I found this book’s plot far too slow. By a third of the way through nothing had actually happened and I’m afraid I gave up, it’s rare for me to not finish a book but I think I gave it a fair go. Some will enjoy it - just not for me.

This book is superbly well written, tackling the subject of toxic masculinity and sexual assault with honesty and raw passion.
Sadly, it’s also a book that needs to be read by both sexes, as misogyny is still rife in schools. Rosenblum depicts a culture of privilege and hypocrisy, where diversity is supposedly “championed”, yet traditional values and orthodoxies rule the day. The cover sums it up nicely: “boys will be boys” has been used for too long as an excuse for appalling behaviour.
Rosenblum didn’t use the narrative as a means of male bashing - pleasingly, the main character, Quinn, was supported by male and female friends, ultimately leading her to gain revenge. A satisfying end to an emotional read.

This unfortunately is a DNF at 18%. I tried really hard but the writing style isn't for me, I just couldn't get into it.

Not going to lie it was the cover of this that initially drew me straight in and had me intrigued. I was actually worried when I read the plot and thought that it sounded amazing too that it would disappoint.. spoiler it did not! It was incredibly powerful and definitely eye opening, would be ideal for younger readers I think too! I couldn’t put it down as it became so addictive to find out what was going to happen next as the chain of revenge started for Quinn. I think it was upsetting in parts, unsettling in others but ultimately amazingly well written and important to read.

This book was so good. It sends such a crucial message. I felt myself relating to the book a little which I didn’t expect and I did cry a little. We are always told boys do certain things because “that’s just the way they are” or “they have a crush on you”. We’re never told it’s for nefarious reasons. One of the reasons I love this book is that it breaks that down. It gets rid of that notion, in a healthy way. More adult driven books resort to violence when the FMC is wronged or hurt by a man. Not this book. It handles the situation so delicately. I will defo be reading more from this author.

Tackled impotent topics,lots of emotions.
Enjoyed the complexity of the characters as it’s just humans, morally grey characters. Very well written excited to see what else comes out from This author.

I really enjoyed this story, it was a different take on issues and I thought came together really well. The characters were well thought out and I was hooked from the start.

⭐️⭐️ 2 very disappointing stars. This book is full of unlikeable characters and slow, slow chapters and storytelling.

I kept waiting for something to happen. After about 30% I gave up then tried again a week later. It plodded on.

Not sure why I am not getting what all the 5 star reviews are getting.

Loved this one, with characters so real, you'll feel like you know them personally and really invest in them. A masterful narrative that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve finished.

The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

3 STARS

An important and challenging topic to write about. I struggled with this one - maybe due to the topic and content dealt with. The author gives the subject the weight it deserves but comes off a little heavy due to it.

Firstly I would like to state that this is a very emotional and dark read, but I also feel like it is a very important one. It focuses on topics of the culture around “boys clubs” and the toxic masculinity that can be encouraged within them, as well as their impact on sexual harassment, assault and rape culture. While this was definitely a tough read it was very insightful and thought provoking. I would say it was also slightly triggering, but I sort of expected it to be going into it and that is why I allowed myself to put the book down for a while at around the 60% mark. I knew that I’d come back to it and I really am glad that I did, I just needed a short breather. I also feel that after the release of the Barbie movie and watching that and the reactions that SOME people have had to that is sort of a reflection to how some events in this book can sometimes come about. Through very old and sexist views, of people stuck in their ways and how sometimes if we don’t have these conversations, this mindset is more likely to be passed down if certain attitudes or behaviour go unchecked or unquestioned. I believe that this book has a potential for a lot of very important conversations and discussions.

When I first started reading this book, I initially found the cast of characters and switching between multiple POVs a little confusing. However I’d say I became a lot more familiar around the 30% mark. To begin with I really thought this was going to have a different outcome, but I’m glad it went the way it did when coming to Q’s journey and “growth”. And I hate to use the word growth in this case, as Q should not be the one putting in work to have to grow or recover due to something that she not only didn’t ask for but verbally resisted. It is unfair that a lot of the time victims are the ones left to pick up the pieces and question whether people will believe them or even feel the need to THANK people for believing them. It might seem absurd, but I understand it from personal experience and I truly felt like I could relate at so many points especially to a lot of Quinn’s reactions. Whilst my situation was different, I still felt like Quinn really was portrayed in such a realistic and relatable way. And that was emotional, to feel seen but also to realise that this is a whole culture, something that women are dealing with in every day life, and you may never know. Often times the victims feel shame and rage all these negative yet strong emotions that victims are left to deal with while the people that did this to them get to carry on normally and “strut around”.

Pearce is someone I just want to punch in the face so so badly. But unfortunately he is a very real representation of some people still in this day and age.

I think this book tackled this whole situation and discussion very well. It was emotional but also the characters and experiences came to life in a way that many women can relate to. It also didn’t turn it into a battle between men and women which I am very grateful for as sometimes a lot of people who don’t want to listen to how these issues are affecting women often throw out the idea that it is “feminist drivel” and that it’s about “bringing men down”. And it’s not like that at all but unfortunately some people like to use that excuse to shut down conversations through accusations of being “attacked”. I think this book was crafted very well to tackle that possible mindset and it’s so annoying that I feel I even need to mention that but from what I often hear with anything regarding something like this, there is always someone who twists or refuses to actually try and understand the text.

With that all being said, I think The Sharp Edge Of Silence is a book that looks at very important and sensitive situations, and I think it was done very well. The last 30% of this book really pushed what I thought would be a four star read into a five star one.

I feel like I’d also like to say, please don’t suffer in silence. Please reach out to a trusted friend, family member or other trusted individual, even a call line that can help. The silence is loud and overpowering and speaking about it with someone you trust can really help. Even journaling to start. Please remember that no matter your gender or sexuality or any personal identifications, you deserve a safe space to be heard and to discuss things and bottling things up can lead to a very lonely place. I hope you realise how strong you are, even in times when you shouldn’t have to be.

Please reach out to someone and don’t let the silence consume you. Sending much love.

I struggled through this book, as it's not my usual topic.
It was an interesting read, but not something I would pick up again. It didn't really pull me into the action.

Excellent premise, but became stagnant around the halfway point.

I went into this book with high anticipations, since I am drawn to works that revolve around social issues and heavier topics. The multiple POVs didn't pose as an issue at the beginning, and I wanted to know Quinn's story. Given the themes at play, the rating wasn't going to be based on whether Q was going to have a "happy ending", since her character is written with the purpose of resonating with real life victims of SA, whose struggles and overcoming various traumas aren't so much a linear experience as ones depicted in fiction.

It was around the halfway point (150+ pages or so), where I realised the story was getting nowhere. There was a lot of built up and other than Q's pov (and the truth of who was the perpetrator), neither of the other two characters - Charlotte and Max, seemed to be directly involved with the character or the plot, and there seemed to be a disconnection between them all.

The book became more of a depiction of life at a prestigious boarding school and descriptions of the expensive facilities on offer, paired with a comprehensive manual of competitive rowing rather than focusing on the emotions of the other two characters involved. Furthemore, it was a jarring experience to switch back and forth from Q's pain to the others. Hence with the myriad of 5 star ratings, it's difficult to post thoughts that contradict with others' experiences with this work.

The Sharp Edge of Silence is heavily reminiscent of Promising Young Woman, where similar themes of revenge, SA, and injustice were involved, and Asking for It by O'Neill. It would be a lie to say I hadn't expected this work to deliver the emotional experience similar to these, and hence perhaps the let down would have been far less if I did not experienced the former two stories.

I really enjoyed this book. It was, admittedly, hard to read sometimes because of the subject, but I feel that it was very well done. I was gripped by the story throughout. Would definitely recommend!

Taut, unpredictable The Sharp Edge of Silence will leave you speechless. A multiple layered, well plotted and nuanced book that claws it's way in to your heart and mind.

A well written book about a subject that the author is clearly passionate about,

The characters are relatable and believable.

It touches on so many subjects that are so relevant right now and I really enjoyed the subject matter.

Who will you be at Lycroft Phelps School?

Charlotte, star ballet dancer, straight A student and girlfriend of the star rower believes in what the school has to offer. Max a scholarship student joins the rowing team to gain popularity and get the girl of his dreams. Quinn 'Q' a sixth generation legacy student is dealing with the aftermath of being sexually assaulted at the summer send off dance and having to watch her attacker live a normal life whilst hers is crumbling. So she decides her attacker must die. But the school is keeping many dark secrets and will stop at nothing to keep them hidden from the public.

This was such a good and well written story based on an experience by the author herself the very sensitive topic was handled extremely well. This handles rape culture, misogyny and raw trauma very well and with it being YA there was nothing too graphic either.
This is written in the perspectives of Q, Charlotte and Max and you watch as the story progresses as they all interconnect to get justice for Quinn and expose the school secrets.
Each character was very well written and the friendships were great too. I highly, highly recommend this.

I was addicted to this book but reading very slowly because of the subject matter. Is it unhealthy how much I want Q to go through with her plan? I would enjoy the whole book just being… that but it’s also predicable (since it’s YA) that there will be no gruesome murder and I know such things aren’t healthy coping mechanisms.

But this was very calmly and quietly good. Brilliantly written. Not too painful but also well done. I would definitely recommend.
I liked all of the main characters and it is so easy to get swept along with all of their narratives.

And I think, quite realistic? Kind of depressingly so, in that it didn’t leave me elated, it just left me with a feeling that it all could have happened. All is happening. Over and over again.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

There have been a few books over the past couple of years that deal with the issue of campus sexual violence and assault, but this is the first one I've read that truly tries to grapple with the aftermath. The campus response once they're actually told about Quinn's rape is brought to the fore and examined with consequences, which is great, and the book also deals with the environment of toxic masculinity and misogyny that results in these assaults. Otherwise the mix of genres is a bit confusing at times, but overall a good addition to the literature in this area.