This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, I felt like I learnt a lot about the main character in that way it serves a fictional retelling of someone's life story. As a narrative it didn't grab me in a way that was anything other than learning about this historically interesting person

The Diamond Eye is a captivating tale based on the true story of Lyudmila 'Mila' Pavilichenko, the deadliest female sniper in history. The book features two effortlessly interwoven storylines. There's Mila's experience leading up to World War II to set the scene and then we are in the Soviet trenches alongside her.

The secondary storyline focuses on Mila's tour of the US in 1942, where she became unlikely friends with Eleanor Roosevelt. With a mysterious element weaving its way into this storyline, this book is undeniably intriguing. Mila is an extraordinary woman, patriot and soldier. She was strong-willed, relentless and resilient both on and off the battlefield.

This is shockingly my first Kate Quinn novel and I loved her writing style. She juxtaposed serious and heartbreaking experiences with light-hearted moments and characters that offered respectful comedic relief. I also liked how periodically she wrote the story as if Mila was directly speaking to readers. It was unique but definitely helped mould the story and allowed us to form a connection with Mila.

Finally, as an avid romance reader, I didn't mind the romance subplot at all! Overall, this is a fantastic historical fiction novel and a woman I won't forget anytime soon. I also highly recommend listening to the audiobook. It was easy to follow with excellent narration.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I love Kate Quinn books and this is absolutely no exception. What a story and, reading the authors notes, so much of it is true! I enjoyed the love affair side of this as well... it made Mila so much gentler and more relatable. Definitely recommend!

My first observation of this book is that is is a very long read, sometimes to the point of distraction. I found I enjoyed it but it seemed to take me so long to read it as it was just so full on. There is so much detail about weaponry and so many names that I spent time trying to pronounce that it took a bit of the joy of reading away for me.

The story is so intriguing and fascinating and such a great story to tell. The characters Real and/or otherwise are great, unique characters that all played a part in the story. It really portrayed the roles both women and men were supposed to play in war and even in life in those times.

This is a well written book and well researched but just that little bit too long and to detailed, making it a bit boring at times. I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko is separated from her husband Alexei, she wants a divorce, he's stalling and they have a son Slavka. She lives in Kiev, when the Germans invade in 1941, the woman with an interest in historical events and she will become part of World War Two history.

Mila joins the 25th rifle division, she’s taken a marksmanship course and becomes a sniper. Mila shoots from underground man made nests and hidden in bushes and from the tops of buildings. A comrade made a joke, to be a good sniper, you need a weapon, a knife, two ammunition pouches, patience and a non-reflective flask containing a little vodka. Mila didn’t find killing people easy, she wanted her son to have a future and due to her accuracy she became known as Lady Death. Mila is a strong woman, she’s given birth, been wounded and seen many of her comrade’s die in combat.

Mila’s made over three hundred kills, after being injured at Sevastopol, she’s sent on a tour of America and the Russians desperately want America to form a second front and divide the German forces. At first the Americans didn’t know what to make of Mila in her army uniform and makeup free face and she won them over with her humility. In Washington Mila meets Eleanor Roosevelt, they become friends and Mila's being stalked.

The battle descriptions in the narrative are brutal, you read about the types of weapons used, the injuries they caused and the bolt action rifle Mila preferred as a sniper. Mila was human, she fell in love, had her heart broken, she kept going because she didn’t want the Germans to win and for her son.

I received a copy of The Diamond Eye from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia in exchange for an honest review. Kate Quinn has done it again, by using known facts and her imagination to create a historical biographical story about one inspirational woman’s fight to staunch the flow of war with her rifle in Russia and then with her voice in America and five stars from me.

Mila Pavlichenko was seduced at 15, had a son, completed a course in marksmanship and became known as 'Lady Death' because she became a sniper and killled so many Germans in WW2. It wasn't until she went to the White House, however, that she faced her greatest danger...

This amazing and exciting story is based on the true story of this famous Russian sniper. Kate Quinn has brought it to her life with her beautifully written tale of Mila's brave fight against the Nazis and her two great loves. There is, necessarily, a lot about the war and the fighting in the story, which can be quite harrowing, and I preferred the account of Mila at The White House and her adventures in Hollywood.

I certainly want to read the real memoir now and other books by Kate Quinn!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780008523022
PRICE £13.99 (GBP