Reviews with content warning for War - The Diamond Eye

Reviews tagging 'War'

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

84 reviews

jenabest's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

5.0

Well, this will be a great book club discussion!
Much like the author's note at the end, I had not heard of Lyudmila Pavlichenko (though the name Lady Death felt familiar). This was amazingly well done and a story I had not heard. Brava!

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i_write_on_occasion's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

A great story, but is unfortunately a somewhat inaccurate representation of Mila as a person.

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medmiston's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

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dark hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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laheath's review against another edition

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emotional informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of those books, like others by this author, for which you wish you could pause everything else going on in your life so you could just read! Unfortunately, I had a lot going on, couldn't read often, and it took me longer to finish than I would have liked. This was the gripping story of a female Russian sniper during WWII. She leaves a young son at home to fight the Germans, so there are personal elements to the story as well as well as tales of the battles. Later in the war, she is sent to America as part of a Russian delegation to solicit help from FDR. During this time, she begins a lasting friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. The author's note explains the extensive research including how much is based on actual events. Of course, I had never heard of this woman before, but hers is definitely a story to be preserved and told as she has a well-earned place in history.

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katekatiekait's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

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? Yes

4.0

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maralaene's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This ❤️

I bought this book before reading anything about it simply on the premise that it was a brilliant bookish girl who defied all stereotypes and became one of the most notorious snipers in WWII. And it did not disappoint. Each of Mila’s roles as a student, as a soldier, as a mother, as a lover and a friend were beautifully written. I loved her from the very start. There were so many points where I laughed out loud and felt like screaming at this book, but no matter what it was nearly impossible to put down.

I have a soft spot for WWII historical fiction, especially for the books that tell the story of lesser known yet iconic characters in the war effort. Quinn has captured the essence of this woman and created a beautiful story to fit. Kitsenko, Kostia, Lena, and so many more were such a fantastic cast of characters and only served to make it that much more. This is definitely a top read of the year and I can’t wait for more.

Even if historical fiction isn’t usually your thing, please pick this up! I promise you won’t regret it.

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