Name: Cheri McElroy's review of The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Item: The Diamond Eye
Rating: 5
Author: Cheri McElroy

Kate Quinn

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet librarian who becomes history's deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story. 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. 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.

The Diamond Eye

Holly 

“Women are bloodthirsty creatures. The English and Americans are utter fools if they think females are too delicate to send to the front.”

…I scrambled to retrieve the juniper fronds, the maple twigs. Those bright leaves like fire cupped in my still-shaking hands, jammed into a 45mm shell case-if that wasn't wartime life in a nutshell, I didn't know what was. A stray frond of beauty here and there, jammed into something mass-produced and violent, usually toppled and trampled underfoot before too long. Dead and withered tomorrow, but still glowing with life today. 

“The only thing I was shocked by was the sign on the carriage saying FOR WHITES ONLY.” The girl sniper forked a mushroom off her plate. "It's a strange thing to see in a country that started with ‘All men are created equal.’”

My memoir, the official version: Snipers must be calm in order to succeed. 

My memoir, the unoficial version: 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.

"Hunt to fill your soup kettle and puta pelt on your bed, not just to put a trophy on your wall," Vartanov grunted unexpectedly. "The forest is like a temple: observe the old customs, be respectful, don't kill for amusement, and the woods will reward you for it." 

From Lenin on down, Soviet men have always talked a good game about women standing shoulder to shoulder with their men in every field society had to offer, but when it came to children being tended, dishes being scrubbed, or applause being given, I had always observed that it was still female hands doing most of the tending, scrubbing, and clapping. Not that I questioned such a thing overly much: it was simply the way of the world, and always had been.

My heart broke. This chapter just devastated me. I could feel it coming, but it’s always still worse when it happens. 

Tace

…but all I could think was that if I hadn’t dragged my damned heels on my divorce for so long, I'd be calling myself 

 instead. "I should have married you," I whispered, sinking into the cot. 

Too late now. Too late to marry him, too late to avenge him.

“You really are terrifying. Are you sure I can't kiss you?"

You forget reading this book how young she is. How young, yet so very mature. And Lyonya is the perfect balance for her life.

For everyone else—my family, in my letters; my men, in my platoon; even Kostia, in our partnership—I had to be invincible. But before Kitsenko, I could be afraid. Be tired. Be 

"He needs to be invincible for you, just as you are for him.”

"My mother always said when a woman is upset, give her chocolate and tell her she's beautiful. In your case, I think I can amend that to give you chocolate and tell you you're dangerous. You are beautiful," he added, "but something tels me you'll be more comforted by the thought that you're still dangerous.”

I could die here and at least I would be happy.

 And I opened my eyes, drinking the rest of my soup and wondering when it was that I'd started to think of death as something not just possible, but inevitable. 

A very vivid nickname. And a perfect fit.

“To Lady Death and her pack of devils," Kitsenko answered, raising his own mug. "Tve never seen anything in my life as terrifying as you lot melting out of the trees this morning with your rifles.”

I could do this not because of some inborn instinct, but because I had studied and drilled and practiced until training became instinct. I was a good sniper because I was a good student. 

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Mila Pavlichenko is a mother and history student in the 1940s who is also a crack shot. When Germany invades Russia, she enlists in the army and becomes a sharpshooter. Over several years, she makes a lot of kills and eventually comes face-to-face with the would-be assassin of the American President, FDR.

This novel is based on the true story of Lady Death, the celebrated Russian sniper. It's told fascinatingly and blends history and fiction in a way that kept me invested until the end—another great story from Kate Quinn.

Cheri McElroy

Mila Pavlichenko is a mother and history student in the 1940s who is also a crack shot. When Germany invades Russia, she enlists in the army and becomes a sharpshooter. Over several years, she makes a lot of kills and eventually comes face-to-face with the would-be assassin of the American President, FDR.

This novel is based on the true story of Lady Death, the celebrated Russian sniper. It's told fascinatingly and blends history and fiction in a way that kept me invested until the end—another great story from Kate Quinn.

Francesca Starecheski

Quinn answers, or rather, draws the question of foreignness. If we are all strangers, in our strangeness are we not all the same?

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet librarian who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story. 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. 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.

A Novel

aaah this book was so good! let me tell this book had me hooked from the first sentence. the writing was fantastic and it was so interesting to see how the main character grows and changes. it was also really interesting to know that she was a real person in history! just a fantastic read emotional read.

Hannah Williams

I bought this book before reading anything about it simply on the premise that it was a brilliant bookish girl who defied all stereotypes and became one of the most notorious snipers in WWII. And it did not disappoint. Each of Mila’s roles as a student, as a soldier, as a mother, as a lover and a friend were beautifully written. I loved her from the very start. There were so many points where I laughed out loud and felt like screaming at this book, but no matter what it was nearly impossible to put down. 

I have a soft spot for WWII historical fiction, especially for the books that tell the story of lesser known yet iconic characters in the war effort. Quinn has captured the essence of this woman and created a beautiful story to fit. Kitsenko, Kostia, Lena, and so many more were such a fantastic cast of characters and only served to make it that much more. This is definitely a top read of the year and I can’t wait for more. 

Even if historical fiction isn’t usually your thing, please pick this up! I promise you won’t regret it. 

This ❤️

I bought this book before reading anything about it simply on the premise that it was a brilliant bookish girl who defied all stereotypes and became one of the most notorious snipers in WWII. And it did not disappoint. Each of Mila’s roles as a student, as a soldier, as a mother, as a lover and a friend were beautifully written. I loved her from the very start. There were so many points where I laughed out loud and felt like screaming at this book, but no matter what it was nearly impossible to put down. 

I have a soft spot for WWII historical fiction, especially for the books that tell the story of lesser known yet iconic characters in the war effort. Quinn has captured the essence of this woman and created a beautiful story to fit. Kitsenko, Kostia, Lena, and so many more were such a fantastic cast of characters and only served to make it that much more. This is definitely a top read of the year and I can’t wait for more. 

Even if historical fiction isn’t usually your thing, please pick this up! I promise you won’t regret it. 

Livia

I don't know how Kate Quinn manages to pull off writing historical fiction every single time, but she did. Dare I say, this one might also be a new fav, although my love for The Huntress will never be replaced. I love Mila so much. I love how Kate Quinn brings to life her story for everyone to know because despite this being a work of fiction, it also felt like I was reading a memoir. Her story was one of resilience, motherhood, war, and surviving and defying all odds while recovering from old and new wounds. I can feel every heartbreak and pain written in here, and every joy and hope. 

And also Mila is such a girl boss in her own way, I can't help but admire and love her.

Ellie R

The number of times I was shocked throughout this novel cannot be understated, it is a must read and Lyudmila has my heart - as a solider and woman

Brigid prior 

I can’t believe I almost put this into my half-read graveyard. It really picks up around 20% in. Stories of women during wartime is quickly becoming a new favorite genre of mine, especially when they are based off true stories like this one is. I am not a “re-reader” but I immediately want to start this one over and read it again. That and its given me a true book hangover and I’m not sure I can start a new book. Mila was such a stunning protagonist— unusual, captivating, and, most of all, impressive. I’ll be thinking about her and her supporting characters for years to come. 

The writing was perfect in that it didn’t get in the way or detract from the story at all— which is an impressive feat akin to when an actor makes you believe who they are portraying as opposed to making you wonder where the camera is.

Potsticker

I've been admiring Lyudmila for years, and certainly reading this book was beautiful! It was interesting, exciting and certainly brilliant.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

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Highlights

Join the club

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn