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onlyadream223's review
5.0
The Coldest Winter Ever is a re-read for me. I first read this while in High School and remember devouring the pages in 24 hours. Now as an adult, I see it in a completely different light. I still think that this is a great book for teenagers to read.
As an adult, I appreciated the way in which it was written. The language obviously does not sit well, but as a girl that grew up in the Bronx, I understand why it needed to be stated that way. I noticed the emphasis Sister Soulja placed on the bridges Winter burned and how eventually lead her to where it did.
After waiting for ages for the 2nd part of this story, I can't wait to see what happens next.
As an adult, I appreciated the way in which it was written. The language obviously does not sit well, but as a girl that grew up in the Bronx, I understand why it needed to be stated that way. I noticed the emphasis Sister Soulja placed on the bridges Winter burned and how eventually lead her to where it did.
After waiting for ages for the 2nd part of this story, I can't wait to see what happens next.
kiriahkache's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-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
3.0
I’m a reader, always have been. Let me just say that.
I think if I had read this book back when I was a teenager I would feel differently but reading this book as an "adult" was a lot. It was a good book, I was intrigued and interested the entire time, but idk. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I know, I know, you are probably judging me because I didn't read this book when it initially came out, but over 20 years later I did get a chance to and I completely understand why there is such a big hype when it was released and why people felt so strongly about it.
The Coldest Winter Ever:
Winter got on my damn nerves. I ain’t never met (read about) nobody as spoiled, entitled and self centered as she was. She got on my nerves immediately.
Winter Santiaga, a privileged and troubled teenager, constantly strives to maintain her social status throughout the novel. Growing up in the ghetto with a drug kingpin father who spoils her, she later moves to a wealthy suburban area. However, feeling isolated, she returns to the ghetto to boast about her affluent lifestyle. Winter’s want for extravagant spending and her manipulation tactics, fueled by her looks and charisma, lead her down a destructive path.
The book primarily explores her issues with reckless spending and her obliviousness to its consequences, revealing her downfall only at the end. The story also reflects on the cyclical nature of life, evident when Winter’s sister falls into the same traps.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I hated the ending. It seemed rushed. Even though Winter was spoiled, she didn’t deserved that at the end.
I think if I had read this book back when I was a teenager I would feel differently but reading this book as an "adult" was a lot. It was a good book, I was intrigued and interested the entire time, but idk. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I know, I know, you are probably judging me because I didn't read this book when it initially came out, but over 20 years later I did get a chance to and I completely understand why there is such a big hype when it was released and why people felt so strongly about it.
The Coldest Winter Ever:
Winter got on my damn nerves. I ain’t never met (read about) nobody as spoiled, entitled and self centered as she was. She got on my nerves immediately.
Winter Santiaga, a privileged and troubled teenager, constantly strives to maintain her social status throughout the novel. Growing up in the ghetto with a drug kingpin father who spoils her, she later moves to a wealthy suburban area. However, feeling isolated, she returns to the ghetto to boast about her affluent lifestyle. Winter’s want for extravagant spending and her manipulation tactics, fueled by her looks and charisma, lead her down a destructive path.
The book primarily explores her issues with reckless spending and her obliviousness to its consequences, revealing her downfall only at the end. The story also reflects on the cyclical nature of life, evident when Winter’s sister falls into the same traps.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I hated the ending. It seemed rushed. Even though Winter was spoiled, she didn’t deserved that at the end.
bibliogal93's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
kathrinpassig's review against another edition
4.0
Wiedergelesen, weil ich rausfinden wollte, ob ich damals unaufmerksam gelesen habe oder ob das auch schon so eine Geschichte zur Erziehung der Leserinnen war wie "A Deeper Love Inside". War es, aber da hier erzählt wird, wie man es nicht machen soll, liest es sich weniger albern als die Geschichte vom Pfad der Tugend, und es ist nach wie vor eine sehr kompetente Erzählung. Ich bleibe bei den vier Sternen von damals.
tahmeka's review against another edition
1.0
I thought this was such a great book when I was younger. Now: It's one part Sister Souljah's love letter to herself, one part hood lit. Hated it!
heregrim's review against another edition
5.0
This was very, very good. Although, all things considered, this was a foreign book for me as it explored an aspect of American life and culture that is far from my poor, rural, white upbringing. Still, the characters were exceptional and the story was compelling. I can see why this was on the Great American Read and it earned the spot on the list even if I feel that 98th place was much too low a spot for its finishing.
soulofzoe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shadylane_00's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0