A review by nocto
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

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

4.5

This was ace, I really enjoyed learning about Lyudmila Pavlichenko who was a Soviet sniper in World War II. It's a fictionalised account of a real life and you have to wait for the author's notes at the end to work out exactly which of the bits are fictional, though it's obvious from the beginning that parts of the framing story of Mila's visit to the US in 1942 are going to be fictional. I didn't feel that that detracted from the historical account at all, and whilst it probably wasn't necessary for the author to have upped the stakes in the way she did, I found it just drew you into the wider story and I haven't got any complaints about those additions. Recommended for a quick and absorbing read.