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The Diamond Eye

Review

The Diamond Eye

Determined to be both a mother and a father to her young son Slavka, single parent Lyudmila "Mila" Pavlichenko enrolled in marksmanship school so she could teach him how to shoot. As soon as Germany invaded the Soviet Union --- and her home country of Ukraine --- during World War II, she enlisted and became a skilled sniper. Sporting “an eye like a diamond,” she racked up the kills and was soon dubbed "Lady Death."

“In peacetime you will shoot targets in competitions… But one day there will be war, and you will trade wooden targets for enemy hearts.” 

“And what kind of mother would I be then --- a mother who wouldn’t fight for her child, for the world she wanted her child to grow up in?”

"Kate Quinn is an excellent storyteller, and she perfectly captures Mila's spirit and personality both on and off the battlefield."

THE DIAMOND EYE is based on a true story, and I was enthralled from beginning to end. Strong female characters are so inspirational, and I loved Mila's determination to be the best at, well, everything. Best daughter. Best mother. Best student. Best sniper. During a diplomatic tour of the United States, her fast friendship and camaraderie with Eleanor Roosevelt, despite their cultural differences, added depth to the novel; it was touching and heartfelt. Mila even learns a valuable lesson from her:

“Constant perfection is something at which we will always fail, all of us... [Y]ou’ll do yourself a grave disservice if you live your every moment --- not just your wartime moments, but your gentler ones --- by a standard as harsh as never miss."

Even though this story is set during WWII and is occasionally heavy, a delicious and flirty sense of humor breaks the tension numerous times, much to my delight. Throughout the book, I was wondering about the identity of the mysterious marksman mentioned in the first chapter and if his plan to destroy Mila’s stellar reputation would succeed.

Kate Quinn is an excellent storyteller, and she perfectly captures Mila's spirit and personality both on and off the battlefield. I would highly recommend reading the Author's Note at the end as it provides even more information about Mila. Don't miss this timely story about the immense power, strength and resilience of a Ukrainian woman!

"We Americans are used to viewing war from a distance --- the privilege of living, as Chancellor Otto von Bismarck once said, with less powerful neighbors to the north and south, and nothing to the east and west but fish."

Reviewed by Rebecca Wasniak on April 1, 2022

The Diamond Eye
by Kate Quinn

  • Publication Date: March 14, 2023
  • Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction
  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
  • ISBN-10: 0063144700
  • ISBN-13: 9780063144705