Slavka。 As a result she decides to train for an advanced marksmanship award， in order to show Slavka that she can be a strong parent。 As the focus of the story moves on to June 1941 and the notification of an invasion， Mila decides that she will not continue her studies into obscure historical figures but will instead enlist as a sniper。 As the only army which put women on the front line in this way， Mila was a figure of curiosity not only in her native country but in many countries。 The hardship of life and the conditions for all soldiers but especially a young woman forms the background for Mila’s intense work as a sniper， preparing sight lines， finding a hiding place， calculating the weather and the dozens of other preparations that she and her partner must make。 She is put in charge of training recruits， but it is the making of relationships in the face of daily danger that defines this part of the book。 There is a build up of tension so many times， as well as the overall build up to the American threat。 This is an excellent book in so many ways; there is romance， a portrait of a strong woman， the harsh realities of war as well as the long term build up to a suspense filled climax。 I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a strong narrative with a female protagonist who describes her life， loves and loss in a compelling way。 。。。more

Nicole ，

I never really have loved WWII novels but this was such a captivating book。 I loved Mila's perspective - I don't know that I've ever read a novel based in Russia during this time period。 And I thought learning about this sniper and seeing how her life progressed over the first few years of the war was really fantastic。 I always love Kate Quinn's historical novels and this was no different。 I never really have loved WWII novels but this was such a captivating book。 I loved Mila's perspective - I don't know that I've ever read a novel based in Russia during this time period。 And I thought learning about this sniper and seeing how her life progressed over the first few years of the war was really fantastic。 I always love Kate Quinn's historical novels and this was no different。 。。。more

Annick ，

The retelling of Mila’ biography in this historical fiction is hands down killer。 The bitch can shoot。 Lyudmila Mkhailovna Pavlichenko - aka Mila， aka Lady Death。Never underestimate a wee bookworm。 This girl finds her calling amidst WWII， when she is given a rifle and sent to join the war。 "A sniper is more than a marksman。 A sniper is a patient hunter - he takes a single shot， and if he misses， he may pay for it with his life。” Don’t miss。 Mila has a bumpy start。 At sixteen years of age， she is The retelling of Mila’ biography in this historical fiction is hands down killer。 The bitch can shoot。 Lyudmila Mkhailovna Pavlichenko - aka Mila， aka Lady Death。Never underestimate a wee bookworm。 This girl finds her calling amidst WWII， when she is given a rifle and sent to join the war。 "A sniper is more than a marksman。 A sniper is a patient hunter - he takes a single shot， and if he misses， he may pay for it with his life。” Don’t miss。 Mila has a bumpy start。 At sixteen years of age， she is swept off her feet by a dashing guy， Alexi， becomes pregnant and gives birth to their son Slavka。 Alexi is a successful and respected surgeon at the hospital， but his bedside manners are left to be desired where Mila and Slavka are concerned。 Mila excelling in her advance marksmanship course learning the finer points of ballistics and weaponry is not well received by Alexi。Enter WWII， Mila enlists。The war is where Mila flourishes and proves herself as an accurate shooter gaining respect from her superiors and fellow soldiers。 This is not without more bumps， trips to the hospital， surgeries， recoveries， always getting right back to the front line。 Proving herself to be an independent driven woman。 Snipers do not work solo。 Mila is encouraged to find a partner， someone who can support， protect and intimately focus on the task。 A bond。 A mate。 The one who will， without question， be there。 The one。“Will you be my partner？” I asked simply。He answered just as simply。 “Yes， Pavlichenko。” “If you’ve got my back out there， you can call me Mila。” I offered him a cigarette。 “What’s your name， K。 A。 Shevelyov？”“Konstantine Andreyvich。” He lit up， drawing down a curl of smoke。 “Kostia”。Watch， now。 That’s a day in the life of a sniper。 One hunt。 Twenty-eight kills。 And I’d found me my partner， my shadow， my other half。 There is something exceptionally powerful to have a partnership that is mutual and trustworthy between a female and male bond… this only flourishes throughout the war。 （This was my favourite aspect of the entire story， there are other boys… but there is only one soul mate） This celebrated library-researcher-turned-sniper who was responsible for 309 kills during World War II， too America by storm during a publicity tour in 1942， hobnobbed with Hollywood stars， and became White House besties with Eleanor Roosevelt。 Yes， this is very true。 Mila travels to America for a publicity tour。Mila at war。 Mila in America。I savored Kate Quinn’s dynamic delivery of the material。The tension of the war + The puzzling publicity tour， amidst the war = The culmination of all the character’s arcs （and reveals） craftily woven， just to keep you wanting more。How can all this be real？ Can a book about a war be delightful？ I think I squealed a few times - I just didn’t see that coming。 I would not make a good sniper。 Ha！Loved this story， and the love within。 。。。more

Shannon ，

Riveting story about a woman sniper in the red army during WWII。 She defied stereotypes with her humanity shining through her deadly job of being a sniper。 It was particularly interesting to me to read about her battles in Ukraine with the devastation that is happening there today。 I could easily picture it all， feeling so real。

Andrea DeBusschere ，

"Because there is not a woman alive who has not learned how to eat rage in order to appear calm。"If there is one thing you can say about Kate Quinn， it's that she knows how to keep a reader engaged。 Even though I found the book predicable in many places， I found myself craving its predictably。 Lyudmila is the type of character you find yourself cheering for despite yourself。 Based on a true story， I finished plagued with the question "was she really the person she said she was？？" Thoroughly enjo "Because there is not a woman alive who has not learned how to eat rage in order to appear calm。"If there is one thing you can say about Kate Quinn， it's that she knows how to keep a reader engaged。 Even though I found the book predicable in many places， I found myself craving its predictably。 Lyudmila is the type of character you find yourself cheering for despite yourself。 Based on a true story， I finished plagued with the question "was she really the person she said she was？？" Thoroughly enjoyed。 。。。more

Janet Rosfeld ，

I wish that I could give this book more than five stars。 It is simply a fantastic piece of immersive historical storytelling。 This is the story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko， a Russian sniper during World War II， who had over 309 confirmed kills。 How she became "Lady Death"， her nickname is a remarkable story by an author， who is at the top of her game。 Mila went from a 15 year old mother to a college student to a sniper in the Red Army fighting in some of the most critical battles on the western fron I wish that I could give this book more than five stars。 It is simply a fantastic piece of immersive historical storytelling。 This is the story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko， a Russian sniper during World War II， who had over 309 confirmed kills。 How she became "Lady Death"， her nickname is a remarkable story by an author， who is at the top of her game。 Mila went from a 15 year old mother to a college student to a sniper in the Red Army fighting in some of the most critical battles on the western front。 The ending of this book is flat out thrilling。 I was holding my breath。 This would make a terrific movie。 。。。more

Karen ，

Kate Quinn does it again。 Great characters！ Great narration！ Incredible writing。 Always appreciate the details at the end telling the rest of the story！ Cannot say thanks enough for bringing little known heroines to light！

Barbara White ，

As a fan of both Kate Quinn and Saskia Marrleverd--one of my favorite narrators due to her talent for accents--I opted for the audiobook version of THE DIAMOND EYE。 As a history major， I know I'm in for a treat when I spend as much time researching the truth as I do reading the fiction。 I loved everything about this compelling， tension-filled story。 Mila is an incredible character--full of contradictions and focus。 How can you not be intrigued by a bookish historian and devoted mother who become As a fan of both Kate Quinn and Saskia Marrleverd--one of my favorite narrators due to her talent for accents--I opted for the audiobook version of THE DIAMOND EYE。 As a history major， I know I'm in for a treat when I spend as much time researching the truth as I do reading the fiction。 I loved everything about this compelling， tension-filled story。 Mila is an incredible character--full of contradictions and focus。 How can you not be intrigued by a bookish historian and devoted mother who becomes one of history's deadliest snipers and Eleanor Roosevelts's BFF？ THE DIAMOND EYE is one of those novels I wish I could experience--again--for the first time。 。。。more

Sonya ，

4。5 starts

Haidee Scott ，

A fictional depiction of Lyudmila Pavlichenko， real-life Russian WWII hero。 I’m always a fan of books with a sting female lead， but this was a riveting page-turner， made all the more special at the end with the discovery that Mila is real。 I’m off to find more books by this author！

Raquel Roizman ，

My first Kate Quinn book。 Loved it from start to finish。 Kind of odd and somewhat disturbing to read it during the current attack of Ukraine， yet this does add to the experience of wars old and new。

Missi ，

A good read

Sue Lovell ，

3。5

Kristin Redburn ，

The Diamond Eye by Kate QuinnLove to read historical novels of WWII and this one is a jewel！ （Pun intended） Based on the true story of a Russian woman sniper， it follows her defense of Russia against the encroaching Nazi soldiers， follows her to the US to meet with Eleanor and to save FDR from an assassination attempt， and mixes in an unforgettable love story and and satisfying conclusion。 You can never go wrong with Kate Quinn。

Becky Fann ，

Another historical winner。 Rose Quinn has become one of my favorite authored。 Again I was compelled to go to Google to learn more。

Leisa Cleveland ，

Well written。 Well researched。 A history lesson wrapped up in a great story。 Bravo 👏🏻

Alaura Filbin ，

Another five star read from Kate Quinn！ Following Lyudmila Pavlichenko during her time as a sniper for the Red Army during WWII and her American goodwill tour， I was captivated by Mila's character， by her extraordinary circumstances， and the fascinating mystery Quinn concocted for her admist historical fact。 I lost count of how many times I cried and have flagged so many memorable quotes with tabbies。I loved The Diamond Eye and I'm eagerly awaiting Quinn's next masterpiece！ Another five star read from Kate Quinn！ Following Lyudmila Pavlichenko during her time as a sniper for the Red Army during WWII and her American goodwill tour， I was captivated by Mila's character， by her extraordinary circumstances， and the fascinating mystery Quinn concocted for her admist historical fact。 I lost count of how many times I cried and have flagged so many memorable quotes with tabbies。I loved The Diamond Eye and I'm eagerly awaiting Quinn's next masterpiece！ 。。。more

Melissa Kayden ，

3。5 stars - though this book was really hard to read as Russia invades Ukraine and commits a lot of the same atrocities now that they talk about Germany committing in the book。 But it was very interesting to see the storyline of Russians coming to America and befriending the Roosevelts。 Super interesting apart and slow at others， otherwise it would be rated higher。

Christie McKee ，

Another Kate Quinn winner！ It was a little slower getting into this one， but then it took off--and the surprises at the end were worth it all！ Love this unknown history。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Diamond Eye

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Diamond Eye&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Diamond Eye&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0