The Diamond Eye
Ratings40
Average rating4.1
In the city of Kiev, Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job - 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. Still reeling from war wounds, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in Washington, DC. 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. Print run 200,000.
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Ticks off a bunch of historical fiction boxes for me:
- Previously unknown but extraordinary story
- Very faithful to fact as much as possible, while taking license in logical ways that make sense given gaps in historical record
- Interesting, well-drawn supporting cast
- Hard-hitting and powerful where it needs to be
WW2 books aren't everyone's idea of a good time, but I'd recommend this to anyone with a passing interest in a facet of the war that's traditionally less appreciated and understood by UK / US (myself included).
It's also not all guns, shooting and lads lads lads!
Large parts are excellent, small parts are a bit slower. But extra points for stepping swiftly over flash-forwards to get back to the action.
Fascinating and very well written. Quinn's author's note is always so thorough and I really appreciate how forthcoming she is about which bits she has made up completely.
Another great Kate Quinn story. I thought it was cool that Kostia was half brother to Nina from The Huntress! That Mila was friends with Eleanor Roosevelt was really interesting. I'm curious to read the autobiography of Lyudmila Pavlichenko now!
