Friday, 6 May 2022

Review - the Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Publisher: Harper Collins UK
Release date: 31 March 2022
Back cover blurb: The brand-new historical novel based on a true story from the bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Alice Network. She’s the war’s most lethal sniper. And the one they least expect… In the snowbound city of Kiev, aspiring historian Mila Pavlichenko’s life revolves around her young son – until Hitler’s invasion of Russia changes everything. Suddenly, she and her friends must take up arms to save their country from the Fuhrer’s destruction. Handed a rifle, Mila discovers a gift – and months of blood, sweat and tears turn the young woman into a deadly sniper: the most lethal hunter of Nazis. Yet success is bittersweet. Mila is torn from the battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America while the war still rages. There, she finds an unexpected ally in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and an unexpected promise of a different future. But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a terrifying new foe, she finds herself in the deadliest duel of her life. 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.

Based on a true story, the Diamond Eye focuses on WW2's most lethal sniper, Mila Pavlichenko.

Mila's life revolves around her young son, until Hitler invades Russia and everything changes. Her friends are suddenly forced to seperate, and in to roles they thought they would never have. Mila must take up arms to save her country from the Fuhrer's destruction.

A novice at handling a rifle, Mila soon discovers that she has a rare gift, and through months of blood, sweat and tears, and the untimely death of some of her comrades, Mila becomes a deadly sniper. Soon her name is notorious and a casual topic of conversation becomes 'how many have you killed now?'

Success comes at a price, not only the loss of some of her dear friends, but also her personality, she is known only as a deadly killer, then thrust into a limelight that she doesn't need or want, sent on a campaign trail to the States. Suddenly she is being transported to America and meeting Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The luxury of her surroundings is a world away from the front line, but all she wants to do is fight. She should feel safe in a country that isn't infiltrated by the enemy, but she can't help but feel uneasy. It must just be the unwanted attention ...

The Diamond Eye is an excellent historical novel, told from a really interesting angle. I have now read all of Kate Quinn's books and I think they get better each time. I can't wait until the next!

The Diamond Eye is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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