The Sharp Edge of Silence is an unflinching portrayal of the aftermath of sexual assault and the effect it has not only on the survivor but on those around them.

This book brought me to tears with the stark representation of a horrific situation. I felt that the characters were extremely well shown and did not feel contrived. The supportive network that was created by the women in the novel was well shown.

I don't think this book will be for everyone and I would not recommend it to everyone due to the sensitive and triggering nature of the topics contained. However, for those who do feel able to read about the topic I would recommend picking up this book.

I went into this book expecting a revenge story and when I didn't get that to the extent I was anticipating, it kind of took the wind out of my sails.

At first, I really begrudged the three narrative perspectives. Like I was so blinded by my expectations for a revenge story that I had this "why are you even here?" feeling towards Max and Charlotte. This is a lesson in patience for me, because once I reached the end of the book, I sat back and realised the reason these characters are so prominent to the story - most notably, Max is there to show how "nice guys", while not actively partaking in mysogyny and abuse, are often times complicit and also how easily they are indoctrinated into this group. I thought this aspect of the story differentiated it

Heart wrenchingly poignant and unflinching in its emotionally raw portrayal of rape culture and toxic masculinity, The Sharpe Edge of Silence is by no means an easy read but it’s definitely a worth while one!

Every school and college should have a copy of this book!

This was a very well-written novel that explored toxic masculinity and educations acceptance of it. It dealt with rape and its consequences sensitively and ultimately was a very poignant read.

The characters were well-developed and the protagonist complex as she wasn’t always likeable.

I really enjoyed this book and have already recommended it several times.

wow. this book had me in a complete mess. this book explores rape culture and toxic masculinity and therefore... it is bound to make you feel angry. The subject matter is quite dense and it makes you feel like shit. But it is such an important read. Exploration of how these ideas are passed down from generation and generation and perpetuated by this boy will be boys mentality is written with great nuance and sophistication. given that this talks about sexual abuse, I advise readers to take care of themselves and be fully prepared before you go into the book because it is quite hard hitting especially because the gravity of the matter at hand is immeasurable and a lot of women will see themselves in this book.Not an easy read but a book everyone should read at some point.

thank you to netgalley for providing me with an earc of this book🙏🏻

Lycroft Phelps is a very special, prestigious boarding school in the US and only the rich and one or two extraordinary kids who are awarded a scholarship can attend. A great deal of the school is excellent but the underbelly, not so much and certain people get away with anything, anything at all. If I was a teenager then I would have loved this kind of a book but as I’m not, I didn’t. Too much unnecessary information about the three main characters, not to mention teenage angst. If there was ever a story that would have been improved by halving it, then this is it. I could see the point, the reason why it was written, indeed there several heart rending comments made but it was a real slog getting there. Maybe it’s the way it was written, I don’t know but it wasn’t for me. Perhaps the YA market is the place for this? The book has some great reviews so probably just me!

The Sharp Edge of Silence is a harrowing story that tackles the sexual abuse of Quinn at a private school in New England that is set to change everything.

Split into the three narrative voices of Max Charlotte and Quinn, the story plots out the trauma and tackles toxic masculinity head on as each character charts their way through the elite Lycroft Phelps School.

Taking inspiration from Rosenblum's own experiences of sexual abuse, it is a very difficult read. But it is so worth it.

A powerful and eye-opening read. Refreshing and empowering, and a compelling read throughout. The story drew me in from the start.

A compelling read throughout . This story drew me in from the start. I was hopeful of Q getting her revenge for the attack she suffered. A great cast of characters, some likeable and some not!

📚Book Review: The Sharp Edge of Silence by Carmen Kelly Rosenblum

The Sharp Edge of Silence follows Quinn, a teenage girl with a scholarship to boarding school, as she deals with having been raped by one of the popular boys after their summer prom.

It’s super dark and twisty as Quinn plots revenge and even tries to get her hands on a gun so she can kill him for what he did to her.

Some of the chapters also switch to providing the perspectives of Charlotte and Max. Charlotte is one of Quinn’s friends and is also dating one of the other super popular boys. Whilst Max is a bit of a geek, but finds himself trying to impress the popular boys when he gets chosen to be the cox for their rowing team.

All in all this book was a good insight into US boarding school dynamics and I liked the characters. It had some dark twists and turns as Quinn struggled to cope with what had happened to her but I liked where this story line went. Overall I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

This was a DNF for me - I read the first 50% and although there was a lot of scene setting the overall plot was moving at too slow a pace. I appreciate the opportunity to read it - and because I’ve not completed the book I won’t be leaving a review on any platform, as it’s just the pacing that didn’t suit me personally.

Starting with the author’s note you know this is going to be a gripping but emotional read. The characters are compelling and the book is well written. The sad part is that it IS believable and that message is likely to stay with me.

Although the beginning was slow and there were many characters to keep track of, I'm glad I kept reading because it turned out to be an excellent novel. The book deals with sensitive topics such as rape, sexualization, masculinity, and the objectification of women in a thoughtful and delicate way. The storyline is captivating, and I found myself completely absorbed in it, rooting for some characters and hoping others would face the consequences of their actions. Overall, it's a compelling and thought-provoking read.

This book is a thrilling political intrigue story that follows a determined protagonist as she uncovers dangerous secrets. It keeps readers hooked from beginning to end with its tense plot and compelling characters, providing both thrills and deep insights, making it a truly captivating read.

This is set in an elite boarding school. It is told from multiple perspectives. It is well written and the characters are well developed.

A harrowing read but an important one. It makes my skin crawl to think of the things that happen in this book happening day in day out and the perpetrators getting away with it.
The authors note makes it even more real too.

“There are monsters amongst us and they look like us - ‘not all men.’”

This hit me so hard, but it was really an excellent piece of literature. Please check the trigger warnings for this one, but I highly recommend it,

I was really drawn in to this book and so excited for it, thinking it would be exactly what I was looking for, but 15% in and I just... didn't care.
I do struggle with multi-pov as I can forget who's who or who done what etc. but ultimately, nothing piqued my interested and I found myself not being interested in reading anything because I just didn't want to read this, so I've dnf'd.

I don't think it's a bad book. I definitely think it will have it's audience, it just wasn't what I was looking for and I felt forcing myself to finish it would lend to a poorer review, and also affect my desire to read other books.

DNF at 68 pages

This sounded like it would be right up my alley but I don’t think it’s going to be for me. The pacing is far too slow and I didn’t get attached enough to any of the characters to care about how they are connected to Q and what happened to her and what’s she’s planning. The writing is great, really descriptive and easy to envision but the pace was a lot slower than I was expecting and I don’t think I’ll enjoy it the way I want to.

I found it a bit slow to start but I persevered. What an important and challenging topic to write about. Credit to the author giving the subject the weight it deserves.

I think this has become one of my favourite YA academic setting books that deal with SA and toxic masculinity

I think this is a book everyone should read at least once!