The Diamond Eye is another excellent historical fiction novel by Kate Quinn. My favorite historical fiction novels draw me in to an engaging story with character development and teach me something new. The author succeeds in both. It is accessible for the new historical fiction reader and also offers a unique subject (female WWII sniper) for the seasoned reader. I will definitely recommend this title to my library patrons.

I am a library paraprofessional and received an advance copy from #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko is a 4-year history student and library researcher in Odessa, when she hears over a public loudspeaker that German troops have invaded. She has left her son with her parents, while trying to divorce her no load husband and has been learning to become quite a good shot while working and studying. She enlists and make friends on the train with Lena Paliy, who helps her when she gets wounded several times and suffers concussions. Mila is very good as a sharpshooter and meets Kostia, who becomes her partner in the field, and she builds a good cohesive group of soldiers around her. She also has an intense romance during fighting and hardship. She eventually gets the nickname of "Lady Death" and despite sexism in some of the male officers becomes a well-known figure in the Soviet Union. In 1942, she is part of a group sent to Washington, D.C. to meet the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband, the President and to try to convince America to help the Soviet Union more. The author used Pavlichenko's memoirs for the base of her action-packed story and filled the novel with fictional and non-fictional people who I found myself rooting for, especially and old ranger, Vartanov. Like the best biographical fiction, readers will want to learn more about Lyudmila. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having been fascinated with Russia since I was 18, this book was right up my alley - a WWII book with a Russian sniper who is female and a librarian like me! I loved Mila and Kostia and the characters in their orbit throughout the book. The notes from the first lady interrupted the flow of the story at times, but I liked the juxtaposition of an official biography versus what Mila was sharing. I will absolutely recommend this book.

Another great WWII novel! It's always neat to read about a person you never knew exsisted in history this whole time. I like the way the book was divded up between Eleanor and her thoughts and then the actual story. It has a great flow to it, much like all of Kate's books. I did think it got a little too long about half-way through. Almost like there was too much detail. Great historical fiction reading for the winter months. Thank you for the advance copy.

#netgalleyarc I really love this author and her historical fiction novels. This story was a bit long and a bit slow paced in some spots, but overall I really enjoyed reading it. I really liked that some chapters were written in the last, some we comments by First Lady Eleanor Rosevelt and some were “present” chapters that eventually lined up with the chapters that happened in the last. Usually I don’t enjoy with the time jump premise, but this story handled it well.

Razor-sharp and brilliant! Kate Quinn has done it again. Do not miss this surprising look into the Russian side of the Nazi Invasion.

I always enjoy reading Kate Quinn, because she is excellent at painting the time and place. It felt like I was crouching in a cold Russian forest with bullets whizzing by. Sniper Mila is one of my favorite heroines to date. She is strong, smart, and throws herself into every situation with everything she had. I love that she never lost her love of history, even amidst settings of horror. Knowing that this was based on a true story, really sealed how powerful this novel was. A must read!

I appreciate Kate Quinn's writing skills and the amount of research that went into this book--that being said, I DNF at 25%. It seemed slower paced to me than her last books which were five stars for me. I just couldn't make an emotional connection with the main character (who was a fascinating real life person). From reading other reviews online it seems like others love this book, and I am the outlier. 🤷‍♀️ Give it a try if you're into World War II fiction and strong female lead characters. It just wasn't for me at this time.

Mila's story captivated me. All of the trials she overcame, the fierce patriotism she showed, and her desire to be the best mother, student and sniper she could be. Quinn wove such an enthralling story that I simply could not get enough of.

In Kiev, 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 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 an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, and Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life.

Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

I am a huge fan of Kate Quinn writing and have read all of her previous books based on true women characters in history. When NetGalley and the publisher offered this book for requesting, I jumped at the chance. Her portrayal of strong women characters are written with compassion and always show the development of the characters as the story progresses. I had no idea that the Soviet Union has women snipers during WWII. This was a fascinating story of a young girl who went to war for her country and her son. I highly recommend it.

Outstanding! This is the first book I have read from Kate Quinn and I vow to pick up each one she’s writes going forward!

I am a big fan of historical fiction. It seems so many books focus on Germany and Hitlers troops that we forget other countries involvement and the people who lived there. Diamond Eye shares the true story of a remarkable young woman from Russia during dark dark days.

Reading Quinn’s book, I felt a small kinship with the nerdy young girl with dreams of being a historian. We all have dreams and times when life sends us curveballs. Mila Pavlchenko is given one at 15 when she gets pregnant and the man she loved shows himself not to be the husband and father she thought him to be. She sets her course for education at the university and focuses on improvement to model what good people do in bad times for her young son. Her course is abruptly changed when war comes to Russia and she becomes a sharp shooter on the front lines.

I really enjoyed Quinn’s chapter beginnings of “my memories: the official version and my memories: the unofficial version.” This was so smartly used. In today’s world of Facebook and social marketing businesses, individuals and countries are always putting political correctness forward. It’s not surprising that Russia would do the same when engaged in a world war and wanting other countries to join in to help end the suffering of its citizens. Yes, it’s propaganda, but it’s also human nature to see the same thing as someone else and have a different take or viewpoint.

At 400+ pages, this is a don’t want to stop, have to read now kind of book! It has true love, hard times and people you wish you knew. (I cried a couple times.) Don’t stop reading until you finish the authors notes where Quinn reveals so very much of the war and people are true, taken from Milas very own memoir.

I am so impressed with a young woman who faced such challenges and 4 very serious injuries continued to fight to return to the front. Her strength of character and drive for her country is inspiring.

Thank you to Kate Quinn and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy this 5 star book!

I love anything written by Kate Quinn and this one did not disappoint. Set in Russia during World War II, this is the tale of Mila becoming Lady Death with her sharpshooting skills. There is also an assasin out to frame her for killing the President. Two stories woven into one with a FANTASTIC ending. Highly recommeneded.

Kate Quinn's do not disappoint, and this was no exception. This is a book that is hard to put down as the life and courage of this woman is fascinating. Who ever heard of a Russian woman sniper who became a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt? Many thanks to the author for bringing this unknown story to light.

Kate Quinn’s latest novel is based on a true life character Mila Pavlinchenko, a female sniper for Russia during WWII. The Diamond Eye tells the story of Mila’s life from an introverted scholar and single mother to a famous war hero with over 300 kills to her name. Mila’s infamy leads her on a journey from the war torn battlefields to a goodwill tour of the United States. From a friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt to falling in love on the battlefield, Quinn brings this real life hero to life with her vivid descriptions and thoroughly researched details.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Mila’s story resonates long after the last page is read.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to review this novel before its release.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the chance to read and review this title prior to publication. The summary of this book grabbed me right away - a bookworm who became the deadliest female sniper? I wanted to know more. Quinn's research and description of Mila's war experiences, alternating with her time in the US advocating for American assistance in WWII and becoming close friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, was very well done. It was strange to read about Russia fighting alongside the Allies when we now have such a difficult relationship with them. I believe fans of Quinn's books will love this one. I read most of the book in one day, and while I found a few parts repetitive, it made for a captivating story. This ultimately was a 3-star read for me, though I will not easily forget Mila's story.

This historical fiction book about Mila Pavlichenko by Kate Quinn is well researched and beautifully written. Mila was brave and strong and human. Her story stayed with me long after I finished the last page. Quinn's book and research notes may also compel you to learn more about Mile Pavlichenko as well. I will be gifting this book to historical fiction lovers.

Mila Pavlichenko a History student working on her dissertation. She goes out for a weekend at the beech with friends she at a opera/ballet to see some friends perform when she finds out Hitler just invaded Russia. She next finds herself signing up to go to the front with the infantry, where her goal is to become a sniper. After overcoming the sex discrimination against women being effective snipers she becomes one of the best in Russia. But as you will find out there is much more than just that to Mila, so much more.

I love Kate Quinn's books and this one is no different. I fell in love with Mila almost from the start, being a female veteran myself working in a more male dominated job I felt a sisterhood with her and cheered her on throughout this book. Mila's character is one you won't ever forget, her tenacity will inspire, and her gumption will impress you.

I will post this review on my blog on March 29th.

4.5*
Lovers of Quinn’s stories of WWII escapades will be thrilled at this latest book. It’s based upon a real woman who became a celebrated sniper for the Russian army. Mila was a single parent who always wanted to fill the role of both parents for her son. When the Germans invaded Russia, Mila was determined to do as a father would, and she enlisted. Her skill with a rifle made her the perfect sniper.

Mila came to international attention when she came to America as part of a student delegation. She met President Franklin Roosevelt and actually became friends with his wife, Eleanor. Her visit to the US was filled with innocuous questions from the press. They asked about wearing lipstick and the cut of her uniform. Mila was a serious soldier who was methodical in her job. She was incredulous that so many people failed to understand the reality of war. Fortunately, Quinn gives a gritty, cold, bloody portrayal of Mila’s time at the front, leaving no doubt about what she and other soldiers experienced.

The real Mila was remarkable and the fictionalized story of her life is captivating. Mila suffers the same as the men, with the additional problem of being one of the few women in combat. She’s seriously injured more than once and yet returns to duty. Quinn manages to keep Mila from coming across as a coldblooded killer. There’s a humanity that shines through the grizzly story of her job. Mila was strong and smart and her gender is at the center of her story. She was unique for the time and certainly showed her mettle while American women in the military were relegated to nursing and secretarial jobs.

Another winner by Quinn! Like many of her other novels, this portrays a complicated woman in her element. Unlike other novels, this is based on the actual Russian sniper known as “Lady Death.” This historical fiction is gripping, fast paced, and memorable. Quinn notes that much of the material is taken from Pavlichenko‘a own autobiography. Fans of Quinn will find another satisfying read, newcomers to Quinn might not find this one as accessible as some of her other novels. All and all worthwhile, and worth adding to any library collection!

Kate Quinn follows up with her bestselling women in WW II tales (The Huntress, The Rose Code) with a mesmerizing novel based on the actual life of Mila Pavlichenko, a female Russian soldier who left her university and joined the army to become a master sniper. As she accumulates 309 confirmed kills, German soldiers fear Mila who is dubbed Lady Death. As Mila rises in rank to lead a platoon of men, Quinn shows readers the horrific conditions of the Russian Front where armies were determined to butcher each other. Wounded four times, Mila suffers from PTSD and depression and each day fears for her life and lives of the men she leads. Quinn follows the historical trail by shifting from a war story to thriller when Mila embarks on a propaganda tour of the United States. After meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, the two women develop a friendship (which actually happened) but a shadowy assassination plot lurks in the background. Events come fast and furious as readers will cheer for Mila, a common person thrust into extraordinary times who carries heavy burdens but also has tons of courage.