Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Diamond Eye

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

25 reviews

sarahflanders's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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? No

4.5

Content Warnings

sandysmith's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny informative inspiring sad 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

4.25

It is an intriguing story based on a female sniper Mila Pavlichenko on the front line in WW2 fighting against the germans for the Soviets. She is Ukrainian, so it is interesting to read about her commitment and her Russian beliefs. Hard to read in the current political climate. Whilst she is written as a cold killer, her love for her son and her historian background shines through. Her first husband is horrid, seducing her and getting her pregnant at 15. Her love interests in war make good reading. I loved her official and unofficial memoirs. Told from a dual timeline war and later in her trip to America and friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, it makes a smashing historical read. Fab stuff.

Content Warnings

ka_ke's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative medium-paced

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

My thoughts and feelings regarding the Diamond Eye are difficult to explain.

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.

Content Warnings

kuurankero's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative medium-paced

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

4.0

This was very interesting book about the worlds deadliest female sniper in history. Lady death, Ljudmyla Pavlytšenko was unknown to me before reading this. So it was very cool to read about her, and I would love to read Ljudmyla's memoir book now.

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

Content Warnings

gloriazthompson's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

Based on a real woman Soviet sniper during the war. This was a fun one! The author’s note at the end added points to it for me.

Content Warnings

katekatiekait's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

maralaene's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings