The Diamond Eye: A Novel – The New York Times Bestselling WWII Historical Fiction About Lady Death, History's Deadliest Female Sniper
Don’t miss the thrilling new novel from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club!
New York Times Bestseller
The bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable work of WWII historical fiction about a quiet bookworm who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story.
In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kyiv, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son—but Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine and 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 in this gripping historical thriller. 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 piece of biographical fiction about 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.
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Readers say *The Diamond Eye* is a captivating WWII novel featuring a remarkable female sniper, praised for its engaging storytelling and strong, insp...
The book had a slow start for me, but the pacing improved as the story progressed, and I ended up genuinely enjoying it. One fun moment: when Mila mentioned that Krostia was speaking English, I actually had to re-read the passage—it hadn't occurred to me that the characters weren't speaking English in the story itself, since I was reading it in English! It was a little "aha" moment realizing they were actually speaking Russian.
I enjoied the author's note at the end. It was fascinating to learn about the author's research process into Mila's life and her experience as a female sniper. Mila served on the front lines at a time when that was virtually unheard of in the US—and even today it's still rare. Despite proving herself repeatedly, she was consistently underestimated, marginalized, and not taken seriously by those around her. It was heartwarming to learn that she eventually found love in real life, mirroring her journey in the book. I also appreciated the author's note about the ambiguity in Mila's memoir regarding who she fell for—it's unclear whether it was one person or two, and it seems there are several reasons we may never know the full answer. Still, I loved how the author thoughtfully interpreted and crafted that love story for us.
It takes a moment to really find its stride, but once it does, it transforms into a fantastic novel. The book is a blend of history, heartbreak, and heroism, focusing on a real-life World War II heroine whose story deserves to be shared. While the pacing starts a bit slow as it sets up the historical life in Ukraine, the slow burn is well worth the patience.
Calling Mila a badass feels like an understatement. She transforms from a quiet library researcher and single mother into "Lady Death," the deadliest female sniper in recorded history. She commanded respect in a world completely dominated by men, proving her resilience over and again. She faces terrible losses, from the betrayal of an awful husband early on to the devastating deaths of friends, comrades, and loved ones on the battlefield. This book didn’t shy away from the heavy reminder of the human cost of war, and should be a stark reminder of the sacrifice and selflessness of the military women and men.
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