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hellalibrary's review
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
wordsbyclaire's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child death
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