The Black Air by Jennifer Lane - Book Review

Publication Date: 07th September 2023

Genre: Dark YA Drama  

4.25 Stars 

One Liner: Great atmosphere; suitable for older YA readers 

Long Byrne, located in rural Lancashire, is a small farmer’s town with centuries of history. It is where two young girls, Rose Ackroyd and Jane Hollingworth, were declared and hung as witches. The incident happened 400 years ago on the 31st of October 1623. 

When the college management decides to enact the event as a play, Caitlin Aspey, aka Cate, signs up as the scriptwriter. Cate and Tawny are inseparable besties. However, the arrival of Byrony changes the dynamics between the duo. 

Things get tense when loyalties shift and the play’s date inches closer. Of course, some strange events seem to be occurring in the town, though not many are aware of the impending danger. But is it real or imaginary? How can Cate handle the developments? 

The story comes in Cate’s first-person POV. 

(The GR blurb is different.) 

My Thoughts: 

According to the blurb, this is a ‘contemporary story with a dark mystery at its heart’. It is also a story of ‘obsession, mental health, disordered eating, the supernatural, and the lengths teenage girls will go to for the sake of all-consuming female friendships.’ 

I must say that the book justifies the description on many fronts. However, I wish the supernatural elements were introduced early. It comes at a point where I decided the book wasn’t a fantasy. I still wouldn’t categorize it as one, though. This would have upped the stakes, but I guess the contents would have become a little excessive for the target audience (YA). 

Still, I wouldn’t recommend this to the younger teens. Not because it’s scary (it’s not). But the writing is so good that the characters get under the skin. It may be too uncomfortable for young minds, especially if they aren’t used to such reads. (Also, check the triggers at the end of the review.) 

The first-person narration in Cate’s voice is haunting and touching (don't miss the author's note). We cannot help but be moved by what she’s going through. The touch of uncertainty makes us wonder what’s real and what’s her imagination. After all, Cate is in depression and survives solely on coffee. 

We see Tawny, Byrony, and Robyn (all the y’s can be confusing) through her eyes, which also shows us the flaws on both sides. Still, the characters seem surrealistically authentic. The obsession, fear, dependence, toxicity, defensive mechanism, loneliness, etc., comes across clearly. 

The setting is wonderfully dark and brooding, and hints of sinister presence throughout. The timing (autumn months) adds to the impact. It is atmospheric and takes the reader to Long Byrne. 

However, the book has its flaws. A few aspects remained unanswered. While I’m okay with some of them, I still don’t know (why Cate’s dad remarried. There seems to be no reason for this). 

The pacing is slow (which I expected) but gets a little too slow for the majority of the book. It’s not until we cross the 70% mark that things get really complex. I wouldn’t have minded if this came sooner. 

The adults in the book are unidimensional and cardboard cutouts. Maybe Miss Rallington, the teacher, is the only one who comes close to having a decent presence (though there isn’t much to her personality either). If only the adults were more involved in their children’s lives… alas!  

The book deals with many topics like mental health, grief, absent parents, bullying, toxic and obsessive friendships, witch trials, etc. However, most of them are seamlessly woven together to present a compelling narrative. The ending is realistic and hopeful – the best we can expect under the circumstances. 

To summarize, The Black Air is a haunting and atmospheric tale where past and present collide in a small town obsessed with witches. It is slow-paced but worth a read (when you are in the right mood). 

Thank you, NetGalley and UCLAN Publishing, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheBlackAir 

TW: Coping with the death of a parent, suicide attempt, eating disorder, toxic same-gender, friendship, depression, mental illness, unaddressed grief, animal death (not graphic), and bullying. 

***

P.S.: The cover is so subtly done! I saw it on full screen to see the elements silhouetted in the face. Wonderful!