What a great read. Great historical thriller but with the added thrill of a LN assassin. This book let me gripped the whole way through. Highly recommend

A 5 star book from Kate Quinn! I am a little late posting this review but the book is soooo good; all based on the true story from WW2 of a Russian woman sniper called Mila Pavilichenko who was credited with 309 sniper kills.

Hitler invades Russia in June 1941 and Mila immediately joins up at the Odesa office and leaves her history studies at the university. She joined the infantry and trained as a sniper and was later nicknamed Lady Death. This took great courage as she left behind her young son with her parents as she was already seeking a divorce from her husband.

Kate Quinn weaves fiction and fact together to produce a fantastic book based on these true events and the life of Mila Pavilchenko. In 1942 she is chosen as one of the soviet delegates to travel to the USA and to try to persuade Roosevelt and America to join the was and provide aid. She makes an instant impression on the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She is not aware however off a plot to kill the President and indeed becomes frustrated as she wants to get back to Russia and her job as sniper, not be in PR!

How does it all end? This is a fascinating account of Mila's life, achievements, history and was a great book to read. I had previously read The Alice Network by KQ and look forward to reading the rest that she has written - bold brave works to devour!

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn ⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Germany invades Russia, Mila doesn’t hesitate in enlisting to serve the Motherland, leaving behind her young son and dreams of becoming a historian.

We follow Mila through the horrors of war as she becomes one of the country’s deadliest snippers, and then as she travels through America as part of a delegation trying muster support for the cause

This book is based on the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko and the research that has gone into fictionalising her experiences is brilliant, however maybe because of the restrictions of basing a book on a real person the storyline just wasn’t as riveting as her others

I absolutely adore Kate Quinn's writing, I find it absorbing and also educational in parts too as I immerse myself in history. This novel is no exception, it was a fabulous read.

Based on a true story - of a female sniper (Mila) in the Second World War - this novel has also been fictionalised so there are various parts of the plot which aren't true... but it doesn't feel like that, it is so cleverly written and woven together that it's impossible to know which parts are true and which parts aren't. I was totally gripped and afterwards I just wanted to know more. I looked up the real-life Mila and was amazed by her story.

When reading The Diamond Eye I found myself completely believing everything that was happening and I was totally transported into the era - this is a very clever skill for an author to have. Kate Quinn's research is impeccable - the little details she knows about guns... incredible!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and can't wait to read more novels from her in the future!

I only recieved the ARC of this book a couple of days before the publication date and when I realised it was set in Ukraine I decided not to read it as the news from the Russian invasion and bombardment was too awful. Having waited for a few months I discovered that although the book is set in the Ukraine (as it was then) it is not really about that area. It is all about Mila and her development into a sniper and how she used her skills. The first half of the book is certainly the strongest writing I have read by Kate Quinn. Excellent sense of time and place and with a real sense of her feelings. The second half, set during her visit to the USA was more of what I expected from Kate Quinn but still a very good read. Overall I think this is the author's best book yet although I haven't read all of her work. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for a digital copy of this book to read and review. Sorry for the delay.

As always with Kate Quinn, this book is beautifully researched. The Diamond Eye features an element of WW2 history I wasn't familiar with and centres on a female Russian sniper. Mila is an engaging heroine and this is an engrossing novel

Kate Quinn is a fantastic historical fiction writer. I loved the Rose Code which made me visit Bletchley Park as the story fascinated me so much. I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately I won't be able to visit the locations from this one! This is another well researched story based on a real Ukranian sniper. Great writing and a fascinating subject.

What an awesome book - superb mostly true story, incredibly written, wonderful characters. I was gripped on every page. If someone had suggested that I read a book about a female Russian sniper during the Second World War I would have expected to be bored & perhaps horrified at the thought of all the gore. Although there were obviously elements of the horrific nature of was there was above all a human tale of courage, loyalty & love. It would make for a great film!

What an excellent book!
I have read many books set in WW2 and there are lots that are of a similar topic, do it’s always exciting to find something a little bit different.
I enjoyed finding out about a new heroine and a topical one at that.
Thoroughly recommend it if you’re looking for a story that’s a little bit different where you can’t help but feel for the main character Mila.

This book is a fascinating account of a Second World War in the east.
Mila is from Kyiv and this is the story of her contribution to the Soviet response to Hitler's invasion of Russia.
She is tiny and underestimated but becomes among the best snipers of her army.
Told in two parts, the fighting and her introduction to the USA where an unknown enemy lurks to discredit her.
I love the characters, I enjoyed the different take on a war I thought I knew about.

I received a copy of #TheDiamondEye to review from #NetGalley.

I'm late with my review due to personal reasons however, I have recently finished and all opinions are my own.

As a fan of The Rose Code by Kate Quinn i was delighted to be given the opportunity to read and review this story. I also love WW2 historical fiction and one of my all-time favourite books is The Bronze Horseman which is also set in Russia during WW2.

The Diamond Eye gripped me from the beginning. A story of a woman, mother, student who wanted to prove that she could bring her son up without a father and aims to do her best for him and be everything that he needs.

Mila Pavlichenko was a mother at 15 and when her young son wanted to learn to shoot, she vowed to be the one to teach him. She gained her marksmanship qualification while studying history and helping her son with his schoolwork. When war breaks out she feels an obligation to serve and defend her country becoming known as Lady Death for her sniper skills and the number of enemies she killed. Her journey is wrought with love, friendship, death and adversity.

The writing is detailed but not overly so that it drags, while reading I felt as though i was experiencing what Mila was and that i was in the moment with her. I loved that this was based on a true story and the authors notes at the end were also very interesting and included some pictures of Mila.

This is the 2nd great book I have read by Kate Quinn and I can't wait to read more.

What a brilliant book! This story describes the experiences of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a real woman who served as a sniper on the Russian front during WW2. The description of life on the front is both fascinating and terrifying.....and the author used Lyudmila's memoirs to ensure a factual description of life at that time. This is a truly enthralling account of one woman's experiences of WW2 with a fictional story woven through it. Absolutely brilliant! A great read for anyone interested in WW2. Highly recommended!

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn is an extraordinary story based on the life of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a celebrated library researcher turned Russian sniper responsible for 309 kills during WW2, then took America by storm during a publicity tour in 1942.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating story which sheds the light on a courageous, determined, strong and passionate woman during her tough time through WW2 as a Russian sniper at the top of her game. It’s a very human and unexpected account of the strength and commitment of this incredible woman and I absolutely recommend ’The Diamond Eye’ it’s very powerful, her mental strength to consciously achieve her goals of killing the enemy is amazing…it’s one of my top reads this year.
Big thanks to Kate Quinn, HarperCollins and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

A superbly researched and beautifully related historical fiction based on the WW2 heroine Lyudmila (Mila) Pavilchenko. A stunning story with much factual basis. We first meet Mila, aged 15years old, pregnant with her beloved son and married to a disinterested and cold Physician. Mila soon swaps her historical research studies for a gun when Nazi Germany invades the Soviet Union. She had some prior experience with shooting as a hobby, so is sent on vigorous weapons training in the Soviet Army to train as a sniper. Her skills and leadership combined with a no nonsense attitude soon earn her status as an honorary male and mostly accepted within the ranks. It is a story of endurance, hardship, loss, bravery and heroism, dotted with some romance and a lot of weaponry. Mila becomes famed for her tally of 300+ kills and is soon recruited as part of a delegation sent to The United States to persuade them to join the fight. Mila faces the speeches with trepidation, and is initially met with a suspicious and cold media response. Despite the trauma of her experiences in the war, the trauma of her losses and the difficulties faced pleading for aid, Mila continues in her efforts. The audiences cannot believe that such a young and beautiful girl could be a genuine war sniper, but instead feel like she is a propaganda tool for the Soviets. Mila finds support in the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who extends the hand of friendship, and is beautifully represented by Quinn in this novel. The delegation and Mila soon find support and The United States enters the war in Europe against the Nazis. A powerful and engaging story about a relatively unknown war heroine. #thediamondeye #katequinn #netgalley #historicalfiction

Wow, what a book. Firstly it was well written, it flowed and ebbed with ease and grace. Secondly, what a story. I had not heard of the Soviet. sniper and the whole way through the book I kept wondering how much of it was true and how much made up. I found out in the author’s note at the end - I will not spoil anyones reading of the book by saying more. The story is of Mila a student trying to finish her dissertation when the war breaks out. Mila is an expert marksman, a skilled she learned for ‘fun’ but now her skill makes her an expert sniper. She becomes a killing machine and is given the nickname of Lady Death. Eventually she is sent to the United States on a propaganda tour to induce America to join the war. The author has written a thriller of great proportions and I was gripped the whole way through. I would give it 6 stars if I could.

Mila is possibly the only female sniper to have knowingly led Soviet troops during WWII against the Romanians and Germans, or so the propaganda goes...
The book gives the insight into her personal growth. Determination both as a fighter, but also as a mother during immeasurably challenging times. It aims to give a broader insight into life in Russia, not just the cold and impoverished one. The proximity of the war in Ukraine, brings some parallels and geographical familiarisations.
The book flips between servicing on the front line and as a Russian diplomatic visit to the Whitehouse during the Roosevelt presidency. There are intriguing diary entries from the First Lady reflecting the visit. Presidential health & security a pressing issue.
Mila is a very likeable character; no nonsense, as would be needed to infiltrate leadership roles and hold her nerve whilst shooting. I particularly liked her dripping sarcasm. There is a nice reflection of both the scientific and practical skill to being an impressive marksman. Also, some insightful reflections of how to establish being a female amongst male soldiers of varying seniority.
Quinn, creates a vivid backdrop to the time and landscape, generating a truly immersive and captivating read that flows quite effortlessly. It was wonderful to learn that this is based on a true character and that much of what happened in the story was a true account, using diaries and the like. Very much a captivating read about war, trauma, betrayal, loss, politics and the personal growth throughout it all. Very compelling, with good tension and indelible characters.

Good. Full of historical facts and well written. Even though at times I got bogged down in the war scenes it was still a good read. Enjoyed how fast paced it was which enabled me to get past some of the areas I found boring.

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Kate Quinn is an expert in historical fiction. She goes into such excellent detail leaving no stone unturned. This novel returned to the Soviet Union and to lake Baikal at times, the location so frequently referred to in The Huntress. I loved noticing the links between that novel and The Diamond Eye right up until the very last chapter. Here in The Diamond Eye we follow Mila, her quest to become a sniper in the Red Army, while raising her young son, in a male dominated society. We follow her successes and losses through the war and her international duties thereafter. I raced through the second half of this book, I thought it was excellent and hungrily devoured page after page to learn how each event would unfold, but the first half took much longer. I felt it was overly descriptive and could in essence have been shortened, considerably without taking away from the story. As a whole, the story itself was a very good one, but a more condensed first half would have worked just as well I felt. The epilogue was wonderfully written as always, so informative. Quinn’s attention to detail cannot be faulted. I thoroughly enjoy all I read from this accomplished writer.

Quinn writes beautifully, and this is no exception. The characters are lively, the plot interesting, and the story jumps off the page. A great historical fiction.

I’m not a fan of this genre at all, I usually actively avoid anything war related, but I did end up reading The Rose Code by this author a while back and I loved it.

This book is no exception, Kate is an absolutely amazing writer, and once again we hear the story of another amazing woman, breaking barriers down, and generally being utterly amazing.

I strongly recommend this one (and The Rose Code).

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review