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blissfulbrii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sister Souljah did it! The Coldest Winter Ever was a very realistic and intriguing read. Main character Winter Santiaga got on my nerves so bad lol but I understand she was written to be naive and immature with the arrogance stemming from her lavish lifestyle from her Father’s work, ultimately being humbled by life, despite the area she lived in.
Honestly I have much RESPECT for the author Sister Souljah for including in this book edition a THOROUGH READ of discussion questions aimed for the author as she took the reader down the thought process and creative direction of the intricate decisions she made and also I thought the character analysis was very interesting. I will be reading more!
Honestly I have much RESPECT for the author Sister Souljah for including in this book edition a THOROUGH READ of discussion questions aimed for the author as she took the reader down the thought process and creative direction of the intricate decisions she made and also I thought the character analysis was very interesting. I will be reading more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
ciaobellareads's review against another edition
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
bottrill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction and Misogyny
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
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
uglypopcorn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, and Abortion
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
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.
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.
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 against another edition
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
hellalibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Considered an urban classic, this was my first time reading The Coldest Winter Ever and, I’ve got to say, it was WILD but I really enjoyed it! It’s fast and the story of Winter Santiaga completely sucked me in.
Sister Souljah has delivered a terrific story that delves deep into greed, drugs, the prison system, rape, homelessness, abandonment, generational cycles/curses, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, teen pregnancy, and ties it all to the Black community.
Winter is the daughter of Ricky Santiaga, drug king pin of Brooklyn, and she is the SHIT. Money, clothes, cars, bling, Winter has it all and isn’t afraid to show it off. She’s self-absorbed, arrogant, greedy, and truly unlikeable. But I also kind of felt bad for her? I know, I know, but I can’t help it!
After her father is sent to jail, and her family falls apart, Winter has to learn how to survive on her own, and she does so by hustling her way through various schemes in order to become a drug queen. Guess what happens?
What I also found interesting was how Sister Souljah wrote herself into the book, the voice of reason, the conscious that we all want Winter to develop. Asking questions like, what are your values? What’s more important, money or community?
This edition I read, also included some character analyses and a discussion with Sister Souljah where she explains her reasons for writing the book.
I highly recommend this teaching novel, because behind the bling, there are some lessons buried within.
Sister Souljah has delivered a terrific story that delves deep into greed, drugs, the prison system, rape, homelessness, abandonment, generational cycles/curses, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, teen pregnancy, and ties it all to the Black community.
Winter is the daughter of Ricky Santiaga, drug king pin of Brooklyn, and she is the SHIT. Money, clothes, cars, bling, Winter has it all and isn’t afraid to show it off. She’s self-absorbed, arrogant, greedy, and truly unlikeable. But I also kind of felt bad for her? I know, I know, but I can’t help it!
After her father is sent to jail, and her family falls apart, Winter has to learn how to survive on her own, and she does so by hustling her way through various schemes in order to become a drug queen. Guess what happens?
What I also found interesting was how Sister Souljah wrote herself into the book, the voice of reason, the conscious that we all want Winter to develop. Asking questions like, what are your values? What’s more important, money or community?
This edition I read, also included some character analyses and a discussion with Sister Souljah where she explains her reasons for writing the book.
I highly recommend this teaching novel, because behind the bling, there are some lessons buried within.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Violence
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