“Some people are angry with what they see. Some are scared. But they all wish for change.” – Christina Soontornvat, A Wish in the Dark

Are you interested in learning about Christina Soontornvat’s captivating novel A Wish in the Dark? You’ve come to the right place! This middle-grade fantasy reimagines Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables in a Thai-inspired setting that will enchant readers of all ages.

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about this powerful story, from plot details to reader reviews.

Many readers find this book to be a perfect blend of adventure, social commentary, and magical realism, all delivered through beautifully developed characters.

Trust me when I say this isn’t just another middle-grade fantasy. It’s a book that explores complex themes of justice, inequality, and hope through a vibrant, magical world inspired by Thai culture.

Plot Summary

“Everyone has some darkness inside them. It’s finding the light that matters.” – Christina Soontornvat, A Wish in the Dark

The story takes place in the magical city of Chattana, where the governor creates and controls colored light. The governor survived a devastating flood and now rules the city with strict authority.

Light is precious, and only those who can afford to pay for it have access to the brightest, most beautiful colors.

The main characters include:

• Pong: A boy born in Namwon Prison who escapes to find freedom but discovers a harsh world divided by privilege
• Nok: The prison warden’s daughter who is determined to capture Pong to restore her family’s honor
• Father Cham: A kind monk who takes Pong in and teaches him about compassion and inner light
• The Governor: The powerful ruler who controls all the magical light in Chattana
• Somkit: Pong’s best friend from the prison, who has a talent for fixing things

A Wish in the Dark is a middle-grade fantasy novel set in a Thai-inspired world where magical light is the source of power and prosperity. The story follows two main characters whose lives are fundamentally different yet become intertwined by fate and choices.

Pong is born and raised in Namwon Prison, where his mother dies shortly after his birth. He grows up believing that being born in prison has marked him as bad from the start.

When he was nine years old, he attended a festival where the Governor of Chattana demonstrated his power to create magical orbs of light.

During this event, Pong discovers he can feel the magic in the lights and impulsively makes a wish, causing all the lights to flicker briefly. This moment plants a seed of hope that perhaps he has some power within himself.

At age twelve, Pong seizes an opportunity to escape the prison during a monsoon by swimming through the drainage pipes. He finds himself in the wider world of Chattana, a city divided between the wealthy, who can afford beautiful, bright lights, and the poor, who must make do with dim, cheap orbs.

As an escaped prisoner, Pong must hide his identity while navigating this unfair society. When Nok finally tracks Pong to Chattana, she begins to see the city through his eyes. She witnesses the stark inequality between the rich and poor districts and starts questioning the systems she’s always believed in.

Through her encounters with Pong and his friend Somkit (who also escaped from the prison), Nok gradually realizes that her privileged perspective has limited her understanding of justice.

As tensions in the city rise, a movement forms to protest the Governor’s monopoly on light. Pong, despite his fear, reluctantly becomes involved in the resistance. A pivotal demonstration at the Governor’s monument becomes chaotic when the Governor’s forces attempt to disperse the crowd.

The climax builds as Pong, Nok, and Somkit work together, despite their differences, to reveal the truth to the people of Chattana.

The Governor’s deception is exposed, and everyone is taught how to create light. The city begins a new chapter in which light—both literal and metaphorical—can be accessed by all citizens regardless of status or wealth.

What Genre is A Wish in the Dark?

A Wish in the Dark is primarily a middle-grade fantasy novel, but it contains elements of several genres:

• Fantasy: The magical light system and setting create a fantasy world with its own rules
• Social justice narrative: The exploration of inequality and privilege echoes classic social novels
• Coming-of-age story: Both Pong and Nok grow and evolve as they question their beliefs
• Retelling: The novel reimagines Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables in a Thai-inspired setting

The main themes include:

• Justice and inequality
• The arbitrary nature of privilege
• Finding inner light and self-worth
• The power of empathy to change perspectives
• Forgiveness and redemption
• Challenging unjust systems

When you pick up this book, expect a richly imagined world where magic feels integrated and natural. The Thai-inspired setting provides a refreshing alternative to Western-centric fantasy while exploring universal themes that resonate across cultures.

This isn’t just a story about magic. It uses fantasy elements to examine real-world issues of social justice, privilege, and the courage required to stand up for what’s right.

Ratings and Reviews

“We can’t go through life only looking at what’s in front of us. We have to look side to side as well, to see how our actions affect others.” – Christina Soontornvat, A Wish in the Dark.

A Wish in the Dark has a 4.3/5 star rating on Goodreads from over 5,000 readers and was a 2021 Newbery Honor Book, reflecting its critical acclaim and reader appreciation.

Readers across platforms share many positive thoughts about the novel

“The Thai-inspired setting is so vividly realized that I could practically feel the humid air and see the colored lights glowing throughout Chattana. A refreshing change from the typical medieval European fantasy setting.”

“Both protagonists, Pong and Nok, are fully realized characters with complex motivations. Watching them grow and change their perspectives is incredibly satisfying.”

“The themes of justice and inequality are handled with nuance rare in middle-grade fiction. It doesn’t offer simple answers but encourages readers to think deeply about fairness.”

Some critical reviews mention

“The Les Misérables inspiration is sometimes a bit too on-the-nose, particularly for readers familiar with Hugo’s original work.”

“The magical system, while beautiful, could have been more thoroughly explained in terms of its limitations and rules.”

“The pacing in the middle section slows significantly before picking up for the finale.”

What sets A Wish in the Dark apart from other middle-grade fantasies is its commitment to exploring complex social issues without simplifying them for younger readers.

The result is a work that respects its readers’ intelligence while delivering an emotionally satisfying story.

Who Should Read A Wish in the Dark?

This book is well-suited for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) who enjoy fantasy with depth and substance. However, the themes and quality of writing make it equally enjoyable for teen and adult readers who appreciate children’s literature.

Content considerations:

• Discussions of inequality and injustice
• Some scenes of tension and peril
• Themes of parental loss (Pong’s mother dies, though this happens before the story begins)
• Complex moral questions that might require discussion with younger readers

This book is perfect for readers who enjoyed:

• The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
• Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

It’s also excellent for classroom use, as it provides numerous discussion points about justice, privilege, and moral courage. Readers who prefer straightforward adventure stories with less social commentary might find the pacing and themes more challenging.

Book Recommendations If You Liked A Wish in the Dark

If you enjoyed A Wish in the Dark, here are some books with similar qualities:

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee: A space opera inspired by Korean mythology that features a shape-shifting fox spirit on a quest to find her missing brother.

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani: A historical fiction narrative set during the Partition of India that, like A Wish in the Dark, explores large-scale social issues through a child’s perspective.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin: A fantasy adventure inspired by Chinese folklore that similarly incorporates cultural elements into a magical journey.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia: A fantasy adventure drawing from African and African American folklore. It combines mythology with themes of courage and identity.

The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim: A contemporary fantasy based on Korean mythology that, like Soontornvat’s work, weaves cultural elements into a magical adventure.

Conclusion

A Wish in the Dark stands as a shining example of how middle-grade fiction can tackle complex themes while remaining accessible and engaging. It takes the familiar framework of a classic story and transforms it into something fresh and relevant for today’s readers.

The book’s unusual setting might challenge readers used to Western-centric fantasy, but this cultural richness is precisely what makes it special.

The Thai-inspired world of Chattana feels authentic and lived-in, providing a backdrop that enhances rather than overshadows character development.

What makes this book special is its encouragement to question systems they take for granted. It shows that even young people can recognize injustice and work toward positive change, making it empowering for readers of all ages.

If you want a book that combines magical adventure with thoughtful social commentary, all wrapped in beautiful prose and unforgettable characters, try A Wish in the Dark.

About the Author

Christina Soontornvat is an award-winning author of children’s books. Born to a Thai father and an American mother, her mixed heritage influences many of her stories, including A Wish in the Dark.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Soontornvat worked as a science educator at a children’s museum.

In 2021, Soontornvat achieved the rare distinction of receiving two Newbery Honors in the same year—one for A Wish in the Dark and another for her nonfiction book All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team.

Other books by Christina Soontornvat include:

• All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team
• The Changelings series
• Diary of an Ice Princess series
• To Catch a Mermaid
• The Blunders

Soontornvat is known for her ability to blend fantasy elements with authentic emotional journeys and cultural richness, creating stories that entertain while encouraging empathy and understanding.