Reviews with content warning for Sexism - The Sharp Edge of Silence

Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

5 reviews

olabainbridge's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s a very powerful message. What it talks through is a major problem in society that keeps going unnoticed and by reading it it sparks so much inside you. It’s a strong topic but definitely recommend.

Content Warnings

pianoplayer279's review

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I absolutely loved this book and almost cried at the end. An incredible story. Age 15+

Content Warnings

jessicasophie's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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!

It follows the alternating POVs of three students (Max, Charlotte and Quinn) and their experiences at Lycroft Phelps, an Elite American boarding school.

Max, is a scholarship student who struggles with fitting in amongst the elite student body and finds himself with an opportunity of a life time when offered a chance to join the school’s rowing team—which will finally allow him to experience life as one of the popular kids. But despite the allure of popularity and camaraderie, the toxic and misogynistic environment has Max wondering if any of it is really worth it.

Charlotte, the optimistic (and rather naive) straight-A student (who happens to be the girlfriend to the school’s star rower) believes entirely in all the good the school has to offer —and is grateful for the opportunity it gives her to make her dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer a reality. At first she unwilling to see past her own rose tinted glasses but when she starts receiving anonymous notes that suggest all is not well in her world, she sets out to find the truth.

And Quinn, the sixth generation legacy trying to cope with the trauma of being sexually assaulted whilst her abuser suffers no consequences for his actions. Deciding to take things into her own hands, Quinn plots to take down the boy who raped her and with a little help, bring to light just how far the school is willing to go to protect it’s own reputation.

This was such a powerful read that I must admit, I was a little hesitant to pick up at first given the darker (and deeply emotional) subject material.

But I’m soo glad I did, as Cameron Kelly Rosenblum’s exquisitely nuanced and detailed exploration into the emotional and psychological reactions and the long term healing process for sexual assault survivors was something I had seen explored in quite soo much detail before—and it’s something that I feel will definitely highlight just how truly life changing an experience it can be.

I have to admit Quinn was definitely the most compelling character for me, her inner turmoil, rage and PTSD was such an emotionally visceral experience to witness that I cried soo much whilst reading her chapters and I wanted to see her get the support and justice she needed to finally heal.

Inspired by Rosenblum’s own experiences of sexual assault, Quinn’s compelling and utterly heartbreakingly raw emotional journey took on a whole new layer of meaning for me and made her road to recovery even more poignant. Especially when she let people in and allowed them the help her.

I did also enjoy Charlotte as a character but her active choice not to ask questions for fear of upsetting the status quo did annoy me a little. Although, her initial naïveté did work perfectly as a metaphor for society as a whole when it comes to ignoring difficult situations and social issues,for fear of discovering something that may change the idealistic perspective that’s far safer (and easier) to believe in.

Likewise, Max’s situation was really analogous to peer pressure that can evolve from toxic masculinity in which sexism and sexual harassment is downplayed or ignored to avoid public ridicule. The build up to Max’s realisation was exceptionally well written and really gives readers (especially teen readers) a clear visual of how easy it can be to succumb to such pressure.

Given the subject material it’s not going to be for everyone (and I definitely advise checking the TWs beforehand.) But with its exquisitely on point social commentary and deeply compelling characters, The Sharp Edge of Silence is perfectly placed to kick start important conversations around rape culture and toxic masculinity with young readers.

A huge thank you to readers first and Hot Key Books for the finished copy.

Content Warnings

kazofbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

So much promise…

This books is one that I would only recommend to someone who doesn’t mind a long and drawn out story. I have heard many times that the story and anything that happens should be walking (moving the plot) and not talking (just filling space) and this story is too much talking.

The story -

Q wants to go rogue and get revenge on Colin after he stole her innocence and herself from her.

Max wants to be popular and ask Alex out but he doesn’t feel that he is good enough.

Charlotte wants to keep her relationship with Seb and make the most out of being young choreographer.

The execution -

This book is nearly 500 pages and has 17 chapters. However every chapter swaps POV multiple times and has to much filler content that is is repetitive and boring. I would say that it would be easy to cut a good 4 or 5 chapters and about 150 pages of just filler content.

Max and Charlotte’s POV is redundant until the last 40% of the book and makes it very difficult to get through. As you spend so much time not with Q is it hard to sympathise with her until she really breaks down and shares her story with someone.

My thoughts -

I wanted to DNF this and honestly had to keep fighting myself to make it through because I felt that it was an important enough message that I had to.

I love how realistic Q is and how raw the emotions are but it just isn’t enough for me to bump my rating from 2.5 stars.

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