The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Kate Quinn is one of my favorite authors of Historical Fiction, and The Rose Code is a book that I recommend time and time again.

The Diamond Eyeis the second book I have read by Quinn, but it will not be my last.

We are introduced to Mila, a quiet, history student turned sniper in the Russian army during WWII.

Mila wants her young son to be proud of her since her husband has abandoned them both.

She trains to be a sharpshooter, not planning to become a sniper, but when German forces invade, she enlists.

War is not easy for women in the Russian military, but many sign up to fight or work in the medical field.

Mila proves her worth as a sharpshooter and becomes a leader.

After killing over 300 German soldiers, she is sent on a tour of America to persuade President Roosevelt to aid Russia in the ground war.

She forms an unlikely friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt that lasts for years.

Based on a true story, Quinn tells us in the epilogue how she stumbled across the story of Mila while researching another book. 

I loved this book. It’s not just a war story; it’s about Mila’s relationships, her tumultuous marriage, and her deep bond with her sniper partner.

Quinn takes real people, does incredible research, and adds fiction to the story to make it flow.

So far I’ve loved both of her books that I have listened to.

The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, weaves in impeccable accents and I loved listening to her read the story. 

I rarely listen to audiobooks, because I am easily distracted, but her narration is incredible and pulls you into the story.

I highly recommend the audiobook version of anything read by Maarleveld.

Even as I write this, I have started another Quinn book (The Phoenix Crown) and am looking for Maarleveld narrated audiobooks. (She reads First Lie Wins if you haven’t read that one yet–highly recommend)!