MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE (Fantasy) FICTION : A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
ABOUT THE BOOK
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, and inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.
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, and inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.
REVIEW
Christina Soontornvat has written a compelling tale of love and hope amidst the darkest circumstances. The similarities to Les Misérables are easy to see. The main character, Pong, is sitting in prison simply because he was born to a woman in prison, not for anything he did himself. And he hates it. Even though he will be released when he is thirteen, his strong sense of injustice leaves him very unhappy. When the opportunity to escape comes, he takes it. The other thing that is especially reminiscent of Le Mis is Nok, the warden's daughter whose strong sense of law and order leads her to search for Pong and see that he is returned to prison. Pong's experiences with a buddhist monk change him for good, but his prison tattoo means he will forever be on the run. Especially with Nok on his trail.
There are some interesting differences in the book as well. The fantasy elements related to the granting of wishes and the Governor who creates the light orbs the city of Chattana relies on create an interesting back drop for Pong's story. The secondary characters add quite a bit to the story as well. Pong's friend, Somkit, who Pong left behind in prison and meets up with again later on the run, provides an interesting contrast to Pong. Somkit's mechanical genius and loyalty to Pong play a strong role in Pong's decision-making. After inadvertently returning to the city, Pong meets up with Somkit again and goes into hiding. He finds himself part of a plan for the poorer people in the city to march and protest against the Governor. He finds his heart torn between personal freedom and helping the people who have helped him. In the end he must choose.
A Wish in the Dark is a thoughtful, powerful story about law and mercy, freedom and compassion, and the power of a wish to change the future. Soontornvat has created a masterpiece of a novel that left me with much to consider. A true winner of a novel perfect for young readers who like stories with extra depth.
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