The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum Review

Title: The Sharp Edge of Silence

Author: Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

Genre: YA Mystery/ Thriller

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Pages: 496

Release Date: 11 April 2023

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Hello fellow book lovers! Today I'm back with my review for The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum, a heart wrenchingly poignant, unflinchingly raw and emotional portrayal of rape culture and toxic masculinity. It's by no means an easy read (and I do suggest checking TWs beforehand) but it’s definitely a worth while one!

Synopsis

Students at Lycroft Phelps are marked for success.

As a straight-A student and girlfriend of the school's star rower, Charlotte believes in what the school has to offer. Meanwhile, scholarship student Max is struggling. Until he's asked to join the rowing team offering him popularity - but at what cost? Then there's Quinn, a sixth-generation legacy student, who should be able to lay claim to the school in a way others can't. Who instead must watch the boy who assaulted her continue to play at the top of the school's food chain. Only in the dead of night does Q realize the solution to her suffering: Colin Pearce must die.

But Lycroft Phelps has more than one dark secret at its heart, and as the three students uncover just how far the school will go to keep those ugly truths hidden, there's a lot more than reputation at stake...

Review

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, but with the 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.

Rating: 5 Stars

About The Author 

Cameron Kelly Rosenblum grew up in Connecticut. She studied English literature at Kenyon College and earned a master’s in education at Lesley University. Her time as a teacher and children’s librarian inspired her to write for young people. The Sharp Edge of Silence is her second novel. Cameron lives near Portland, Maine, with her husband, son, daughter, two dogs, and a cat.

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