the diamond eye book review nytimes

The Diamond Eye

435 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2022

About the author

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think? Rate this book Write a Review

Friends & Following

Community reviews.

Join the discussion

Can't find what you're looking for.

#ReadWithMC Reviews 'The Diamond Eye'

'I cannot stress enough—go pick up this book even if it doesn’t seem like your thing!'

• Newsletter sign-up

This month, we learned about Mila Pavlichenko, the real-life Ukrainian girl who turned into one of World War II's deadliest snipers. Kate Quinn's newest historical novel The Diamond Eye tells a story from eight decades ago—but it's so relevant we choose it as our April #ReadWithMC pick. 

Quinn is known for digging up previously overlooked stories of important women in history and creating a fictional world with them at the center. Some reviewers think The Diamond Eye is her most captivating story yet. As @k2reader says, "This is the 4th book I've read by Kate Quinn and I fall more in love with her writing every time. This was a highly anticipated read this year and it did not disappoint... Mila Pavlichenko is one of the most bad-a** characters I've ever read about and yet she's a real person and I love that Kate gave us her story."

#ReadWithMC is not only a wonderful community of book lovers—we also created it as a way to gather authentic reviews and recommendations for readers looking for their next book to dive into. Here's what everyone is saying about The Diamond Eye :

"Historical fiction is not usually something that appeals to me, but there are some authors that are so talented it really doesn’t matter if they write outside of my normal reading comfort zone. Kate Quinn is absolutely one of those authors (she actually has me questioning if historical fiction is actually my favorite genre after reading this one) and The Diamond Eye was no exception. This book follows a female Russian sniper during the beginning of their invasion during WWII. It was an absolute pleasure getting to know Lyudmila’s story through Kate Quinn's lens. This book was utter perfection and certainly my favorite read of 2022 to date. I cannot stress enough—go pick up this book even if it doesn’t seem like your thing! You’ll thank me later."

-@nikkimariereads

A post shared by Nikki Marie (@nikkimariereads) A photo posted by on

"The Diamond Eye is beautiful, suspenseful, heartbreaking and inspiring. Told in two timelines, starting with Mila Pavlichenko's story from student in the library to sharpshooter on the battlefield, as well as Mila's press tour in Washington DC. Both were incredibly engaging, and I enjoyed the snippets from Mila's official and unofficial memoirs, which were unique ways to start chapters. I loved how Kate Quinn showcases how Mila navigates love, loss and leadership. I looked forward to finding out how much was inspired by true events and what was fictionalized for the book and the author's note did not disappoint. Did I have a harder time than usual getting through this given the current events unfolding in Ukraine? Absolutely. However, that did not play into my review at all. The book is a testament to the loss and destruction the individuals of this region have and unfortunately continue to endure. The audiobook is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who brings a fiery Mila to life. She was incredibly moving, I had to wipe my tears away listening to this waiting for my daughter to finish dance class."

[email protected]

Stay In The Know

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

A post shared by Stacy D (@stacys.shelf) A photo posted by on

"I love Kate Quinn and her dedication to writing about lesser-known women in history who made huge impacts and saved lives. In The Diamond Eye Quinn introduces us to Lyudmila “Mila” Pavlichenko and her sniper skills for the Russian forces during WWII. What appealed to you the most in this story? Mila’s life as a whole is beyond words. Quinn really brought her story to life, and never lost track of her humanity throughout, and Mila played so many roles: single mother, sniper, lover, leader, educator, and role model. She literally risked and sacrificed everything in order to protect her family and country. Also, I am a huge fan of Eleanor Roosevelt, and I loved getting to read her journal entries, her influences, and her friendship with Mila. It was also fun to get to see more of a personal side to her life with the President. How was the research? Hands down amazing! I’m completely speechless and humbled by all the research and heart Quinn put into this story. Meticulous does not even begin to cover it. I was so enthralled with the action-packed moments and new settings. I even found myself on Google several times just wanting to learn more. To say that Quinn captured my interests with her spot-on details and atmospheric writing during the intense battles is an understatement, and the author’s notes at the end brought the story to life even more. There were even pictures and maps to go along with the reading!"

[email protected]

A post shared by Andrea Lowry | Bookstagram (@andrea.c.lowry.reads) A photo posted by on

"This is the 4th book I've read by Kate Quinn and I fall more in love with her writing every time. This was a highly anticipated read this year and it did not disappoint. And true story—I've already read this one twice now...it's that good!⁣

I absolutely loved this one. Mila Pavlichenko is one of the most bad-a** characters I've ever read about and yet she's a real person and I love that Kate gave us her story. I've read a lot of historical fiction, especially WWII books & don't remember her name coming up. And I especially loved the friendship she developed with Eleanor Roosevelt during a Goodwill tour to the USA. That was probably my favorite part of the whole book, the scenes between the two of them."

A post shared by Kristin | Always With a Book (@k2reader) A photo posted by on

Kate Storey is a contributing editor at Marie Claire and writer-at-large at Esquire magazine, where she covers culture and politics. Kate's writing has appeared in ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, Town & Country, and Cosmopolitan, and her first book comes out in summer 2023. 

Paltrow—who has also grabbed sushi with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the past—wrote a kind message to Kate over the weekend that didn’t go unnoticed.

By Rachel Burchfield Published 18 June 24

Royal kids though they are, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are, after all, still kids.

Her evening look can easily be recreated.

By India Roby Published 18 June 24

• Contact Future's experts
• Advertise Online
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy

Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn | Book Review

Posted March 2, 2023 by Jana in Adult Fiction , Book Review / 6 Comments

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.

Hello. I am speechless. Kate Quinn is turning me into a historical fiction lover. Both books of hers that I’ve read have been 5 stars, and this one is even better! The Diamond Eye is stunning, riveting, exciting, suspenseful, romantic, heartbreaking, inspiring, hopeful, and compulsively readable. The audio version is fabulous. I could end my review right here but I probably shouldn’t. As always, my main points are bolded.

1. The Diamond Eye is based on true events. Mila Pavlichenko was a real person, and her personal memoirs were used to write much of this book. That just makes this so much better for me, because she is amazing! The synopsis is great, so I’m not going to go into all the particulars of her life, but Mila is so brave, honorable, and caring. She’s a cold sniper who has no trouble downing an enemy, but she also loves fiercely. She loves her son more than anything. She’s given her own platoon of soldiers to train and lead, and she loves them so much. She loves her sniper partner. She’s patient, sometimes laying in a hidden nest waiting for her target for days, and she’s got a steady hand. She’s cool under pressure, loyal to her country, and extremely talented at her job. She knows her worth as a woman and doesn’t let her male peers or superiors push her around or take advantage of her. She also doesn’t let the reporters get away with asking disrespectful questions. She joined the war in her very young 20s, and I’m in awe of her. She made a famous statement at a conference in the USA during her diplomatic tour that I just love:

“Gentlemen,” she said, “I am 26 years old and I have killed 309 fascist invaders by now. Don’t you think, gentlemen, that you have been hiding behind my back for too long?”

2. The supporting characters were wonderful as well. Well, except for Mila’s slimy husband who seduced her and got her pregnant when she was barely 15, before abandoning both her and their son. She can’t get rid of him, though, and she runs into him a lot during her time on the battlefield. She has a bit of a romance with an officer, which I loved reading about. She has a nurse friend who takes care of her when she’s injured. Her platoon adores and respects her, which was so refreshing to see during this time period. I loved the strong bond she had with her sniper partner, Kostia. They had each other’s backs and trusted each other so intensely. During a time of war and loss, so many beautiful relationships were formed. (Since I listened, I have no idea how to spell most of the names in this book.) I also enjoyed her friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. It was quite sweet and tender, and lasted long after their respective countries no longer recognized each other as allies.

3. The battlefield scenes were so interesting. I loved reading about how Mila scouted out locations to make her sniper’s nest, the camouflage she spent hours meticulously constructing, the dummies she set out as decoys for the enemy, her checklist for how to take out a target, her rituals, and the toll it took on her mind and her body to do this. She’s spent hours hidden in a tree and days laying under leaves and branches in trenches.

4. Mila’s diplomatic tour was also very interesting to read about. She wanted nothing to do with the diplomatic life, the questions, the traveling, even the gifts. She wanted to be in her uniform in the trenches, not in a satin gown at another stuffy event. And honestly, I liked those parts of the book better than reading about her time in the USA. But the things she said in her speeches and the way she carried herself were impressive, and I really respect her.

5. There’ a LOT of suspense in this book, and it was gripping.

6. The reality of war means that some of the relationships Mila forms cause immense heartbreak in the end, and boy did I feel a lot of things during the course of this book. If you’re worried at all, know that I did not cry once. And I cry all the time. The Book Thief made me cry, but this book did not. There’s a lot of happy in the end.

7. The writing is stunning! So many passages took my breath away. 

8. Definitely listen to the audio if you can. Saskia Maarleveld does accents and tone so perfectly that I could not stop listening to her.

9. The author’s note at the end of the book is absolutely essential , and tells which parts of the book are taken directly from Lyudmila’s personal memoirs and where Kate Quinn used her artistic license. Do not skip this part!

All in all, The Diamond Eye is a new favorite novel of mine! I’m not a fan of historical fiction, but I love Kate Quinn’s books. The word I keep thinking of when I think of this book is “stunning”. Everything about The Diamond Eye left me breathless and wanting more. From the cold battlefields of Sevastopol, to the glittering city of New York, I could not pull myself away from Mila’s story.  I’ve just added Lady Death: The Memoirs of Stalin’s Sniper by Lyudmila Pavlichenko to my to-read list. I want to learn more about her! And I can’t wait to read more from Kate Quinn!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

6 responses to “ The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn | Book Review ”

oohh!! This looks good! I’ve got to read this!

I hope you love it! I could not get enough of it!

Yay! Another Kate Quinn fan. I do think she does such a fantastic job of historical fiction. I liked the Rose Code better than this one and this one better than the Huntress, but all 3 are very well done.

I agree with you that this one is better than The Huntress, so the fact that you loved The Rose Code even more has me extremely excited to read it! I can’t imagine how she could top The Diamond Eye!

I really liked the Rose Code and have this title on my TBR. I am glad the book is gripping. I can use a gripping book in my future. Thanks for the good review.

The Rose Code is up next for me! I hope you love The Diamond Eye. :) Thank you for your kind words about my review!

Header Image

Review: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

• Alphabet (Author)--Q
• Literary Escapes --Ukraine
• Big Book Summer Challenge

No comments

Post a Comment

GoodeyReads

reviewing fantasy, romance & more

Book Review: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Rating:  ★★★★★ Audience:  Historical Fiction Length:  435 pages Author:  Kate Quinn Publisher:  William Morrow Release Date:  March 29th, 2022 Image & Other Reviews on:  Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

Uh, why have I been apparently sleeping on Kate Quinn books? WHY????????

This was incredible (also, audio is 1,000x the way to go here). I am hit/miss with historical fictions, I usually find the most enjoyment [reading wise] when they’re on a more unique focus and I found that here. A female Russian sniper with 300+ confirmed kills? TELL ME MORE.

What an stunning story. I was captivated from the get-go. It draws you in and every angle of this plot keeps things moving, keeps you guessing, keeps you wondering how in the world it’s going to end. I know some fictional liberties were taken, but they fit perfectly in with this novel. I love that Mila broke down barriers, and was stronger than I can ever imagine being. Her love for her son, and her country was palpable.

Many times my heart felt pulled right out of my chest. The middle of this book HURTS. The intricacies and pits of war are laid out in full view. I loved the complex nature of this dealings and seeing some of the war side in the United States with the Roosevelt’s. Even more so that the focus was on Eleanor and what part she played in Mila’s life (and vice versa). How a bonded female friendship was born from across two different nations.

This book was just something else. This experience was wholly encompassing and never let up. I LOVED it and will now be adding some Quinn backlist to my TBR.

Overall audience notes:

• Historical fiction
• Language: some strong
• Romance: closed door
• Violence: high
• Trigger/Content Warnings: teenage pregnancy and marriage, war themes, gun violence, colonialism, antisemitism, racism, sexism, slut-shaming, attempted murder

Instagram  ||  Goodreads   ||   The StoryGraph

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

The Diamond Eye Book Club Questions and Discussion Guide

Based on true events, The Diamond Eye is a haunting story of heroism, born from desperation of a mother who becomes a soldier. It’s a story about the strength and the courage of a female sniper, Mila Pavlichenko, who fought in the Russian Army during WWII. From a studious Ukrainian girl to history’s deadliest skilled sniper known famously as “Lady Death.” The key themes found in this novel are trauma and recovery from wartime experiences. Coming to terms with past losses and assimilating them into a new sense of self.

Hopefully your group is ready for an in depth conversation using The Diamond Eye book club questions. This discussion guide also features a book synopsis and some selected reviews. If you or your group enjoyed reading The Diamond Eye, there are three similar book recommendations provided.

(This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase, I’ll make a small commission.)

The Diamond Eye Synopsis

(We always chose to provide the publisher synopsis because we feel that it’s worthwhile to discuss whether the official book description actually squared with your experience of the book.)

The Diamond Eye , Kate Quinn

In 1937 in the snowbound city of 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.

The Diamond Eye Book Club Questions

These questions have been tailored to this book’s specific reading experience, but if you want more ideas, we also have an article with 101 generic book club questions .

• What was the most memorable quote from the book for you? Why did it have that effect on you?
• Mila transformed from a bookish student to deadly skilled sniper. What did you think of her personality and her character development?
• Knowing that Mila is a soldier as well as a mother, how did her struggle to juggle both sides influence your opinion of her character? If you were in her place, would you have made the same decision?
• This novel was published at a time where history is repeating itself as Russian and Ukraine are locked in conflict and war. Did you see parallels?
• What was your favorite part of this novel? What was your least favorite part of the novel?
• “Knowledge, to light the path for humankind,” I said at last. “And this”—patting my rifle—“to protect humankind when we lose that path.” How does the novel examine the concept of heroism? Do you think she was a hero? Why or why not?
• What did you think of the author’s handling of the book’s historical background and setting? Were you surprised to find out the story was more fact than fiction?
• How did you feel about the ending of the book? How did the author’s note at the end affect your perception and appreciation of the book? What did you think about Mila’s memoir?
• It’s unclear in the passage from her notes what Eleanor means when she says that “a Russian bullet has given me peace and safety to do it.” Does that imply that she supports Mila’s sniper tactics, or is there another meaning behind her words?
•  How did Mila’s wartime experiences affect her character and point of view throughout life, and how did it impact her relationships with others both during and following the war?

NEED BOOK CLUB IDEAS?

Use our guide to find dozens of book ideas for your group.

Selected Reviews for The Diamond Eye

(Use these selected Goodreads reviews to compare with your own experience of the book. Do you agree or disagree with the reviews?)

“The dazzling story of the multi-faceted, Mila Pavlichenko, and the life of the girl who became a mother, having been seduced at a very young age, the mother who became the reluctant wife, the wife who became a soldier, and the soldier who became one of WWII’s greatest snipers, and the sniper who became a diplomat to the US. Kate Quin has done it again and found another unfamiliar female war heroine, and having brilliantly researched her life and memoirs, has delivered another immersive, captivating and eye-opening account of a dark period in our history and the personal anguish felt by so many on both sides.”

“If you are a Language Arts teacher, this novel is an example of showing and not telling. A could be a great story about a true heroine that is wearisome. Thin character development, dialogue that does not offer depth, opportunities to describe war on the front line gone amiss, and a mother & son relationship that sadly never evolved on paper…”

“I was thrilled when I heard that Kate Quinn was writing a book about Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a historical figure who has long fascinated me and who I’ve felt more people should know about. This novel absolutely did NOT disappoint, as indeed Quinn’s novels never do. The characters were impeccably drawn, and the breadth of research was truly impressive. Quinn also managed to vividly convey the horrors of war, as Lyudmila is on the front lines of the Soviet Union struggling to repel the Nazi invasion.”

“It took me 4 months to get through this one, I kept making myself go back and pick it up to finish it, hoping it would eventually capture my interest […] In the end, I found this novel boring, difficult to get into, unable to connect with the characters etc.”

3 Books Like The Diamond Eye

If you’d like to read more of Kate Quinn, we also have a discussion guide for The Rose Code . And if you’ve already read and liked that one, we’ve also got a list of books like The Rose Code , which features historical events, strong female characters and war.

And if your book group is keen for more historical fiction set during WWII, check out our discussion guides for The Tattooist of Auschwitz , Pachinko , The Nightingale , and All the Light We Cannot See . Along with an article feature more books like All the Light We Cannot See .

Girl at War : A Novel, Sara Novic

This story is focused on a 10-year-old girl, Ana, who becomes exposed to danger when the Yugoslav civil war in Croatia breaks out in 1991. The story has a 10-year time jump to the year 2001, where Ana is now a college student in the US. The story continues to jump between the two timelines showing how Ana has been impacted and shaped by the war. The author does a great job showing the challenges of war through a child’s perspective.

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy , Karen Abbott

(Subtitle: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War)

A true story about four women who risked everything to become spies during the Civil War. Each one of them in their own way contributed to helping the Confederate army. The author seamlessly weaves the adventures of these four heroines into one beautiful story.

A Girl Called Samson , Amy Harmon

This story is centered around a Puritan girl named Debroah Samson who lives in Massachusetts. When the American Revolutionary War comes, they must fight for independence. Deborah disguises herself as a male soldier and enlists in the Continental army. As she fights for her country’s freedom, a surprising love forms.

Have a listen on Audible. Try audio books for free for 30 days.

Share these book club questions for The Diamond Eye with your friends:

Share on Social Media

Meet our Writers :

1 thought on “The Diamond Eye Book Club Questions and Discussion Guide”

The incredibly impossible ending of this book ruined what might have been a good novel. Since much of this novel simply repeats what other known sources have reported about Mila Pavlichenko, there was little to make it more than a recounting of true history, which I believe would make a better read.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

The Diamond Eye

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet librarian who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper.

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.

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.

**Ukrainian place names are listed in-text in THE DIAMOND EYE with the Russian spelling, since that is the terminology Lyudmila Pavlichenko would have known and used in her lifetime.**

The Alice Network

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.

Trailers for THE ROSE CODE, THE HUNTRESS & THE ALICE NETWORK!

• Top Rated Books
• Top Club Picks This Week
• BOOK CLUB INSIDER
• New Releases
• Now in Paperback
• Reese Witherspoon Book Club
• Oprah's Book Club
• Read with Jenna
• Amazon Best Books
• People Picks
• Entertainment Weekly Picks
• Vogue Recommends
• Skimm Reads
• From Page to Screen

Member Login

Forgot your login/password?

BKMT READING GUIDES

The Diamond Eye: A Novel by Kate Quinn

In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kiev (now known as Kyiv), wry and bookish history ...

Introduction

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 sonâ??but Hitlerâ??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 sniperâ??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, DCâ??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 Milaâ??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.

Editorial Review

Discussion questions, notes from the author to the bookclub, book club recommendations.

Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members.

Member Reviews

Too long on the battle/shooting scenes rather than developing and exposing the backgrounds on some of the main characters. This may be difficult since the characters were real people and little was known... (read more)

Loved this book and so did my husband. Not only is it informational but its inspiring to women but still intriguing to all. Shes incredible and strong but still shows vulnerability.

Now serving over 80,000 book clubs & ready to welcome yours. Join us and get the Top Book Club Picks of 2022 (so far).

Get Top Club Picks Delivered Weekly

• Contact Info
• For Authors & Publishers
• Privacy Notice
• Randy Susan Meyers
• Anna Quindlen
• AUTHORS & PUBLISHERS
• Feature your book on BookMovement!

© 2003 - 2024 BookMovement, LLC. All rights reserved.

• Bookreporter
• ReadingGroupGuides
• AuthorsOnTheWeb

The Book Report Network

Sign up for our newsletters!

Regular Features

Author spotlights, "bookreporter talks to" videos & podcasts, "bookaccino live: a lively talk about books", favorite monthly lists & picks, seasonal features, book festivals, sports features, bookshelves.

• Coming Soon

Newsletters

• Weekly Update
• On Sale This Week
• Summer Reading
• Spring Preview
• Winter Reading
• Holiday Cheer
• Fall Preview

Word of Mouth

Submitting a book for review, write the editor, you are here:, the diamond eye.

• About the Book

The New York Times bestselling author of THE ROSE CODE returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet librarian who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story.

In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kiev, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son --- but Hitler’s invasion of 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.

Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

• Publication Date: March 14, 2023
• Genres: Fiction , Historical Fiction
• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• ISBN-10: 0063144700
• ISBN-13: 9780063144705

Resources

• Apple Books
• Barnes & Noble
• Books-A-Million
• Google Play

Product Details

accessibility

• Audiobooks.com
• Audiobooks Now
• Book Passage
• Book People
• Books & Books
• Brookline Booksmith
• Changing Hands
• Harvard Book Store
• Hudson Bookseller
• Hudson Booksellers
• Porter Square Books
• Schuler Books & Music
• Tattered Cover Book Store

How our ebooks work

Ebooks purchased here are fulfilled by our partner, glose..

Please note that:

• For all ebook purchases, you will be prompted to create an account or login with your existing HarperCollins username and password. This ensures accurate delivery of your items.
• To access you ebook(s) after purchasing, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly on your browser by logging into Glose.com . To log in, select OTHER SIGN IN/LOGIN OPTIONS and then click SIGN IN/LOG IN WITH HARPERCOLLINS, using the same email address and password used for your HarperCollins.com account.
• Ebooks fulfilled through Glose cannot be printed, downloaded as PDF, or read in other digital readers (like Kindle or Nook).
• For more information about ebooks purchased on HarperCollins.com, click here for our FAQs .

UPCOMING EVENTS

Recommended for you.

• Literature & Fiction
• Genre Fiction

Sorry, there was a problem.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

The Diamond Eye: A Novel Paperback – Deckle Edge, March 14, 2023

Don’t miss the thrilling new novel from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club , coming July 9th!

New York Times Bestseller

The 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 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.

• Print length 448 pages
• Language English
• Publisher William Morrow Paperbacks
• Publication date March 14, 2023
• Dimensions 5.31 x 1.01 x 8 inches
• ISBN-10 0063144700
• ISBN-13 978-0063144705
• See all details

Get to know this book

What's it about.

Popular highlight

From the publisher.

Customer Reviews
Price	—	—	—	—	$4.23$4.23	—

Editorial Reviews

“Remarkable…Kate Quinn is a master at crafting an intoxicating, well-balanced blend of immersive period details and deft character work. … The Diamond Eye  is a remarkable combination of immersive wartime storytelling, rich detailing and wonderful pacing. What really makes  The Diamond Eye  land, though, goes beyond Quinn’s mastery of her chosen genre. This is, first and foremost, an exceptional character piece, a study of a woman who is a killer, a mother, a lover and, above all else, a survivor.” — BookPage (starred review)

“Quinn ( The Rose Code ) specializes in centering strong women; each of her books exceeds expectations set by the previous title… Readers looking for a new and unique viewpoint of World War II with a mystery to solve and a light touch of romance will dive deep into this story.” — Library Journal  (starred review)

"Kate Quinn amazes me. With each new book she reaches new heights in her craft as a writer of page-turning plots and prose.  The Diamond Eye is a remarkable story filled with heart, intrigue, breathtaking drama and, perhaps best of all, meticulously researched details that prove that history provides the absolute best raw material for storytelling. Like her sniper subject Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Kate Quinn has brilliantly hit her mark—this is a stunning novel about a singular historical heroine."  — Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

“Kate Quinn has excelled in previous novels at transforming real-life historical biography into page-turning fiction.  The Diamond Eye —combat novel, wartime love story, assassination thriller—in prose that shifts from lyrical to melodramatic as events demand, sets up and pulls off a double-barreled surprise-ending worthy of its larger-than-life inspiration.” — Wall Street Journal

“[A] thrilling novel. WWII heroines are having a moment, and this is a stellar example. Recommend it to all lovers of smart historical fiction [and] her inspiration for the hero of this powerful WWII tale, a librarian-turned-military-sniper, will appeal to an even greater audience.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Exciting…Historical fiction fans will be riveted.” — Publishers Weekly

“Kate Quinn is an excellent storyteller, and she perfectly captures Mila’s spirit and personality both on and off the battlefield… Don’t miss this timely story about the immense power, strength and resilience of a Ukranian woman!” — BookReporter.com

"The Diamond Eye  is sharply observed, multi-faceted and brilliantly alive—historical fiction at its best!" — Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance

"A riveting, authentic story of a Soviet woman who becomes a sniper during WWII. In page-turning prose, Kate Quinn illuminates the tale of Mila Pavlichenko, who, after killing more than 300 of Hitler's most formidable officers, comes to the U.S. to promote America's entry into the war. With vivid characters, unforgettable battle scenes, and moments of intense humanity and love, The Diamond Eye is a master class in historical fiction. It will leave you breathless, choking on tears."  — Elena Gorokhova, author of A Train to Moscow

"Readers can all but smell the gunsmoke in The Diamond Eye , so thoroughly does Kate Quinn immerse you in the grim and grey world of the Russian Front — and in the psyche of her remarkable real-life heroine, Mila Pavlichenko. Quinn’s page-turning account of Mila’s transformation from student to sniper measures the unimaginable toll of pulling the trigger, portraying with power and compassion Mila’s urge not to kill, but to protect. Unputdownable!" — Bryn Turnbull, author of The Last Grand Duchess

“A sparkling gem of a story about a fabulous and fascinating woman. Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s journey from history student and mother to sniper and national hero is beautifully rendered by Kate Quinn in this utterly absorbing novel.”  — Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Riviera House

“The brilliant Kate Quinn is at the top of her game with an unexpected historical heroine to root for. The young Russian mother and war hero will steal your heart by stealth--just as she stole the heart of Eleanor Roosevelt, America's most celebrated First Lady. You'll be wowed by this unlikely tale of love and lasting friendship that transcends ideology. It kept me reading late into the night!” — Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“From blood-soaked Russian battlefields to the White House Rose Garden, Kate Quinn takes expert aim at one of history’s forgotten heroines to bring us a story that will pull you in from the very first sentence. The Diamond Eye is her best yet!”  — Alix Rickloff, author of The Way to London

"The Diamond Eye is another winner from Kate Quinn. A historian-turned-sniper who falls in love in wartorn Russia and then befriends Eleanor Roosevelt – what’s not to love? The thrilling showdown at the end is not to be missed!" —  Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms

"An epic journey with history's deadliest female sniper from the trenches of the Russian front to the halls of American power, The Diamond Eye is an enthralling page-turner brimming with emotion and excitement. Kate Quinn writes with a diamond eye for detail." — Taylor Adams, author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge

“In The Diamond Eye , Kate Quinn introduces us to her fiercest heroine yet, Mila Pavlichenko, a celebrated female sniper for the Red Army who displays death-defying courage, skill, and wisdom. As readers follow her into the trenches of WWII, they will feel the adrenaline rush each time she pulls the trigger. Be forewarned: once you start reading, you’ll not be able to stop turning the pages. Exquisitely told, this is what makes Kate Quinn such a powerhouse in historical fiction.” — Renee Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer

"Few authors are able to craft stories as immersive and compulsively readable as Kate Quinn, and her latest is not exception. The Diamond Eye is a sparkling new gem in Quinn’s already impressive bibliography. Quinn recaptures the Russian intrigue—the utter magic—of The Huntress in Mila’s story. The characters and setting are vibrant and compelling, and the reader can’t help but root for Quinn’s heroine from start to finish.  A brilliant tale by a master storyteller." — Aimie K. Runyan, bestselling author of T he School for German Brides

“Crack-shot novelist Kate Quinn’s aim is dead on in The Diamond Eye . Based on the true story of a Soviet female sniper who killed more than three hundred German soldiers and then befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, Quinn’s suspenseful narrative rings with deep understanding of long-range riflery, U.S. politics early in WWII, and the heartache of a woman on the front lines of combat.” — Mark Sullivan, bestselling author of The Last Green Valley and Beneath a Scarlet Sky

"A stunning, immersive tour de force by one of the best historical fiction writers working today. Meticulously researched, deftly plotted, and executed with a thrilling blend of action and heart, The Diamond Eye is a masterpiece."  — Kristin Harmel,  New York Times  bestselling author of  The Forest of Vanishing Stars

“Based on an amazing true story, The Diamond Eye is an explosive novel whose unforgettable librarian-sniper heroine and pulse-pounding plot will have readers staring down the barrel of a gun until the final page. Kate Quinn has hit the mark once again!”  — Stephanie Marie Thornton,  USA Today  bestselling author of A Most Clever Girl

“[A] gripping historical thriller.” — The Big Thrill

About the Author

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of Southern California, she attended Boston University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical voice. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga and two books set in the Italian Renaissance before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network , The Huntress , The Rose Code, and The Diamond Eye . All have been translated into multiple languages. She and her husband now live in California with three black rescue dogs.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (March 14, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063144700
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063144705
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.01 x 8 inches
• #31 in World War II Historical Fiction (Books)
• #116 in 20th Century Historical Fiction (Books)
• #626 in Literary Fiction (Books)

About the author

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," and "The Diamond Eye." All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.

Customer reviews

Our goal is to make sure every review is trustworthy and useful. That's why we use both technology and human investigators to block fake reviews before customers ever see them.  Learn more

We block Amazon accounts that violate our community guidelines. We also block sellers who buy reviews and take legal actions against parties who provide these reviews.  Learn how to report

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• About Amazon
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell products on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Become an Affiliate
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Amazon and COVID-19
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices

• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Advertisement

Supported by

Life, Death and Life After Death in June’s Graphic Novels

Justice, feminism, freedom and cheap horror thrills make for an exciting month of reading.

• Share full article

By Sam Thielman

Though it is customarily served cold, revenge is a surprisingly versatile dish. Take, for example, Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows’s THE RIBBON QUEEN (194 pp., AWA Studios, $19.99) , a grisly crime/horror hybrid with a lot on its mind. Our heroine, Amy Sun, is a detective for the New York Police Department and a reluctant investigator into the suspicious suicide of a young woman who had recently been rescued by the chauvinist leader of a decorated tactical unit.

It’s a setup one might expect from a Tana French novel, but Ennis and Burrows, who love to test their readers’ tolerances for viscera, are headed into far wilder territory. The pair has worked together often, sometimes on Marvel’s “Punisher” comics and sometimes on their own eye-wateringly gory zombie series, “Crossed,” but here they are concerned with subjects that fit comfortably in neither venue: the problem of misogyny, and the danger of police corruption in the aftermath of the widespread anti-brutality protests in 2020. Into this volatile mix, Ennis and Burrows thrust Bella Rhinebeck, a murder victim, and her posthumous patron, a monstrous being that can’t be easily described, not even after seeing it in action in the book. The dialogue throughout “The Ribbon Queen” is sharp and contemporary, and Burrows’s renderings are carefully detailed and realistic. The book’s jolting supernatural scares are that much more frightening for the contrast.

What does it mean to live independently, or even to live well? Those are the questions that animate Sig Burwash’s VERA BUSHWACK (236 pp., D&Q, $29.95) , a remarkable new graphic novel about a young logger named Drew who lives a rich fantasy life as a chain saw-wielding cowpoke while dealing with the logistical demands unique to a woman who wants to live by herself, in the woods, with her dog, Pony, and no one else. (Vera is the name on the side of Drew’s motorcycle, which transforms into an orange horse in her daydreams.)

Burwash, who uses they/she pronouns, gives the book’s art a lovely personality. It is surprisingly plastic; sometimes their renderings of Drew and her environs are simple contours, sometimes the images are drawn from such a height that they’re almost maps of the forest where Drew lives, and sometimes a few pages will look deliberately cartoony.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

iOS 18 makes iPhone more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever

New Levels of Customization and Capability

Photos Gets a Unified View, New Collections, and Customization

Powerful Ways to Stay Connected in Messages

Enhancements to Mail

Big Updates to Safari

Introducing the Passwords App

New Privacy Features Designed to Empower Users

Apple Intelligence Transforms the iPhone Experience

• In Apple Maps , users can browse thousands of hikes across national parks in the United States and easily create their own custom walking routes, which they can access offline. Maps users can also save their favorite national park hikes, custom walking routes, and locations to an all-new Places Library and add personal notes about each spot.
• Game Mode enhances the gaming experience with more consistent frame rates, especially during long play sessions, and makes wireless accessories like AirPods and game controllers incredibly responsive.
• Users get new ways to pay with Apple Pay , including the ability to redeem rewards and access installments from their eligible credit or debit cards. 5 With Tap to Cash, users can send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding two iPhone devices together. 6 Tickets in Apple Wallet bring a richer experience for fans, putting key event information like stadium details, recommended Apple Music playlists, and more at their fingertips. 7
• SharePlay with Apple Music allows even more users to share control of music playing from HomePod, Apple TV, or any Bluetooth-enabled speaker, making listening together more fun and engaging.
• The AirPods experience gets even more personal, private, and convenient with Siri Interactions, allowing AirPods Pro (2nd generation) users to simply nod their head yes or gently shake their head no to respond to Siri announcements. For even clearer call quality, Voice Isolation comes to AirPods Pro, ensuring the caller’s voice is heard in loud or windy environments. AirPods updates also provide the best wireless audio latency Apple has ever delivered for mobile gaming, and add Personalized Spatial Audio for even more immersive gameplay.
• In the Notes app , formulas and equations entered while typing are solved instantly with Math Notes. New collapsible sections and highlighting make it easier to emphasize what’s important.
• In Journal , an all-new insights view helps users keep track of their journaling goals, and the ability to search and sort entries makes it easy to enjoy past memories. Time spent journaling can be saved as mindful minutes in the Health app, and users can log their state of mind right in Journal. A Journal widget is now available for users to quickly start an entry from the Home Screen or Lock Screen, audio recordings are automatically transcribed, and users can export and print journal entries.
• Calendar becomes even more helpful by showing both events and tasks from Reminders . Users can create, edit, and complete reminders right from Calendar, and the updated month view provides an overview of events and tasks at a glance.
• In the Health app , Medical ID has been redesigned to make it even easier for first responders to find the most important information in an emergency. The Health app can help users better understand their data during pregnancy by making adjustments and recommendations to reflect changes in their physical and mental health.
• Emergency SOS Live Video allows users to share context through streaming video and recorded media. In the middle of an emergency call, participating emergency dispatchers can send a request for a user to share live video or media from the user’s camera roll over a secure connection, making it easier and faster to get help.
• The Home app introduces guest access, providing users with easy ways to grant guests control of select smart home accessories, set schedules for when guests can access the home, and more. For an effortless home entry experience, hands-free unlock with home keys leverages Ultra Wideband technology to allow users to instantly open supported entry locks as soon as they are six feet away from their door. With convenient updates to the Energy category, the Home app makes it easier for eligible users to access, understand, and make more informed decisions about their home electricity use.
• Accessibility updates include Eye Tracking, a built-in option for navigating iPhone with just eyes; Music Haptics, a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music using the Taptic Engine in iPhone; and Vocal Shortcuts that enable users to perform tasks by making a custom sound.

Text of this article

June 10, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

The release introduces all-new customization options, the biggest-ever redesign of Photos, powerful updates for staying connected, and Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA  Apple today previewed iOS 18 , a major release that features more customization options, the biggest redesign ever of the Photos app, new ways for users to manage their inbox in Mail, Messages over satellite, and so much more. Users will be able to arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen, customize the buttons at the bottom of the Lock Screen, and quickly access more controls in Control Center. Photo libraries are automatically organized in a new single view in Photos, and helpful new collections keep favorites easily accessible. Mail simplifies the inbox by sorting email into categories using on-device intelligence, and all-new text effects come to iMessage. Powered by the same groundbreaking technology as existing iPhone satellite capabilities, users can now communicate over satellite in the Messages app when a cellular or Wi-Fi connection isn’t available. 1

iOS 18 also introduces Apple Intelligence , the personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that’s incredibly useful and relevant. 2 Built with privacy from the ground up, Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. It harnesses the power of Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context, to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks.

“We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18. It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customization and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “This release also marks the beginning of a tremendously exciting new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can’t wait for users to experience it.”

iPhone users have new ways to customize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center. Users can now arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen, including placing them right above the dock for easy access or perfectly framing a wallpaper. App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make them appear larger to create the experience that is perfect for them.

Control Center has been redesigned to provide easier access to many of the things users do every day, and it gets new levels of customization and flexibility. The redesign delivers quick access to new groups of a user’s most-utilized controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily swipe between each. Users can now add controls from supported third-party apps into Control Center to quickly unlock a vehicle or jump right into capturing content for social media — all from one place. The new controls gallery displays the full set of available options, and users can customize how the controls are laid out, including adjusting them to the ideal size and creating entirely new groups.

For the first time, users can now switch the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, including choosing from options available in the controls gallery or removing them entirely. With the Action button available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, users can quickly invoke controls available in the gallery.

Photos receives its biggest-ever redesign to help users easily find and relive special moments. A simplified, single view displays a familiar grid, and new collections help users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums. Plus, collections can be pinned to keep favorites easily accessible. A new carousel view presents highlights that update each day and feature favorite people, pets, places, and more. Autoplaying content throughout the app brings libraries to life, so past moments can be enjoyed while browsing. Because each user’s photo library is unique, the app is customizable, so users can organize collections, pin collections to access frequently, and include what’s most important to them in the carousel view.

iMessage receives all-new text effects that bring conversations to life by amplifying any letter, word, phrase, or emoji with dynamic, animated appearances. Users can better express tone by adding formatting like bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough. Tapbacks expand to include any emoji or sticker, and now users can compose a message and schedule to send it at a later time.

When messaging contacts who do not have an Apple device, the Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS.

iOS 18 introduces Messages via satellite for the times when cellular and Wi-Fi connections aren’t available. Powered by the same groundbreaking technology as existing iPhone satellite capabilities, Messages via satellite automatically prompts users to connect to their nearest satellite right from the Messages app to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS. 3 With Dynamic Island, users always know when they are connected to a satellite. Because iMessage was built to protect user privacy, iMessages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted.

Later this year, Mail will introduce new ways for users to manage their inbox and stay up to date. On-device categorization organizes and sorts incoming email into Primary for personal and time-sensitive emails, Transactions for confirmations and receipts, Updates for news and social notifications, and Promotions for marketing emails and coupons. Mail also features a new digest view that pulls together all of the relevant emails from a business, allowing users to quickly scan for what’s important in the moment.

Safari, the world’s fastest browser, 4 now offers an even easier way to discover information on the web with Highlights and a redesigned Reader experience. Using machine learning, Safari can surface key information about a webpage. For example, users can review a summary to get the gist of an article; quickly see the location of a restaurant, hotel, or landmark; or listen to an artist’s track right from an article about the song or album. Reader has been redesigned to offer even more ways to enjoy articles without distraction, with a summary and table of contents included for longer articles.

Building on the foundation of Keychain, which was first introduced more than 25 years ago, the new Passwords app makes it easy for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes. The app also includes alerts for users regarding common weaknesses, such as passwords that are easily guessed or used multiple times and those that appear in known data leaks.

iOS 18 gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories.

Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others. Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder. When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app are hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system.

iOS 18 puts users in control by letting them choose to share only specific contacts with an app. In addition, developers now have a way to seamlessly connect third-party accessories with iPhone without letting an app see all the other devices on a user’s network, keeping a user’s devices private and making pairing seamless.

Deeply integrated into iOS 18 and built with privacy from the ground up, Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively. With brand-new systemwide Writing Tools built into iOS 18, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.

New image capabilities make communication and self-expression even more fun. With Image Playground, users can create playful images in seconds, choosing from three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. Image Playground is easy to use, built right into apps like Messages, and also available in a dedicated app.

Memories in Photos lets users create the stories they want to see just by typing a description. Apple Intelligence will pick out the best photos and videos based on the description, craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and arrange them into a movie with its own narrative arc. In addition, a new Clean Up tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.

With the power of Apple Intelligence, Siri takes a major step forward, becoming even more natural, contextually relevant, and personal. Users can type to Siri, and switch between text and voice to communicate with Siri in whatever way feels right for the moment.

With Private Cloud Compute, Apple sets a new standard for privacy in AI, with the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing, and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers. When requests are routed to Private Cloud Compute, data is not stored or made accessible to Apple and is only used to fulfill the user’s requests, and independent experts can verify this privacy.

Additionally, access to ChatGPT is integrated into Siri and systemwide Writing Tools across Apple’s platforms, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.

Additional features in iOS 18 include: 

Availability

The developer beta of iOS 18 is available through the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com starting today, and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month at beta.apple.com . iOS 18 will be available this fall as a free software update for iPhone Xs and later. Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to U.S. English, as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia this fall. For more information, visit apple.com/ios/ios-18-preview and apple.com/apple-intelligence . Features are subject to change. Some features are not available in all regions, all languages, or on all devices. For more information about availability, visit apple.com .

• Messages via satellite will be available in iOS 18 along with Apple’s existing satellite features in the U.S. on iPhone 14 and later.
• Users with an eligible iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and Siri and device language set to English (U.S.) can sign up this fall to access the Apple Intelligence beta.
• SMS availability will depend on carrier. Carrier fees may apply. Users should check with their carrier for details.
• Testing was conducted by Apple in May 2023. See apple.com/safari  for more information.
• The new Apple Pay features are available on cards from participating banks and card providers in certain markets. Subject to eligibility and approval.
• Apple Cash services are provided by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, and only available in the U.S. on eligible devices. Learn more about the terms and conditions . To send and receive money with an Apple Cash account, users must be 18 and a U.S. resident, or if under 18, part of an Apple Cash Family account. Tap to Cash transaction limits are subject to change, including lowering limits, at any time during the developer or public betas without notice.
• Ticket enhancements in Apple Wallet are available for events from participating ticket issuers.

Press Contacts

Nadine Haija

[email protected]

Tania Olkhovaya

[email protected]

Apple Media Helpline

[email protected]

Images in this article