Being in limbo, 30,000 feet in the air, offers time to reflect and take stock. For Aaron Umber, it’s an opportunity to connect with his 14-year-old son as they travel halfway across the world to meet a woman who isn’t expecting them.
Unsettled by his past, and anxious for his future, Aaron is at a crossroads in life. The damage inflicted upon him during his youth has made him the man he is, but now threatens to widen the growing fissures between him and his only child. This trip could bind them closer together, or tear them further apart.
In this penetrating examination of action and consequence, fault and attribution, acceptance and resolution, John Boyne gives us a redemptive story of a father and a son on a moving journey to mend their troubled lives.
Print Length: 162 pages. Publisher: Transworld Digital. Publication Date: 1 May 2025
My Thoughts.
Firstly, a huge thank you to John Marrs who kindly bought me a copy of this book because he knew how much I loved the first 3 Elements books in this series.
Air is the final element in this heartbreaking, dark, disturbing and powerful series and if you haven’t read any of the books yet, then please buy them all but you MUST read them in order as each book has a different connection to the previous one and whilst they are all standalone stories it really helps the reader if you read them as written: Water – Book 1, Earth – Book 2, Fire – Book 3.
Air is another short but powerful story. This one centres around Aaron Umber and his 14 year old son. Aaron does feature in one of the previous books as does his wife, so I won’t give anything away or spoil the books for you.
Once again, John Boyne is able to create characters who get under your skin and into your thoughts long after you’ve finished the book.
This wasn’t my favourite of the books, but I do appreciate how the author was able to bring all the elements together and provide the reader closure.
Overall, the 4 books are exceptional, powerful, though-provoking, emotional, dark, disturbing and I would recommend them to everyone.
