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The Black Air
Who can say what’s real, what’s not, and what should stay buried deep inside your head? The legend of the Long Byrne Witches has haunted the village for 400 years. But when beautiful, Bryony Hollingworth arrives at school, everyone starts talking. Who is she? And why has she mysteriously arrived before the anniversary of the witches' deaths?
312 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Lane
6 books58 followersJennifer Lane is an author and freelance writer. She has written for Vogue, The Week, Dazed, BBC, Wildlife Trusts, and RSPB to encourage people to get outdoors and explore nature in order to de-stress their lives.
Her book The Wheel, on her year exploring Pagan practices and reconnecting with nature, was published by September Publishing (2021). Since then, she has also written The Witch's Survival Guide (2023), The Black Air (2023) and The Second-Hand Boy (2024). In June 2018, she won a Northern Writers’ Award for her children’s fiction which looks at destigmatising mental health issues for a younger audience. She is represented by Charlotte Atyeo at Charlie Campbell Literary Agents.
Her next book, a work of adult non-fiction, will be published in September 2025.
Her book The Wheel, on her year exploring Pagan practices and reconnecting with nature, was published by September Publishing (2021). Since then, she has also written The Witch's Survival Guide (2023), The Black Air (2023) and The Second-Hand Boy (2024). In June 2018, she won a Northern Writers’ Award for her children’s fiction which looks at destigmatising mental health issues for a younger audience. She is represented by Charlotte Atyeo at Charlie Campbell Literary Agents.
Her next book, a work of adult non-fiction, will be published in September 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 23, 2023
In a Nutshell: An atmospheric YA novel with toxic friendships and witchy histories. Takes a bit too long to get going. Pretty good overall, though it could have used some elements even better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 I loved the setting of Long Byrne, with its dark history of witch killings and its current obsession with witchy lore. The atmosphere of the small town, especially of its mysterious moors, is written vividly.
😍 There are four young girls at the helm of this story: Cate, Tawny, Bryony, and Tawny’s younger sister Robyn. Each of these is a layered character (surprisingly so for a YA novel) and isn’t portrayed as flawless. They have their charms and their shortcomings.
😍 The plot is also good, with the intermingling of the past and the present coming out well through the play and the players.
😍 The story covers several tough themes such as depression, toxic friendships, parental issues, grief, and suicide. Most of the themes aren’t written over the top. The topic is raised, but the hints are subtle. For instance, we get a sense of one character’s depression only much later without realising the reason for her eating issues. Her mental deterioration is such that we don’t know if her trauma is causing her situational reaction, or vice versa, or if it is a vicious loop feeding into each other. Nicely done!
😍 The author’s note at the end is quite interesting. I loved how she used the book as a way of resolving her own issues. Read it to know more.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 There are minor supernatural elements scattered throughout the story, but the actual witchy content comes up only in the final quarter. I wish the eerie stuff had receiving more prominence in the plot. The main story is more about friendship struggles than anything else. Though this is handled well, it is not what I read the story for.
😐 There seem to be some Sapphic feelings between Cate and Tawny, at least from Cate’s side. Though this is hinted, it is never explored. I am not sure why the clues were provided in the first place if they weren’t intended to be brought out in the open even until the end. However, the play handled this topic well.
Bookish Nays:
😟 As is typical for a YA novel, all the adults in the book are idiots. No parent or teacher is shown as having much understanding or empathy until the final “group hug” resolution. I am really fed up of this approach. YA novels shouldn’t establish a breach between adults and its younger readers, but rather, ensure that its readers know that they can (usually) rely on adults for guidance when needed. This self-centred, “lone warrior” approach doesn’t benefit anyone. Moreover, the character detailing of the adults is quite incomplete. We never know why/how Cate’s dad remarried, or why he allows his college-going daughter to handle the whole farm on her own when he was the one who wanted to move there, or why her mom did what she did. This further alienates the adult characters from the readers.
(And please, ‘No one over forty should wear skin-tight anything.’ – Ouch! Judgemental much?)
😟 For a story with so much potential for thoughts and action, the pacing is really slow. Most of the book goes in the build-up. The final 25% or so is the only one where we actually see great action. But this is also not perfect, as the resolution is too quick and too easy. Moreover, one particular thread is left unfinished. I am not sure if this is because of an intended sequel, but it left me disappointed.
All in all, despite some scope for finetuning, this is still a pretty interesting YA story. It is a great attempt for a debut work, with its atmosphere and storyline being the highlights.
Recommended to YA mystery readers who would love a dash of witchy paranormal added to a dark plot with intense themes. That said, the themes and some of the incidents are too intense for younger YAs. The presence of cuss words also makes it a red flag for the younger YA segment. Only for the 16+ age group, then.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to UCLan Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Black Air”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Long Byrne is a town with a dark history. 400 years ago, two sixteen-year-old girls Rose Ackroyd and Jane Hollingworth were declared “witches” and hanged.
To commemorate the grim occasion, the college Cate attends is planning to put up a play about the girls. As a farm girl who loves to write and is passionate about the topic of witches, Cate immediately signs up as the scriptwriter, with her talented best friend Tawny auditioning for an acting part. But when new student Bryony also gets an acting part and becomes too close to Tawny, Cate begins to question her intentions. Add in some strange, inexplicable occurrences, and Cate isn’t sure whom to trust, including her own senses.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Cate, with some witchy excerpts from books about Long Byrne at the end of most chapters.
Bookish Yays:
😍 I loved the setting of Long Byrne, with its dark history of witch killings and its current obsession with witchy lore. The atmosphere of the small town, especially of its mysterious moors, is written vividly.
😍 There are four young girls at the helm of this story: Cate, Tawny, Bryony, and Tawny’s younger sister Robyn. Each of these is a layered character (surprisingly so for a YA novel) and isn’t portrayed as flawless. They have their charms and their shortcomings.
😍 The plot is also good, with the intermingling of the past and the present coming out well through the play and the players.
😍 The story covers several tough themes such as depression, toxic friendships, parental issues, grief, and suicide. Most of the themes aren’t written over the top. The topic is raised, but the hints are subtle. For instance, we get a sense of one character’s depression only much later without realising the reason for her eating issues. Her mental deterioration is such that we don’t know if her trauma is causing her situational reaction, or vice versa, or if it is a vicious loop feeding into each other. Nicely done!
😍 The author’s note at the end is quite interesting. I loved how she used the book as a way of resolving her own issues. Read it to know more.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 There are minor supernatural elements scattered throughout the story, but the actual witchy content comes up only in the final quarter. I wish the eerie stuff had receiving more prominence in the plot. The main story is more about friendship struggles than anything else. Though this is handled well, it is not what I read the story for.
😐 There seem to be some Sapphic feelings between Cate and Tawny, at least from Cate’s side. Though this is hinted, it is never explored. I am not sure why the clues were provided in the first place if they weren’t intended to be brought out in the open even until the end. However, the play handled this topic well.
Bookish Nays:
😟 As is typical for a YA novel, all the adults in the book are idiots. No parent or teacher is shown as having much understanding or empathy until the final “group hug” resolution. I am really fed up of this approach. YA novels shouldn’t establish a breach between adults and its younger readers, but rather, ensure that its readers know that they can (usually) rely on adults for guidance when needed. This self-centred, “lone warrior” approach doesn’t benefit anyone. Moreover, the character detailing of the adults is quite incomplete. We never know why/how Cate’s dad remarried, or why he allows his college-going daughter to handle the whole farm on her own when he was the one who wanted to move there, or why her mom did what she did. This further alienates the adult characters from the readers.
(And please, ‘No one over forty should wear skin-tight anything.’ – Ouch! Judgemental much?)
😟 For a story with so much potential for thoughts and action, the pacing is really slow. Most of the book goes in the build-up. The final 25% or so is the only one where we actually see great action. But this is also not perfect, as the resolution is too quick and too easy. Moreover, one particular thread is left unfinished. I am not sure if this is because of an intended sequel, but it left me disappointed.
All in all, despite some scope for finetuning, this is still a pretty interesting YA story. It is a great attempt for a debut work, with its atmosphere and storyline being the highlights.
Recommended to YA mystery readers who would love a dash of witchy paranormal added to a dark plot with intense themes. That said, the themes and some of the incidents are too intense for younger YAs. The presence of cuss words also makes it a red flag for the younger YA segment. Only for the 16+ age group, then.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to UCLan Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Black Air”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
August 27, 2023
Publication date: 07th Sep 2023
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 with other information in the form of reports.
(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 .
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. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheBlackAir
***
P.S.: The cover is so subtly done! I saw it on full screen to see the elements silhouetted in the face. Wonderful!
***
TW:
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 with other information in the form of reports.
(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 .
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. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheBlackAir
***
P.S.: The cover is so subtly done! I saw it on full screen to see the elements silhouetted in the face. Wonderful!
***
TW:
September 20, 2023
this book is DARK dark on a whole other level than i’ve ever read in a young adult!
i really enjoyed a lot of things about this book! at the point of reading i’m in the year above the characters so the dialogue felt real and the characters were relatable.
i really like the school setting and the focus on friendships and witches. fun themes = fun time reading!
the only thing that frustrated me was the very (unfortunately) realistic miscommunication between the friends. it’s understandable but it was also paining me the way they would argue and never resolve. i understand why is had to happen and how it affects the story - it felt so alike to cate’s portrayal of rose and jane in the play - but frustrated me nonetheless.
also wish the author explored cate’s sexuality more, as there was very obvious connotations of her being attracted to women, but nothing ever came of that - as if cate was in denial or struggling to accept that and then that storyline never progressed. in my head, that storyline progresses in the last scenes.
i really enjoyed a lot of things about this book! at the point of reading i’m in the year above the characters so the dialogue felt real and the characters were relatable.
i really like the school setting and the focus on friendships and witches. fun themes = fun time reading!
the only thing that frustrated me was the very (unfortunately) realistic miscommunication between the friends. it’s understandable but it was also paining me the way they would argue and never resolve. i understand why is had to happen and how it affects the story - it felt so alike to cate’s portrayal of rose and jane in the play - but frustrated me nonetheless.
also wish the author explored cate’s sexuality more, as there was very obvious connotations of her being attracted to women, but nothing ever came of that - as if cate was in denial or struggling to accept that and then that storyline never progressed. in my head, that storyline progresses in the last scenes.
August 27, 2023
Absolutely adored this magical story, wrapped in a mysterious and often almost isolating setting, with friendships, family and feminism at its heart. It's an emotionally charged story of self-discovery with almost poetic writing and stunning imagery, with vibes of Practical Magic and The Craft.
August 10, 2023
In a remote part of rural Lancashire, a village prepares to celebrate Halloween and the 400th anniversary of the Long Byrnes witches' death. History lies heavy of the inhabitants, particulary 16 year-old Cate and her friends. But who's to know what's real or not, what's the result of ancient trauma?
I enjoyed reading The Black Air. The setting is appropriately wild and slightly claustrophobic, the characters mostly engaging. I liked the voice of the main character and narrator, Cate, revealing little by little the struggles she's facing with her mental health, largely due to past trauma - a good example of an unreliable narrator actually!
I was disappointed that the story seems to embrace the trope of witches either as girls/women possessed by the devil or mentally unstable young girls. The plot and character motivations also get a bt confused and confusing at times.
But all in all a good read, tense, as wild as the moors and extremely touching in its honest account of Cate's deteriorating mental health.
I enjoyed reading The Black Air. The setting is appropriately wild and slightly claustrophobic, the characters mostly engaging. I liked the voice of the main character and narrator, Cate, revealing little by little the struggles she's facing with her mental health, largely due to past trauma - a good example of an unreliable narrator actually!
I was disappointed that the story seems to embrace the trope of witches either as girls/women possessed by the devil or mentally unstable young girls. The plot and character motivations also get a bt confused and confusing at times.
But all in all a good read, tense, as wild as the moors and extremely touching in its honest account of Cate's deteriorating mental health.
June 15, 2023
The Black Air
This book has been consuming me for the past month. It’s a sapphic, witchy YA that brings to mind elements of The Craft and Practical Magic (sold already?) - but more than that, this is a story of girlhood obsession, mental health, trauma and the ache to belong. The emotions of our heroine, Cate, bleed from the page, so that the reader feels every knot in the stomach, and every pang of forbidden desire. This is the kind of story my teenage self constantly yearned for.
Some elements of the plot are left ambiguous, which I think works fantastically with the themes of the book. Much like the stories of real witch trials gone by, we may never know whether sinister, unknown forces played a part in these events, or if it was all down to the wild brain chemistry of a deeply unwell, lovesick and grieving teenage girl. It may not even matter. The emotions are raw and palpable, and the fallout is spectacular.
I adore this book. I adore the characters, even if I hate them at times. I see a lot of myself in this, and I’m sure there are many people out there who will feel the same. I will be very confident in recommending this to any young woman who crosses my path (from a certain age - I’d definitely stick to older teens/young adults for this). The themes are universal, it delves deeply into topics which are, sadly, very rarely talked about (especially amongst the demographic most likely to be affected), and it carries a beautiful message of love, acceptance and hope.
Also this would make a spectacular mini series. As long as they don’t water it down. Now please excuse me while I go have a little cry over some hot chocolate.
This book has been consuming me for the past month. It’s a sapphic, witchy YA that brings to mind elements of The Craft and Practical Magic (sold already?) - but more than that, this is a story of girlhood obsession, mental health, trauma and the ache to belong. The emotions of our heroine, Cate, bleed from the page, so that the reader feels every knot in the stomach, and every pang of forbidden desire. This is the kind of story my teenage self constantly yearned for.
Some elements of the plot are left ambiguous, which I think works fantastically with the themes of the book. Much like the stories of real witch trials gone by, we may never know whether sinister, unknown forces played a part in these events, or if it was all down to the wild brain chemistry of a deeply unwell, lovesick and grieving teenage girl. It may not even matter. The emotions are raw and palpable, and the fallout is spectacular.
I adore this book. I adore the characters, even if I hate them at times. I see a lot of myself in this, and I’m sure there are many people out there who will feel the same. I will be very confident in recommending this to any young woman who crosses my path (from a certain age - I’d definitely stick to older teens/young adults for this). The themes are universal, it delves deeply into topics which are, sadly, very rarely talked about (especially amongst the demographic most likely to be affected), and it carries a beautiful message of love, acceptance and hope.
Also this would make a spectacular mini series. As long as they don’t water it down. Now please excuse me while I go have a little cry over some hot chocolate.
September 17, 2023
I fell in love with the cover and then I fell in love with this story: a bit disturbing at times, atmospheric, and dark
Great world building and character developed, a twisty and fast paced plot
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great world building and character developed, a twisty and fast paced plot
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 25, 2023
Book Review 📚
The Black Air by Jennifer Lane - 4.5/5 ⭐
Like every book, I picked this up based on it's cover. Yes, I judge a book by its cover - simply because I love to be surprised. And let me tell you, I was blown away. The story is extraordinarily beautiful.
I had a clue that there was some make believe aspects, but the blurb on the cover lead me to think it was more thriller. That was a mistake. It's a witch/fantasy/YA. It was phenomenal. It reminded me of Practical Magic and The Craft and they are both amazing films from my adolescent years so this book really made my day as it took my back to my younger years.
The emotions throughout this book are high! It's literal raw emotion with basically everything you're reading. It's beautifully done. I cannot put into enough words how much I enjoyed the plot in this book - following the witch trials and not knowing whether it's real or not but the aspect of it was amazing.
The characters were phenomenal. There were times I absolutely adored them and times where I hated them, but that's the magic of writing a brilliantly perceived character. Lane was so descriptive with her writing and made the characters come to life and expressed their emotions in such a riveting way. It was flawless.
It's such an empowering read with a focus on mental health, trauma and an overwhelming edge to belong! I felt this so much as an adult but my younger self could of done with a book like this. It's beyond words. It's fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and UCLan Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.
The Black Air by Jennifer Lane - 4.5/5 ⭐
Like every book, I picked this up based on it's cover. Yes, I judge a book by its cover - simply because I love to be surprised. And let me tell you, I was blown away. The story is extraordinarily beautiful.
I had a clue that there was some make believe aspects, but the blurb on the cover lead me to think it was more thriller. That was a mistake. It's a witch/fantasy/YA. It was phenomenal. It reminded me of Practical Magic and The Craft and they are both amazing films from my adolescent years so this book really made my day as it took my back to my younger years.
The emotions throughout this book are high! It's literal raw emotion with basically everything you're reading. It's beautifully done. I cannot put into enough words how much I enjoyed the plot in this book - following the witch trials and not knowing whether it's real or not but the aspect of it was amazing.
The characters were phenomenal. There were times I absolutely adored them and times where I hated them, but that's the magic of writing a brilliantly perceived character. Lane was so descriptive with her writing and made the characters come to life and expressed their emotions in such a riveting way. It was flawless.
It's such an empowering read with a focus on mental health, trauma and an overwhelming edge to belong! I felt this so much as an adult but my younger self could of done with a book like this. It's beyond words. It's fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and UCLan Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.
September 14, 2023
5 stars!
i have not stopped thinking about this book from the moment i picked it up, i haven’t devoured a book like this in so long. i was literally only putting it down at night because my eyes drooping were betraying me 🤣
this was engaging from the very first chapter and it didn’t lose momentum once throughout. the story was brilliant, pure magic! i pictured it all in my head like a movie, especially the location and scenery. i just fell in love with the story telling. i had such a soft spot for cate and tawnys friendship and seeing all that story unfold was soooooo gripping 🥲
this randomly caught my eye in my local bookstore and i read the blurb and it caught my attention immediately, i didn’t even read any reviews or look it up on goodreads. this is truly a magic little find and i’m so glad i’ve read it!
i cannot recommend this enough!!! and i will be seated for anything else Jennifer Lane publishes because WOW WOW WOWWWW!!!!
i have not stopped thinking about this book from the moment i picked it up, i haven’t devoured a book like this in so long. i was literally only putting it down at night because my eyes drooping were betraying me 🤣
this was engaging from the very first chapter and it didn’t lose momentum once throughout. the story was brilliant, pure magic! i pictured it all in my head like a movie, especially the location and scenery. i just fell in love with the story telling. i had such a soft spot for cate and tawnys friendship and seeing all that story unfold was soooooo gripping 🥲
this randomly caught my eye in my local bookstore and i read the blurb and it caught my attention immediately, i didn’t even read any reviews or look it up on goodreads. this is truly a magic little find and i’m so glad i’ve read it!
i cannot recommend this enough!!! and i will be seated for anything else Jennifer Lane publishes because WOW WOW WOWWWW!!!!
August 29, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and UCLan Publishing for this eCopy to review
I found The Black Air interesting to read, how historical events can still affect the present day. The story follows Cate as she deals with the death of her mother, her father's new marriage and fitting in at school. It soon becomes apparent that she is not very well, she does not eat or sleep and has an unhealthy interest in the local history of a group of young women being hanged as witches.
With the arrival of Bryony Cate's friendship with Tawny is threatened and Cate's illnesses gets much worse. Full of emotion and drama (on and off stage) this was a gripping take on the subject of witches. The moor is described very vividly full of dark brooding atmosphere
I found The Black Air interesting to read, how historical events can still affect the present day. The story follows Cate as she deals with the death of her mother, her father's new marriage and fitting in at school. It soon becomes apparent that she is not very well, she does not eat or sleep and has an unhealthy interest in the local history of a group of young women being hanged as witches.
With the arrival of Bryony Cate's friendship with Tawny is threatened and Cate's illnesses gets much worse. Full of emotion and drama (on and off stage) this was a gripping take on the subject of witches. The moor is described very vividly full of dark brooding atmosphere
September 4, 2023
Enjoyed this so much. Having loved The Wheel and The Witch's Survival Guide by the author, I was ready for her first fiction.
Witchcraft, history, passion, friendship, loss and mental health are fused with great characters, funny lines, dark atmosphere and building tension.
It would look great on the big screen too.
Witchcraft, history, passion, friendship, loss and mental health are fused with great characters, funny lines, dark atmosphere and building tension.
It would look great on the big screen too.
September 13, 2023
I’d read Jennifer’s shopping list if she published it tbh
July 26, 2023
The Black Air captures perfectly the intensity of teenage friendship in a small rural town. Beautifully written, raw, gripping and eerie – this is UKYA at its very best.
Narrated by sixteen-year-old Cate Aspey, who moved to Long Byrne following her mother’s death a few years earlier, the plot centres around Cate’s fragile psychological state and her friendship with her best friend Tawny: beautiful, charismatic and bold.
Cate is a wonderfully unreliable narrator, dry and brittle, but the bone-deep damage that threatens to shatter her is soon apparent. She’s neglected by her father who immerses himself in work, at odds with her new stepmum, finding solace only in Tawny’s company and in hard physical work caring for the animals on their farm.
I love the description of Long Byrne as one of those rural places ‘you can’t see on Google Maps until you really zoom in close. The kind where buses only go by twice a day’. The town is notorious as the location for the murder of Rose Ackroyd and Jane Hollingworth who were hanged as witches on 31st October 1623.
When her school teacher has the not-so-bright idea of re-enacting the events of 1623 in a dramatic staging, at first Cate is drawn in, finding release and creative expression in writing a script that focuses on the intense bonds between the seventeenth-century girls. But new girl Bryony disrupts the dynamic between Cate and Tawny. With secrets of her own, she first attracts Cate and then appears to manipulate her, and the three-way friendship starts to undermine Cate and Tawny’s bond.
Cate’s state of mind deteriorates as the performance approaches, and her grip on reality blurs, the past seeping into the present. As the story reaches its dramatic conclusion, up on the high moor, it is impossible to look away. The impact of Cate’s grief reveals itself in a shocking conclusion, with the threat of real violence. Can Cate and Tawny’s friendship survive all it has endured and save both girls now, or will the terrible past be repeated?
I loved Cate, with her distinctive voice, in all her vulnerability, and the vividly imagined landscape also plays a leading role. The Black Air is a superb YA read that will continue to haunt its readers – it deserves all the success.
{Accessed on Net Galley in return for an honest review... }
August 24, 2023
Thank you so much to UCLan Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
400 years ago two teen girls were hanged as witches, now the local school are putting on a production to share their story. Cate is in charge of creating the script wanting to share the story as it was. Plus an ancestor of one of the girls has arrived in town living in their old house.
A very different take on a witch story, I liked the characters they were very interesting girls and you get thoughts on them right at the start. Bryony was a bit creepy and Tawny had secrets, there was a strong pull that felt like Cate was somehow part of the legacy, she seems to be pulled by it and Robyn was being taunted and haunted by the witches ghosts.
I really liked the idea behind it by recreating that piece of history in the small town, I liked unlocking the true secrets and learning everything. I liked the friendship between the girls even though it seemed like more than friendship for the most part, and also the rift that starts to form between them, from Tawny and Cate being complete besties until Bryony arrives and slowly they separate and it causes a whole big rift.
The school putting on the production event for a Halloween show was really insensitive, it’s a sad and tragic story of cruelty and outdated thinking that caused so many deaths. Though I weirdly liked it as it worked for the setting and made the book even more interesting, it’s still sad that they did it. But in this rural small town it’s an obsession, a money maker, a tourist attraction so they grasp at the whole thing. It’s kind of sad though that because of this legend the small town doesn’t let them rest from it.
Cate goes through mental trauma and as you read her story you see her descent with her eating disorder, with the history of the house across from her, with her neglect from her dad, the loss of her mum, the rocky relationship with her step mom, the heavy job she does with the animals, with creating the script for the play, then her obsession with the new girl and the rift that forms between her and Tawny, because of her. Then the history repeating itself as it did 400 years ago in the exact same spot.
Cate gets enraptured into the history, the story, the house, the girl that lives there, she follows her moms footsteps almost as her mum was heavily interested in that small town, in its story of the witches. As she creates this script, unraveling the story, she slowly starts to unravel herself mentally. The further she dives in her story the more her mind spirals and declines.
The story is written at a slow pace, but was very interesting, we follow a messy lead character with a lot of flaws telling you this deep rooted history in this small town that her mum was obsessed with and she became so too. I did like the copycat thing though, and that one question Cate has writing the script becomes answered with the life mirroring scene that occurs.
The witches being portrayed as the generic kind a simple teen that was out of the ordinary and everyone around her deems she is with the devil being the reasoning behind their brutal murder, which is always a shame when it the typical but it’s the usual explanation so it made sense, plus the ages of the characters in this book made it work perfectly.
If you love witches, the lore of, the story of, the darkness, the haunting-ness of the crimes that happen in those days and a good deep YA story you’ll love this it’s a great thriller, it has a dark mystery and you’ll really like the characters as they were real and layered and very flawed. I found myself invested in the characters and wanting to understand them more as I kept reading.
400 years ago two teen girls were hanged as witches, now the local school are putting on a production to share their story. Cate is in charge of creating the script wanting to share the story as it was. Plus an ancestor of one of the girls has arrived in town living in their old house.
A very different take on a witch story, I liked the characters they were very interesting girls and you get thoughts on them right at the start. Bryony was a bit creepy and Tawny had secrets, there was a strong pull that felt like Cate was somehow part of the legacy, she seems to be pulled by it and Robyn was being taunted and haunted by the witches ghosts.
I really liked the idea behind it by recreating that piece of history in the small town, I liked unlocking the true secrets and learning everything. I liked the friendship between the girls even though it seemed like more than friendship for the most part, and also the rift that starts to form between them, from Tawny and Cate being complete besties until Bryony arrives and slowly they separate and it causes a whole big rift.
The school putting on the production event for a Halloween show was really insensitive, it’s a sad and tragic story of cruelty and outdated thinking that caused so many deaths. Though I weirdly liked it as it worked for the setting and made the book even more interesting, it’s still sad that they did it. But in this rural small town it’s an obsession, a money maker, a tourist attraction so they grasp at the whole thing. It’s kind of sad though that because of this legend the small town doesn’t let them rest from it.
Cate goes through mental trauma and as you read her story you see her descent with her eating disorder, with the history of the house across from her, with her neglect from her dad, the loss of her mum, the rocky relationship with her step mom, the heavy job she does with the animals, with creating the script for the play, then her obsession with the new girl and the rift that forms between her and Tawny, because of her. Then the history repeating itself as it did 400 years ago in the exact same spot.
Cate gets enraptured into the history, the story, the house, the girl that lives there, she follows her moms footsteps almost as her mum was heavily interested in that small town, in its story of the witches. As she creates this script, unraveling the story, she slowly starts to unravel herself mentally. The further she dives in her story the more her mind spirals and declines.
The story is written at a slow pace, but was very interesting, we follow a messy lead character with a lot of flaws telling you this deep rooted history in this small town that her mum was obsessed with and she became so too. I did like the copycat thing though, and that one question Cate has writing the script becomes answered with the life mirroring scene that occurs.
The witches being portrayed as the generic kind a simple teen that was out of the ordinary and everyone around her deems she is with the devil being the reasoning behind their brutal murder, which is always a shame when it the typical but it’s the usual explanation so it made sense, plus the ages of the characters in this book made it work perfectly.
If you love witches, the lore of, the story of, the darkness, the haunting-ness of the crimes that happen in those days and a good deep YA story you’ll love this it’s a great thriller, it has a dark mystery and you’ll really like the characters as they were real and layered and very flawed. I found myself invested in the characters and wanting to understand them more as I kept reading.
September 21, 2023
As a practicing pagan I enjoy a witchy read from time to time but particularly for the ‘spooky’ season. There is just something about reading a witchy or spooky book when the leaves are turning, the air is getting chill and you can snuggle up with your cat (or dog if you prefer) a warm beverage and read. Having read both of Jennifer Lane’s non-fiction witch and wiccan related books I was excited to see what her young adult offering would be and it was everything I expected and more.
Set in a remote village that is overshadowed by a gruesome legend and ancient superstitions who can say what is real and what is not. Over 400 years ago witches were hanged in this village. Fast forward to present day and the sixteen-year-old Cate Aspey would do anything to change her life. Stuck in what she sees as the middle of nowhere with her hermit dad and a step-mum who can’t seem to do anything right, Cate is sure she will go out of her mind. Thankfully she has her closest friends to keep her sane, Tawny and her little sister Robyn. The only thing Cate loves more than her friends is the legend of the Long Byrne witches that haunts the village even after 400 years. The hangings of the young Jane Hollingworth and Rose Ackroyd leave their shadows still across the community. And when the beautiful and serene Bryony Hollingworth arrives the whole of Long Byrne starts talking. Who is she? And is it just coincidence that she arrived just before the anniversary of the legendary witches’ deaths?
The Black Air is a wonderful young adult novel that while sometimes dark it delivers exactly what if says it offers a story about the lengths girls will go to for their friendships. There is a lot this book deals with and each element is dealt with the respect or care it deserves such as mental health, grief, eating disorders, toxic friendships and relationships, witch trails and so much more. The writing is haunting and atmospheric and while the supernatural element takes a while to arrive it is introduced and woven into the tale seamlessly. This is very much a tale of the characters as much as the place and history of the that place.
Our narrator and guide is Cate and while we see the characters through her eyes each of them is formed well and rather reliably although at times we cannot help but wonder what is real and what might be in Cate’s mind. The pacing of the story is well measured and does not feel to rushed or too slow given the story. The characters are all interesting and have a part to play. The Black Air at its core is so much more than a tale about witch trails and the legacy they have left behind. It’s a story about people, about how messy lives can be and how sometimes the relationships we form can help us through.
Set in a remote village that is overshadowed by a gruesome legend and ancient superstitions who can say what is real and what is not. Over 400 years ago witches were hanged in this village. Fast forward to present day and the sixteen-year-old Cate Aspey would do anything to change her life. Stuck in what she sees as the middle of nowhere with her hermit dad and a step-mum who can’t seem to do anything right, Cate is sure she will go out of her mind. Thankfully she has her closest friends to keep her sane, Tawny and her little sister Robyn. The only thing Cate loves more than her friends is the legend of the Long Byrne witches that haunts the village even after 400 years. The hangings of the young Jane Hollingworth and Rose Ackroyd leave their shadows still across the community. And when the beautiful and serene Bryony Hollingworth arrives the whole of Long Byrne starts talking. Who is she? And is it just coincidence that she arrived just before the anniversary of the legendary witches’ deaths?
The Black Air is a wonderful young adult novel that while sometimes dark it delivers exactly what if says it offers a story about the lengths girls will go to for their friendships. There is a lot this book deals with and each element is dealt with the respect or care it deserves such as mental health, grief, eating disorders, toxic friendships and relationships, witch trails and so much more. The writing is haunting and atmospheric and while the supernatural element takes a while to arrive it is introduced and woven into the tale seamlessly. This is very much a tale of the characters as much as the place and history of the that place.
Our narrator and guide is Cate and while we see the characters through her eyes each of them is formed well and rather reliably although at times we cannot help but wonder what is real and what might be in Cate’s mind. The pacing of the story is well measured and does not feel to rushed or too slow given the story. The characters are all interesting and have a part to play. The Black Air at its core is so much more than a tale about witch trails and the legacy they have left behind. It’s a story about people, about how messy lives can be and how sometimes the relationships we form can help us through.
October 31, 2023
In the Black Air, Jennifer Lane has created a dark, spooky suspense with finesse. Subtle, but chilling it crept up on me until I found myself unwittingly devouring the pages. It all happens in a remote Lancashire village called Long Byrne. It has been overshadowed for 400 years by the burning of the Long Byrne witches. The whole incident is steeped in legend and today none know what’s real and what’s not. Some even ask if the ancient legend with its gruesome and likely horrific injustice, stay buried.
Into this cauldron is thrown our heroine Cate Aspey. A mere 16 years old suffering emotional trauma since her mother death but in denial, she is grateful for her friends Tawny and Robyn Brown. When the head of their school Miss Rillington decides to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Long Byrne witches hanging on Halloween with a dramatization of the incident, she might have let loose more than she bargained. The pupils are shocked when a newcomer called Bryony Hollingworth, a descendent of one of the accused back then, joins the school. Worse she is actually residing at Hollingworth house which has never been occupied until now. CREEPY.
Told in 1st person POV, the book gave me goose bumps making my blood run cold. Downright chilling the novel plays out like a feverish dream. I’m struggling to put into words how eerie it all was. Though I don’t usually read about witches and spooky stuff, I’m not sure what got me reading this book. Once I started it sure got me hooked in no time and I could not put it down. I had to know what happened next. Surprisingly, I kind of liked this book. Despite Lane being influenced by the Pendle witches’ saga, her turn of the events is pure genius. Utterly gripping I held my breath and gasped with shock at every new twist. There were quite a few “didn’t see that coming” moments. Ticking every single box for me. with the perfect mix of spine-chilling intrigue, suspense and unease it totally consumed me.
But that’s not all. Hidden within this spine chilling novel are some chilling mental health issues that impact on Cates life. True Lane mostly alludes to them making it a side story.
Definitely a must read. If you like creepy and unpredictable doubtless you will definitely experience it with this truly deliciously dark, unsettling, twisted, addictive spooky read. What’s not to like! Thank you Jennifer Lane.
Into this cauldron is thrown our heroine Cate Aspey. A mere 16 years old suffering emotional trauma since her mother death but in denial, she is grateful for her friends Tawny and Robyn Brown. When the head of their school Miss Rillington decides to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Long Byrne witches hanging on Halloween with a dramatization of the incident, she might have let loose more than she bargained. The pupils are shocked when a newcomer called Bryony Hollingworth, a descendent of one of the accused back then, joins the school. Worse she is actually residing at Hollingworth house which has never been occupied until now. CREEPY.
Told in 1st person POV, the book gave me goose bumps making my blood run cold. Downright chilling the novel plays out like a feverish dream. I’m struggling to put into words how eerie it all was. Though I don’t usually read about witches and spooky stuff, I’m not sure what got me reading this book. Once I started it sure got me hooked in no time and I could not put it down. I had to know what happened next. Surprisingly, I kind of liked this book. Despite Lane being influenced by the Pendle witches’ saga, her turn of the events is pure genius. Utterly gripping I held my breath and gasped with shock at every new twist. There were quite a few “didn’t see that coming” moments. Ticking every single box for me. with the perfect mix of spine-chilling intrigue, suspense and unease it totally consumed me.
But that’s not all. Hidden within this spine chilling novel are some chilling mental health issues that impact on Cates life. True Lane mostly alludes to them making it a side story.
Definitely a must read. If you like creepy and unpredictable doubtless you will definitely experience it with this truly deliciously dark, unsettling, twisted, addictive spooky read. What’s not to like! Thank you Jennifer Lane.
September 16, 2023
"The Hollingworth House.... Stepping over the threshold, I felt a shudder run through me. So much had gone on in this house - the place where all the legends originated. Every creak of the overhead beams and the floorboards below us might be muffling a hidden cry for help. Everything was cooler inside, like we had just entered a crypt, and I had to reassure myself that Hollingworth House wasn't filled with the cold flowing gowns of seventeenth century ghosts."
When I first started this novel, I thought that I was going to really love it. Now that I have finished it, I am sorry to say that I didn't love it as much as I thought I was going to. I think the reason that I didn't come away quite as satisfied as I hoped that I would, was that I didn't feel that the creepy, witchy, supernatural vibe was quite as strong as I would have liked. Yes, this book is all about witches, but it was really about teenage friendships.
The main characters Cate and Tawny, are best friends. They live in a small community, Long Byrne. Long Byrne is haunted by its past - in 1623 the community put to death a group of young women, all charged with being witches. The history of the town is known and celebrated by all who live there. But things take a turn when a new young girl called Bryony comes to live in town, leading to an ending that few residents could comprehend.
The Black Air explores the tumultuous world of teenage friendships. The heightened feelings, struggling with identity and sexuality. Mental health, disordered eating and suicide are also explored. In relation to these themes, Lane has done a great job at peeling the layers back. Her characters are also well constructed. I think that the reason that I was slightly disappointed with the novel was more a case of, "it's me, not you." I picked this up, wanting it to be a creepy read in preparation for spooky season. And that is what it isn't; it isn't spooky, as it's not meant to be. It is meant to be examining female identity, friendships, sexuality, and how thoughts of witchcraft, or someone being 'other' could permeate a small community.
This is a solid YA novel, but if you are wanting something to send shivers down your spine, you need to look elsewhere.
When I first started this novel, I thought that I was going to really love it. Now that I have finished it, I am sorry to say that I didn't love it as much as I thought I was going to. I think the reason that I didn't come away quite as satisfied as I hoped that I would, was that I didn't feel that the creepy, witchy, supernatural vibe was quite as strong as I would have liked. Yes, this book is all about witches, but it was really about teenage friendships.
The main characters Cate and Tawny, are best friends. They live in a small community, Long Byrne. Long Byrne is haunted by its past - in 1623 the community put to death a group of young women, all charged with being witches. The history of the town is known and celebrated by all who live there. But things take a turn when a new young girl called Bryony comes to live in town, leading to an ending that few residents could comprehend.
The Black Air explores the tumultuous world of teenage friendships. The heightened feelings, struggling with identity and sexuality. Mental health, disordered eating and suicide are also explored. In relation to these themes, Lane has done a great job at peeling the layers back. Her characters are also well constructed. I think that the reason that I was slightly disappointed with the novel was more a case of, "it's me, not you." I picked this up, wanting it to be a creepy read in preparation for spooky season. And that is what it isn't; it isn't spooky, as it's not meant to be. It is meant to be examining female identity, friendships, sexuality, and how thoughts of witchcraft, or someone being 'other' could permeate a small community.
This is a solid YA novel, but if you are wanting something to send shivers down your spine, you need to look elsewhere.
September 11, 2023
💨 The Black Air 💨
By Jennifer Lane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date : 7th September 2023
I was kindly given an ARC of The Black Air in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley!
This book is pure Halloween, witchy, ominous, dark.. just perfection for this time of year.
It was a bit slow to start but really picked up towards the middle. There was also an issue on the app which meant the spacing of the words was messed up but you can easily look passed it for this babe of a book!
Cate and Tawny are best friends who are intrigued by the mystery of the Long Byrne witches - two “witches” who were hanged after they had a falling out and exposed themselves for what they were .
New girl Bryony has started school just in time for the Halloween Reenactment of the tale.. the twist? Bryonys ancestor was one of the witches!
Cate, Tawny and Bryony navigate this new friendship triangle while trying to rehearse for the play, the two young witches will be reunited once again on stage in front of the whole village, except this time the script has been written by Cate, following in her mums steps as a budding writer.
Will real life mirror fiction as she writes them as two girls in love who were promised never to be separated? How thin is the veil on Halloween? What happens when Cate struggles to cope with her mums anniversary.
I had chills the whole way through this. The world building was excellent, the scene setting, the atmosphere. Perfect book for a hot chocolate, a blanket and a candle, cosied up at night.
By Jennifer Lane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date : 7th September 2023
I was kindly given an ARC of The Black Air in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley!
This book is pure Halloween, witchy, ominous, dark.. just perfection for this time of year.
It was a bit slow to start but really picked up towards the middle. There was also an issue on the app which meant the spacing of the words was messed up but you can easily look passed it for this babe of a book!
Cate and Tawny are best friends who are intrigued by the mystery of the Long Byrne witches - two “witches” who were hanged after they had a falling out and exposed themselves for what they were .
New girl Bryony has started school just in time for the Halloween Reenactment of the tale.. the twist? Bryonys ancestor was one of the witches!
Cate, Tawny and Bryony navigate this new friendship triangle while trying to rehearse for the play, the two young witches will be reunited once again on stage in front of the whole village, except this time the script has been written by Cate, following in her mums steps as a budding writer.
Will real life mirror fiction as she writes them as two girls in love who were promised never to be separated? How thin is the veil on Halloween? What happens when Cate struggles to cope with her mums anniversary.
I had chills the whole way through this. The world building was excellent, the scene setting, the atmosphere. Perfect book for a hot chocolate, a blanket and a candle, cosied up at night.
October 21, 2023
3.5/4 out of 5
This story follow Cate and her life as a 16 year old girl starting her A-levels with her BFF Tawny when a new girl joins the school with a family history connected to witches who were killed 400 years ago.
I really enjoyed the storyline and writing, and I think it did a really good job of describing how life is as a teenage girl in high school / college and even more so when discussing topics such as grief and eating disorders (TW for anyone who might want to potential read the book).
There were sections that I did get a little confused or needed to re-read a portion to make sure I was following correctly but I do think that added to the plot about the witches and the history of the village and how everything was connected through what was happening to the group of girls.
Overall I really enjoyed The Black Air, especially reading this time of year, it is a great read for September / October, slightly spooky with witches and curses.
Thank you to Netgallery, the publisher and author for allowing me to read this free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story follow Cate and her life as a 16 year old girl starting her A-levels with her BFF Tawny when a new girl joins the school with a family history connected to witches who were killed 400 years ago.
I really enjoyed the storyline and writing, and I think it did a really good job of describing how life is as a teenage girl in high school / college and even more so when discussing topics such as grief and eating disorders (TW for anyone who might want to potential read the book).
There were sections that I did get a little confused or needed to re-read a portion to make sure I was following correctly but I do think that added to the plot about the witches and the history of the village and how everything was connected through what was happening to the group of girls.
Overall I really enjoyed The Black Air, especially reading this time of year, it is a great read for September / October, slightly spooky with witches and curses.
Thank you to Netgallery, the publisher and author for allowing me to read this free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2023
“But I’ve made a decision and there’s no turning back now: I’m changing my life for the better” The Black Air, @thegreenwitchwriter
With this stunning cover comes a beautiful story about grief, mental health and friendship! The way the story tackled such difficult topics was amazing and extremely relatable in my own mental health journey 🥰 The sprinkling of witches and mystery only helped to elevate the story and balance out some of the more difficult conversations within the book 📚
I couldn’t put this book down, an amazing read 🤩
With this stunning cover comes a beautiful story about grief, mental health and friendship! The way the story tackled such difficult topics was amazing and extremely relatable in my own mental health journey 🥰 The sprinkling of witches and mystery only helped to elevate the story and balance out some of the more difficult conversations within the book 📚
I couldn’t put this book down, an amazing read 🤩
January 30, 2025
This was a very haunting read which stayed with me for a while afterwards. Set in Autumn in the wild and eerie moors of Lancashire in the town of Long Byrne which is famous for its witchy history, the setting of this book matched the dark and unpredictable storyline. Full of mystery and foreboding, the story follows the friendship of Cate and Tawny after the arrival of Bryony at their school. It is dark and atmospheric (perfect for Halloween!) and I enjoyed it very much. Definitely recommended!
May 30, 2024
This is not the book I was expecting. I went into this novel thinking it would be about witches and magic as the blurb indicates that this is the plot but in actual fact, this is more a coming of age story about a girl who has experienced severe trauma.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
An amazing book that has you hooked from the get go.
January 3, 2025
How do you illustrate the cover of a book called The Black Air? I can’t imagine that it was easy to decide on the stunning silhouette of a girls’ head with what looks to be sparks from a flame. Look closer though, for we all know first impressions can be deceptive. There are tendrils of ivy, the shadow of another girl and, tucked into the background a house. Each aspect of this incredible cover is a hint as to what we might expect from Jennifer Lane’s story but, of course, it is only once we start to read that we can really start to understand what this story is telling us. Be prepared for a contemporary novel, a story that has a spellbinding mystery at its heart and which blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Are you prepared for The Black Air, for Cate Aspey’s story?
Cate is sixteen and would do anything to change her life. She is stuck living in the middle of nowhere, her dad is a hermit, and her stepmother can’t seem to do anything right. Cate is going out of her mind and doesn’t think she can cope with any of this any longer. Luckily, she has close friends to keep her sane, at least that is what she thinks, and hopes. They all live in the village of Long Byrne which has been haunted, for the last four hundred years, by a legend. The legend of the Long Byrne witches – Jane Hollingsworth and Rose Ackroyd – who were hung for witchcraft leaves a long shadow across the village community. Cate can’t get enough of these tales which seem to be a part of her very being. When Bryony Hollingsworth arrives at the village school the whole village starts to talk. Who is she and why is her name striking fear?
Merged review:
How do you illustrate the cover of a book called The Black Air? I can’t imagine that it was easy to decide on the stunning silhouette of a girls’ head with what looks to be sparks from a flame. Look closer though, for we all know first impressions can be deceptive. There are tendrils of ivy, the shadow of another girl and, tucked into the background a house. Each aspect of this incredible cover is a hint as to what we might expect from Jennifer Lane’s story but, of course, it is only once we start to read that we can really start to understand what this story is telling us. Be prepared for a contemporary novel, a story that has a spellbinding mystery at its heart and which blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Are you prepared for The Black Air, for Cate Aspey’s story?
Cate is sixteen and would do anything to change her life. She is stuck living in the middle of nowhere, her dad is a hermit, and her stepmother can’t seem to do anything right. Cate is going out of her mind and doesn’t think she can cope with any of this any longer. Luckily, she has close friends to keep her sane, at least that is what she thinks, and hopes. They all live in the village of Long Byrne which has been haunted, for the last four hundred years, by a legend. The legend of the Long Byrne witches – Jane Hollingsworth and Rose Ackroyd – who were hung for witchcraft leaves a long shadow across the village community. Cate can’t get enough of these tales which seem to be a part of her very being. When Bryony Hollingsworth arrives at the village school the whole village starts to talk. Who is she and why is her name striking fear?
Cate is sixteen and would do anything to change her life. She is stuck living in the middle of nowhere, her dad is a hermit, and her stepmother can’t seem to do anything right. Cate is going out of her mind and doesn’t think she can cope with any of this any longer. Luckily, she has close friends to keep her sane, at least that is what she thinks, and hopes. They all live in the village of Long Byrne which has been haunted, for the last four hundred years, by a legend. The legend of the Long Byrne witches – Jane Hollingsworth and Rose Ackroyd – who were hung for witchcraft leaves a long shadow across the village community. Cate can’t get enough of these tales which seem to be a part of her very being. When Bryony Hollingsworth arrives at the village school the whole village starts to talk. Who is she and why is her name striking fear?
Merged review:
How do you illustrate the cover of a book called The Black Air? I can’t imagine that it was easy to decide on the stunning silhouette of a girls’ head with what looks to be sparks from a flame. Look closer though, for we all know first impressions can be deceptive. There are tendrils of ivy, the shadow of another girl and, tucked into the background a house. Each aspect of this incredible cover is a hint as to what we might expect from Jennifer Lane’s story but, of course, it is only once we start to read that we can really start to understand what this story is telling us. Be prepared for a contemporary novel, a story that has a spellbinding mystery at its heart and which blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Are you prepared for The Black Air, for Cate Aspey’s story?
Cate is sixteen and would do anything to change her life. She is stuck living in the middle of nowhere, her dad is a hermit, and her stepmother can’t seem to do anything right. Cate is going out of her mind and doesn’t think she can cope with any of this any longer. Luckily, she has close friends to keep her sane, at least that is what she thinks, and hopes. They all live in the village of Long Byrne which has been haunted, for the last four hundred years, by a legend. The legend of the Long Byrne witches – Jane Hollingsworth and Rose Ackroyd – who were hung for witchcraft leaves a long shadow across the village community. Cate can’t get enough of these tales which seem to be a part of her very being. When Bryony Hollingsworth arrives at the village school the whole village starts to talk. Who is she and why is her name striking fear?
December 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this witchy story.
November 7, 2024
I devoured this! A pacey plot, fascinating characters, history. I love the setting and the atmosphere. Congratulations, Jennifer!
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