by: Kate Quinn
Goodreads description:
The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet bookworm who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story.
In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kiev (now known as Kyiv), wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son–but Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper–a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.
Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC–until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness. But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life.
Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.
Helen says: 🤓🤓🤓 1/4
I listened to this on Audible and it was pretty mesmerizing. This far exceeded my expectations, especially because I have WW2 historical fiction fatigue. If you want to be entertained on a road trip, this would be worth a listen. I think it might be a boring book to actually read. Side note- Kate Quinn (the author) certainly was critical of Eleanor Roosevelt’s bad teeth in this book. She mentions them a ton!
Holly says: 🤓🤓🤓1/2
Historical fiction based on the unbelievable life of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, aka “Lady Death”, a prolific front-line sniper in WWII. As Russia is being invaded by German troops and war atrocities are being committeed, Mila, an expert marksman, takes up her rifle to defend her country. Her life story is amazing. I cannot even begin to imagine the things she faced. Lyudmila is one tough nut. Read this one for the history and the tale of an unbelievable life. You will not agree with all of her actions and choices, but you will be amazed.
Helen and Holly Hit the Books 