Karol Hoeffner

Set in New Orleans in 2005, this book is about a Mardi Gras baby name Camille Darveau whose parents got together on a Twelfth Night party in the Garden District and conceive her.

Camille is aptly named after a hurricane, and as one might expect, and this book is widely about her life prior to and after Hurricane Katrina.

We learn a lot about Camille in a little bit of time. She lives in an average house and her best friend Gina lives in a mansion. Camille's other bestie is Beano Benoit, a high school quarterback.

Camille spends time at Salon Baptiste as it's often an all-day affair for her to get her hair done. We learn that her hair is a touchy subject as is Camille's neighbor and biggest crush Antwone Despre. Unfortunately, Antwone has a girlfriend M (Emily).

When the winds started picking up across the Gulf a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans is issued but some people refused to evacuate while others had no financial means to leave.

After the hurricane hit, we learned that there are difficulties in search-and-rescue efforts as levees began breaking and flooding occurred.

As the novel progresses, we're aware of fragility and devastation. After the hurricane, Camille's interracial romance is halted as Antwone is lost. Camille takes comfort in having Mr. Oliver near and connects with spirits to learn more.

We find Camille is knee-deep in contending with the differences in her life which eventually includes acceptance and hope for a brighter future.

I received a copy of this book from Arden Izzo, Public Relations Manager, Farrow Communications.… (mehr)

DNF at 8%

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I had such high expectations for Knee Deep based on the synopsis, but as you can see, I barely made it through 17 pages of the book. Camille wasn't a likable character, and I thought her obsession with Antwone was sudden and not substantiated. Yes, she tells a story about him "coming to her rescue" after school one day, but they've had little-to-no interactions to indicate they have a connection beyond being friendly neighbors. I also didn't like that Camille seemed determined to break up Antwone's current relationship because she didn't think his girlfriend was "good enough" for him. Both of her friends (and apparently the entire student body) thought they were a perfect match. Regardless, it wasn't her business or her decision.

Additionally, some of the dialogue felt dated and somewhat offensive. I'm not sure if the author has personally experienced some of the things she put her character through (especially since the MC is biracial), but it honestly didn't read like she did. Examples:

1) "Mary Ellen was all over that like white on rice."
2) "...tight little braids close to my scalp in rows as straight as planted corn."
3) "I was not just plain old mad but burning, crazy mad, the kind that can land you in jail."
4) "I took a moment to revel in the fact that this big bully had been reduced to a sniveling, scared little piece of shit."
5) "I could have grabbed him and kissed him and done him right there in the middle of the front yard."

The last three quotes were things she said when she was 14, and her reactions simply weren't believable. I'm not saying a girl her age couldn't act that way, it just seems unlikely. It also felt like the author couldn't settle on an age, and the character's thoughts and actions reflected that.

The author also speaks from a Black woman's perspective, mostly when Camille is getting her hair done, and the narrative felt false. Like the author was trying too hard to seem knowledgeable about something she in reality knows very little about. When I have this many issues with a book early on, I know there's no point in trying to continue reading it. (★★☆☆☆)

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Knee Deep has the perfect ingredients, set in Louisiana with Mardi Gras, Voodoo, Hurricane Katrina, and young love. Unfortunately, while it has enjoyable moments, the story didn't live up to its promise for me.

The setting and feel of Louisiana's culture, along with the hint of voodoo magic and Camille's unique connection to the spirit world are where this story excels.

I never connected well with the characters or their emotions. Camille's sudden obsession with Antwone felt childish, seemingly more about her selfish desire to win him away from his long-time girlfriend than any sense of an actual relationship. This is especially true since Antwone showed no real interest in her. She also treated her best friends terribly, making her a difficult character to like. None of the other characters had much depth or personality.

Pacing is uneven. There are long sections of teenage drama where not much happens, and then short sections where a lot happens.

I never felt the urgency with Hurricane Katrina. The pieces were all there, but they just didn't come together for an emotional impact.

I think this story is a true YA novel, in that its appeal will be to younger teens.

*I received a review copy via Farrow Communications.*… (mehr)