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ka_ke's review against another edition
- 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
mverickson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, and Gun violence
genieoneil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: War
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Blood, Genocide, and Racial slurs
sarahalena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Gore, War, Genocide, and Death
sirissacgluten's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The Diamond Eye is almost a pseudo-autobiography, an engrossing re-imagining the official (state-sponsored) memoir of Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko. When German troops reach the borders of the USSR, Mila abandons her quiet life as a library research assistant and history student to enlist in the Red Army. The book moves between her time acclimating to the horrors of war as she hones her deadly sharpshooting skills and her subsequent goodwill tour across America.
4/5: I really enjoyed this one; it wasn’t my favorite of Quinn’s (The Rose Code and Mistress of Rome hold that honor), but it was impeccably researched and full of interesting characters. Fans of The Huntress in particular should love The Diamond Eye’s deeper dive into Soviet resistance during the war.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: War, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Medical content, Death, Violence, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Murder, Gore, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
Minor: Genocide, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Antisemitism