This is the story of Quinn who is raped by one of the popular boys and top rower at school and ultimately about schools wanting to brush it under the carpet as they don't want any bad publicity.

It reminded me a bit of the Brock Turner case; a privileged middle class boy who took what he wanted without any consideration for the young woman involved.

A clever story told from 3 different characters, Quinn, Charlotte and Max. I wondered at first how they were connected but it ends in a very satisfying way

It's about entrenched rape culture and whilst this is fiction, these outdated ideas need to be aired in order to make it safer for all students

Book in frame : The Sharp Edge of Silence
Author : Cameron Kelly Rosenblum
My Rating : 4.5 / 5 ⭐
Goodreads Rating: 4.3 / 5 ⭐
Genre : YA contemporary feminism
Trigger warnings : Rape, Misogyny

Favourite Quote - “If men were sexually assaulted as often as women? We'd get violent. We'd get revenge. And you
can be damn sure we'd make the laws work for us. But women-girls-a lot of them just have to get over it and move on."

𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜:
This book. 💔

Highlighting the misogyny and toxic masculinity still prevalent in today’s age, and how peer pressure and the "boys will be boys" mentality wrecks havoc. The book has 3 POVs, which although a bit confusing at first, tie down neatly towards the end.

I loved the writing, and know that this book will haunt me for quite some time. Please read the trigger warnings before you pick this up as it is a difficult read at times.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK, for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

𝕱𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖁𝖊𝖗𝖉𝖎𝖈𝖙: A book that will leave you reeling and will stay with you after you've turned the last pages.

Trigger warnings: Rape, sexual assault, ,misogyny, self-harm.

The Sharp Edge of Silence is a YA novel with an urgent message. Through the viewpoints of three students at prestigious Lycroft Phelps, the schools toxic undertones become clearer and clearer.

Firstly, my favourite element of this book was probably the portrayal of female sisterhood. I felt like the writer really got the nuance of 'friendship after trauma' and how young women will hold each other up whilst struggling with their own reactions and the challenges of navigating complicated stories. I also felt like the writer was completely on the victims side, there wasn't pandering to the 'accused' as I have seen in other art exploring similar themes. That being said, I wanted the school to take more accountability and struggled with the way the teachers discussed the sexual assault in text messages in a fairly lax manner... I'd hope that safeguarding has gotten us past this type of insensitivity!

The book isn't a massive page-turner and is fairly slow-paced for YA, although I did feel there was a pick up at the end and I was keen to see how Charlotte, Q and Max would complete their stories. Overall, it was a solid four stars and I feel sure the teenagers I work with would get a lot from it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review and thanks to the writer for exploring an important topic!

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Sharp Edge of Silence
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Cameron Kelly Rosenblum
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: YA Contemporary Feminism
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 11th April 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5

Content Warning: Rape, Misogyny

”If men were sexually assaulted as often as women?” he said, the ice cubes from his drink tinkling against glass. “We’d get violent. We’d get revenge. And you can be damn sure we’d make the laws work for us. But women—girls—a lot of them just have to get over it and move on.”

I held back my tears a lot reading this, I now have a headache due to my efforts with clenched teeth, flushed cheeks, and wet eyes. But it was so worth it. The Sharp Edge of Silence is an emotionally stirring and gripping story with a multi POV that centers around the event of Quinn, our main character, being raped.

One of the biggest themes in this book is toxic masculinity, and this is demonstrated in both its aggressive and passive forms, which I loved. A man doesn’t have to be loud and rowdy, shouting ”I bet she wants to suck your dick!” to be misogynistic. A man can simply sit by and let comments and actions like this that feed into rape culture remain unchecked and socially acceptable to be implicit in toxic masculinity.

I found this difficult to read at parts. It’s so raw and visceral in its delivery, providing a profound insight into the mind of a sexual assault survivor, that sometimes it felt overwhelming to be in the mind of someone who was processing and struggling with trauma. It’s also more of a slow-to-medium pacing than fast paced as stated in the synopsis, however, despite these points, it’s the kind of book that I wanted to keep holding in my hands and reading, simply due to the sheer titillating hope of vindication.

The author note sets the tone at the beginning of this novel, it has an explicit content warning and reflects on the authors personal experiences that led to the making of this book. Although the contents of this book are fictional, it’s easy to see the strength and honesty of the author’s experiences throughout the story and how they guide Quinn in her development. One of the ideologies explored in this book is kintsugi, broken things being made into art, and I can see how this is a reflection of the authors reality; her soul breaking experiences leading to the making of this book. I am thankful that the author had the guts, emotional awareness, and compassion to themselves and others to create this book.

𝑲𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉 @ 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒉 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚
🧚‍♀️🤍

A hard-hitting story that will have you in your emotions. This is actually a YA book but I found it an important read as an older adult. The book highlights the need to speak up and seek help if something abusive happens to you. The story runs across 3 stories until they all come together.

Another big thank you to @netgalley for another brilliant ARC.
A massive thank you to @ckellyrosebooks and @bonnierbooks_uk for the E book of The sharp edge of silence.

So this book comes with a massive Trigger warning referring to Sexual assault.

When I started this book I wasn't sure what to think however I became so emotionally invested in Charlotte, Q and Hannah. This was a well thought out book that takes such a delicate subject and makes you think about it in such a different way.
This was such an easy 4 stars for me. Respectful and engaging all through out.

This book is out April 11th. And I for one can't wait to buy my own copy.

#netgalley #newtonetgalley #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreads #ARCread #thesharpedgeofsilence

Oh Lord, I don't know what to say about this book.

Lycroft Phelps is a prestigious boarding school that is used as a jumping off point to the Ivy League Universities and a place that opens doors to it's attendees. The story follows three characters: Charlotte, a dancer who has just become young choreographer of the year; Max, a science nerd attending Lycroft on a hard won scholarship. and Q, a young woman with a dark secret.

We learn early on that Q was raped during the Summer Send off dance at the end of the previous school year. She has told her family and her family lawyer and all have advised her that because she didn't fight back or seek help on the night in question there is no proof that she was raped so her rapist will get away with his crime. Her rapist is Colin, star of the school rowing team and on course for a place at Yale University. Q is deeply traumatised by her experience and vows to get her own back on Colin by killing him.

Charlotte is dating Seb, one of Colin's fellow rowers and on course for a place at Princeton University. Charlotte is in thrall to Seb and hangs on his every word and whim but wonders why he isn't interested in taking their relationship to the next level. Charlotte battles jealousy when she starts receiving mysterious notes suggesting that Seb is cheating on her with one of the other dancers.

Max is an all round good guy who is partnered with Colin for a Science project. He resents having to do all the hard work while Colin doesn't contribute much to the shared project. Max's life changes when the rowing team Cox is suspended from school for plagiarism and someone suggests that he would be a good replacement as he is both small, light and smart. Max soon gets caught up in the camaraderie, and laddishness, of the team and before long is being invited to join Lycroft's very own secret boy society, Slycroft.

Slycroft proves to be a misogynistic, and down right vile, group for the boys perceived as cool (I remain unsure as to why Max was invited to join as he doesn't seem to bring much to the party except to work as a way for the girls to get the information they need to bring the group down).

The book is quite slow moving and seems to take ages going round and round as we view some events from each of the characters points of view - eg, Charlotte and Max both experience something from different places and they both tell us what happens, but we also get the point of view of Q who was the one doing the thing that the other two see. This is both tedious and a bit boring and lends nothing to the story at all.

There was so much scope for good in this book but I felt that the story missed it's mark by quite some distance. It is a pity that the characters felt like stereotypes and I think the idea of the boarding school will not connect with most young people who read this. Yes, by all means, focus on rape culture within schools but I felt that the perpetrators were barely held accountable for their actions - including the teachers!

On the whole I didn't really enjoy it, found it quite hard going due to pacing and repetition of events and was left feeling disappointed. I am sure there are books out there that handle this topic better than this one does.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s taken me a few days to write this review, to properly take in this important, timely story so well told by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum. I’ve now come to the conclusion that a copy of The Sharp Edge of Silence should be a permanent fixture in every school and college, in the hopes that just one person will read it and learn from it.

The Sharp Edge of Silence is a fictional account of sexual assault and its aftermath for several students at an elite private school, but it’s also very much rooted in fact—both the author’s and, unfortunately, the modern world we live in. Q, Charlotte, and Max’s lives intertwine in the worst of ways, but together they help each other to heal and change the narrative surrounding rape culture and toxic masculinity.

This book is heartbreaking and visceral in its depictions of Q’s experience, but it’s ultimately hopeful, with a sharp edge of revenge to round things off. I loved it from start to finish; from the private school setting to the alternating voices of each chapter, I was instantly hooked and completely invested in where the story would ultimately lead.

I wasn’t at all disappointed with its satisfying conclusion, I just wish books like this weren’t a reality for so many people. To shine a light on how and why stories like this continue to happen in real life is of paramount importance, and books like this have the ability to really make a difference. An essential read for teenagers and young adults everywhere, The Sharp Edge of Silence is a book I won’t be forgetting anytime soon, and I hope it finds its intended audience.

I really enjoyed this. The story unfolds so cleverly between the 3 main characters points of view, encouraging the reader to keep guessing what is going to happen next. At the heart of the book is a difficult issue of sexual assault, which some readers may find difficult, but I feel it's an important story to tell. It highlights the importance of speaking up, seeking help, of challenging rape culture. It also shows the importance of friendship and being there for others, of trusting your instincts and feelings. I loved how the story of the 3 main characters ran alongside each other, providing different perspectives until they intersect dramatically as the story comes to its climax. It's definitely a story that will stay with me for quite some time.

Not for me personally as I didn’t click with it but I can see the message it is trying to share and the audience I could sell it to.

The blurb drew me in; I was promised a ‘gripping thriller…’ among other things but sadly, this book did not deliver.

The story is set at an elite boarding school and is about Q who is seeking revenge against the boy who sexually assaulted her. Apart from Q's point of view, part of the story is told from the points of view of two other students (Max and Charlotte) whose lives collide with Qs in different ways and are also going through challenges of their own at the school.

I don’t mind a drawn out story if the plot is steadily being developed. Unfortunately, there was so much content in this book I would take out. For the first 70% or so, I wasn’t sure what Charlotte’s and Max’s POVs were adding to the story and honestly left me feeling bored at times. It eventually came together in the last 30% of the book but there wasn’t enough there to make this work for me, which is a shame. Considering the topic, this could have been a very interesting story if executed differently.

In the end, I was left feeling like this was a book about exposing the actions of a ‘few bad apples’ instead of a narrative about brave people at different levels of the school ecosystem (students, administrators, trustees) who put their heads above the parapet to challenge and expose the acceptance of systemic toxic masculinity and rape culture despite the efforts of bad actors to thwart them at every turn.

Overall, I think this book did an excellent job of portraying all the different emotions Q was going through as she tried to find ways to cope with the aftermath of her assault. Many of her chapters in the book were heartbreaking and moving.

This was a difficult read for a variety of reasons. I don’t often read other Netgalley members’ reviews, but I have done in this instance to gauge how my own response fits.

I had really high expectations for this novel, and actually now that I have come to the end, I wasn’t disappointed. It’s explosive and challenging and uncomfortable - everything I wanted it to be.

Perhaps where it falls down is, for me, the first quarter. It would have been easy to put it down in this section and give up, but past this point the author becomes more comfortable with the characters and they take over the story, making it absolutely power through the rest of the tale.

Unquestionably one to read. If you find it difficult, keep on going - something magic happens.

Urgh. Okay part of this was that my expectations were at fault (I thought it would be more towards dark academia). Part of it was that this deals with sexual assault in a way that I found detrimental to the topic. This book is 200 pages longer than it needs to be and the structure is appalling. The writing style is also very jarring. I don’t doubt that this is intended to be a clever take on many issues of moment that require further discussion, but style got the better of substance here. Honestly, for a more reasonable look at sexual assault and revenge, Moira Fowley Doyles Spellbook of the lost and found is far better and more nuanced.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Just.. Wow. This book had my emotions all over the place, and despite the dark and unsettling themes discussed within, I couldn’t put this one down and finished it within a few days. Although a YA book, I think this would be suited to older teens and mature readers, as some parts are upsetting and could be triggering to people who have experienced similar trauma. All of the characters are flawed in some way or another, which makes for interesting and deep reading - and I enjoyed the writing style of this book throughout. I enjoyed how the main three characters stories come together in the end, and how serious themes such as misogyny, rape culture, and consent and explored in thought provoking ways.

I would definitely read more of this authors work, and will be recommending this to others for sure.

The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

A hard hitting book , in fact , one of the most challenging ones I thinkI've ever read .
It's not a book you can say you enjoyed , but it is a book that everyone should read , especially those with teenage children.
Totally believable and whilst tragic in its content , a must read.

I really didn't like this book!
I found Rosenblum's writing style really jarring. It just didn't make much sense, and I couldn't quite understand why the writing style didn't sit with me - i found it very difficult.

Not for me.

Our ongoing fascination with posh US boarding schools continues: and this novel's a welcome addition to the genre. I particularly like the way we have no idea of what will actually *happen* and whether the grimly tragic note of the beginning will continue or change. Give it a go. I loved it.

Whilst I understand the importance of this book and how it highlights sexual assault, I only made it to 8% in the book and didn’t finish.
It was too slow for me, I prefer a more fast paced novel.
I applaud the author for writing this, but I just couldn’t get into it.

Wow! A scarily timely portrayal of the toxic masculinity that normalises sexual assault in many young people’s lives. I felt Q’s burning anger at the seeming untouchability of her attacker and her desire to take him down. The school culture was depressingly unsurprising. I devoured this in one sitting and will be recommending to my students through their trembly booklist. I just hope it makes one stop and think!

I applaud what this book does in highlighting toxic masculinity and sexual assault. Unfortunately, the plot felt too convoluted for me to maintain interest. I tried to stick with it because the subject matter is so important. I struggled. My rating reflects the importance of the subject matter and the author's intentions.