Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

14 reviews

ciaobellareads's review

dark reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

I did not enjoy this book as much as I did when I read it while younger. Rereading it as an adult has given me a different perspective. I did not enjoy the main character at all. There were no redeemable qualities about Winter at all. She was super selfish and continued to make bad decisions based off her immaturity. I was also annoyed that the author included herself as a character in the book. I've always lived Midnight, hut I've also realized that I didn't care too much for him either. He wasn't as great as he thought himself to be. I am glad I read the book, but I don't think I'm interested in ever reading it again.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

gislaaugustin1016's review

reflective 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

dcooper99's review

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Abortion, and Alcohol

doomluz's review

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Winter is one of the most infuriating protagonists I’ve read, but she’s also not the worst. She’s selfish, but she knows what she wants. Though she's willing to use other people to get it. A raw story. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual harassment

Minor: Death of parent

thestudioussister's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse

amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Classism

Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Sexism

briasmith's review

adventurous emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia

eggbreadcryptid's review

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

 this book really got under my skin, and I truly want to write something about it because I think it deserves that. 
 It’s automatically engaging as Sister Souljah draws you into the surprisingly privileged and materialistic world of Winter Santiaga. There is an element of being overwhelmed and glamoured by her extravagant life that you also feel whiplash when her life is suddenly changed by tragedy and betrayal. 
 This book is overall a morality tale, a cautionary tale for anyone who should long for a life like Winter. I kept turning the page wondering and wondering when she would hit rock bottom what would make her change what would be the moment that would make her realize she needed to make real internal changes. I think that’s what really keeps the reader invested. 
 I admired Souljah’s ability to show the inevitability of repeating history if we don’t learn from the past. I also was surprised at how well she inserted herself (literally) into the story. It works because intentional or otherwise she comes of vulnerable and flawed, her wisdom which is lauded by other characters can’t seem to get through to Winter.

Her stoically heartless response to Midnight pouring his soul out to her in a letter chilled me almost as much as anything Winter did in the Story.

 
 I think this book is worth a read for everyone. There’s a lot to think about here if you agree or not. See CW though because this book has in my opinion many an outdated and harmful view on some things. 
 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

chloemia's review

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Abortion

ellekhupe's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gun violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, and Murder