Scan barcode
elisa26's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Addiction, Abortion, and Cursing
Minor: Abortion and Body shaming
doomluz's review
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Abortion, Biphobia, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Drug abuse, Rape, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexism
briasmith's review
- 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
Graphic: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Drug use, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia
eggbreadcryptid's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Misogyny, Gun violence, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Drug abuse
ellekhupe's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gun violence
Moderate: Abortion, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
hellalibrary's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Violence