A Wish in the Dark

A Wish in the Dark

By Christina Soontornvat

3 ratings 2 reviews 3 followers
A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him. A compelling fantasy looks at issues of privilege, protest, and justice.

All light in Chattana is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the poor toil away in darkness. Worst of all, Pong’s prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free.

Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family’s good name. But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, Christina Soontornvat’s twist on Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that explores the difference between law and justice — and asks whether one child can shine a light in the dark.
Publisher: Candlewick
ISBN-13: 9781536204940
ISBN-10: 1536204943
Published on 3/24/2020
Binding: Hardcover
Number of pages: 384

Book Reviews (3)

Add a Rating

i would love this book and i would recomend it to others

A Wish in the Dark is a great book! I loved going with Pong on his adventure running from the cops. This book has so many fun characters that you will fall in love with. I hope you read this book, because it is AWESOME!!!!!!!! I give it a 100 out of 10 rating!

A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat is about Pong that escapes prison while Nok chases him. Pong’s friend Somkit secretly helps Pong escape from prison after the governor comes. Pong comes to a tiny village almost drowning, and stealing food from a temple someone stopped him. Father Cham helped hide him until Nok finds Pong, then he jumped on a boat and the villagers are trying to find him. In Chattanna Pong fell into the water and his friend helps him get out of the water. While his friend takes him to a hiding place in the town. Nok found out where Pong is in Chattanna. Somkit found a way to make sun orbs that are gold. The hiding place caught on fire and all Somkit’s work got destroyed! I liked this book because it was about a kid who tries to find his own right in the city. Will Pong and Somkit survive the fire? If you want to find out read the book.