Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

7 reviews

elisa26's review against another edition

reflective medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Sexual assault, and Abortion

Minor: Body shaming and Abortion

doomluz's review against another edition

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. 

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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

professorbadger's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A truly fantastic read, held back from 5 stars by a (purposely) unlikeable narrator, bouts of homophobia, and some questionable views on masculinity and femininity. I recommend reading, or at least skimming, the extra materials at the end of the book — lots of insight into the characters and their world and thoughts from Sister Souljah on the book and on readers’ reactions to it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Homophobia

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, Infidelity, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

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

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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 against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia

eggbreadcryptid's review against another edition

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. 
 

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Content Warnings

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

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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, and Murder