The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn: a five-star masterpiece!

I just finished reading The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn, and I was enthralled! Wow! A captivating and fascinating read. Recommended to me by my sister-in-law, who has never steered me wrong, Mila Pavlichenko’s story is mesmerizing. I have read few books from the Russian perspective, so perhaps that was part of what caught my interest. Strongly recommend!

I’d like to offer an overview of the book, a look at the role of snipers in World War II, some thoughts on what resonated with me from Mila’s story, and a snippet of information about author Kate Quinn.

Overview of The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn:

In 1937 Kyiv, surrounded by snow and the routines of daily life, Mila Pavlichenko is a sharp-witted history student balancing her library job and caring for her young son. But everything changes when Hitler invades Ukraine and Russia. Thrust into the chaos of war, Mila trades her books for a rifle and transforms into a formidable sniper. She earns the nickname “Lady Death” as she becomes a feared force on the battlefield.

After her 300th confirmed kill, Mila is hailed as a national hero and sent on a diplomatic tour of the United States, far from the brutal frontlines. In Washington, DC, she grapples with grief and trauma, feeling adrift in a foreign and glamorous world. She forges an unlikely bond with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and a quiet, kindred spirit who shares her past.

But just as Mila begins to hope for something more than survival, a familiar adversary reappears, this time partnered with a new and deadly threat. Caught in a dangerous game, Mila must face a final showdown that will test everything she has become.

Inspired by true events, The Diamond Eye is a powerful and poignant story of courage in the face of despair, the transformation of a mother into a soldier, and one woman’s extraordinary role in shaping history.

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Historical background

I have read a lot of historical fiction set during World War II, but I hadn’t seen anything focusing on snipers before. It was so interesting! I thought it might be worthwhile to research how snipers impacted the war. The following information is drawn from two websites: warhistoryonline.com and worldwarwings.com.

The role of snipers in warfare

Snipers have played a crucial role in military history for centuries. While the term “sniper” was officially coined during the American Civil War, the practice of precision shooting from concealed positions dates back even further. With each new conflict, sniper tactics and technology advanced, making these soldiers increasingly vital on the battlefield. By the onset of World War II, snipers were firmly established as key members of many military units, especially among the Allied forces.

Snipers in World War II

At the start of World War II, most nations quickly recognized the strategic value of snipers. Many armies, including the Allies, formed specialized sniper units to help slow enemy advances. However, rather than designing new weapons, most militaries simply adapted existing service rifles with optical scopes. Many of these rifles had been used in World War I, but upgrades made them more effective in the new era of warfare.

The Soviet sniper program and female marksmen

Among all the nations involved in WWII, the Soviet Union produced many of the most accomplished snipers. Unlike some countries that had begun to phase out sniper units after WWI, the USSR invested heavily in their development and training. Uniquely, the Soviet military also welcomed women into sniper roles. A dedicated training school near Moscow admitted young women between 18 and 26 who met physical and educational requirements. Roughly 2,000 women enlisted as snipers after the German invasion; only about 500 of them survived the war.

The most legendary of them was Lyudmila Pavlichenko, nicknamed “Lady Death.” With 309 confirmed kills, she remains the most successful female sniper in history. Severely wounded by shrapnel, Pavlichenko was eventually pulled from active combat and sent on a diplomatic tour of Allied countries. Upon her return to the Soviet Union, she dedicated the rest of the war to training new snipers. It’s her story that’s told in The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn.

The psychological impact of snipers

Beyond their ability to eliminate targets, snipers had a powerful psychological effect on the battlefield. The constant threat of an unseen marksman created fear and tension among enemy troops, lowering morale and disrupting their movements (even when no shot was fired). As the saying goes, “a single bullet can be more effective than an entire army.”

Snipers needed exceptional patience, skill, and awareness of conditions such as wind and timing to make each shot count. Their discipline made them one of the most demanding roles in the military.

Weapons of choice

Three primary rifles defined the era of WWII sniping:

• American M1903 Springfield
• German 98 Mauser
• Russian Mosin-Nagant

While these rifles originated in earlier conflicts, including World War I, their reliability and accuracy made them the backbone of sniper arsenals during the Second World War.

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What struck me in The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Something that stood out to me was the notion that life as we know it can change in an instant. Suddenly, everything is different. Many of our concerns are wiped away and replaced with what is most important. Reading a book like this one can help us put things in perspective: What really matters? Why do we get caught up in trivialities? Can we let some things go?

Another idea that jumped out at me was the idea that mayhem and misery can be happening somewhere, but elsewhere life just continues as normal. Our world can be shattering around us, and yet most of the world doesn’t even know. A sobering thought.

Quinn does an amazing job of supplying a personal narrative to go along with the history. I grew to care deeply about Mila. That’s why I found the book to be so gripping. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end of the book and look through the provided photos.

A little about author Kate Quinn

Kate Quinn is a bestselling author of historical fiction, with her work appearing on both the New York Times and USA Today lists. Originally from Southern California, she studied Classical Voice at Boston University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some of her titles include The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. In addition to her solo work, she has co-authored several novels, including The Phoenix Crown with Janie Chang and Ribbons of Scarlet with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. Her books have been translated into many languages. Kate currently lives in Maryland with her husband and their three rescue dogs.

I know I’ll be looking for more of her books!

If you enjoy historical fiction, definitely check out The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn!

Please comment below with any historical fiction recommendations you have. And let me know if you have read anything by Kate Quinn. 🙂

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Fondly,

Crysti