In the novel, Souljah is the antithesis of Winter.

Both on and off the page, Sister Souljah is a prominent activist.

While the novel is a work of fiction, the author makes herself a nonfiction character. In this way, it’s clear that drugs, violence, and prison are inextricably linked in the novel. By the end of the novel, Winter ends up sentenced to 15 years in prison for helping her drug dealing and illegal gun selling boyfriend. Early in the novel, Winter’s mother is shot in the face by a rival drug-dealing gang, and her father is imprisoned. Inherent to the drug-dealing lifestyle comes a level of violence and the constant threat of prison time. Selling drugs is what makes Winter’s family wealthy, but it’s also what leads to her family’s ultimate downfall. Much urban fiction deals with themes such as prison, drugs, and violence, and The Coldest Winter Ever is no different. In this way, Winter’s sexuality is as much a focus of the novel as her family’s involvement in the dealing of drugs. As a result, much of the novel details Winter’s most intimate thoughts and moments with men she doesn’t shy away from describing men’s genitals or her physical sensations during sex. She is acutely aware of her sexuality and how best to use it to get what she wants.

Winter is best described as self-absorbed and highly carnal. Told from Winter’s point of view, the language in the novel often reflects hip hop and street culture colloquialisms.

The coldest winter ever