A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

A Wish in the Dark

Christina Soontornvat

Candlewick Press · Paperback · September 7, 2021

A 2021 Newbery Honor Book A boy on the run.

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Who it’s for
A dark-tinged fantasy that leans on atmosphere, momentum, and a slightly sharp grin.
Genres
Magic & Fantasy, Homelessness & Poverty, Survival Stories
Published
Candlewick Press, September 7, 2021

About this book

A 2021 Newbery Honor Book 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.

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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.

Dark Fairy Tale

A dark-tinged fantasy that leans on atmosphere, momentum, and a slightly sharp grin.

Come here for

  • edgy fairy-tale mood
  • magic with a social edge

Expect

  • sustained immersion
  • fairy-tale cues without the sugar coating

Where it sits

Magic & Fantasy90%
Homelessness & Poverty68%
Survival Stories25%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Stories Set in Asia
  • Magic & Fantasy
  • Homelessness & Poverty
Authors
Christina Soontornvat
Publisher
Candlewick Press
Published
September 7, 2021
Format
Paperback
Reading lane
Stories Set in Asia