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ka_ke's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
On the one hand, I chose one hell of a time to pick it up seeing as Russia has cruelly invaded Ukraine and they have been at war for 1.5 years at this point. Therefore, I find myself unable to sympathize with Lady Death and the Russian people as they struggled through Nazi invasion.
On the other hand, the Diamond Eye is an excellent lesson in the theory of intersectionality and my understanding/belief in it.
Lyudmila is a Russian woman, a student majoring in history, a single mother whose husband abandoned their family. She is then forced to become an infamous sniper for the Russian army.
So while I can support a woman doing what she feels is right and proper to protect herself and her country, I am torn by my disgust at the present day uncalled-for actions of Russia against the citizens of Ukraine.
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Body horror, Classism, Blood, Death, Grief, Violence, War, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Murder, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
izura's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Pedophilia and Rape
kuurankero's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
My only complain is, that the book focused a lot on her lovers. Especially since one of them was apparently fictional. It would have been great to see less of them and more of Lena (I think thats her name, I listened the audiobook) or Eleanor. I never would have expected a USSR sniper and the first lady of the USA be best friends but thats cool about history. You never know the full story.
This book told me a lot of new information on ww2 and gave me new perpectives. I never knew woman of ussr could fight in the forefront. I definetly want to learn more about the female soldiers of ww2 now. Not that I never wanted before. It's always fun to discover new stories of history.
So I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction! Or if you are interested anyway. Such a great book! I also really liked the finnish audiobook version so be not afraid to listen it :D
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, War, Stalking, Murder, Gun violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
nvargas's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, and War
smagzisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Antisemitism
Minor: Rape
mayukiiq's review against another edition
4.5
this was STELLAR, and i can’t wait to read more by Kate Quinn.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gun violence, and War
elesapphicbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i just enjoy kate quinn’s books so much and this one was just amazing! i gotta admit that i was a bit nervous going into this book seeing as the protagonist was a real person which differs from her other WWII novels.
however, she was still able to write a fascinating story with complex characters. also this is just me, but i absolutely love how she sprinkles characters from her other novels. nina markova and yelena vetsina you’ll always be loved.
Graphic: Death, Blood, and War
Minor: Rape
vchetty's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: War, Death, and Gun violence
jordansmith's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Gore
kirstenb2023's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Misogyny, War, and Death