Title:

A Wish in the Dark

Author:

Christina Soontornvat

Category:

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

February 2, 2025

Wish in the Dark is a young-adult book that I enjoyed. It is set in a fantasy world with a mild amount of magic. The star of the story is Pong, who is born in prison. His mother has died, so Pong is an orphan. Although he has committed no crime, he sentenced to remain in prison until age 13, when he will be released into society. His best friend is another child prisoner, a thin boy name Somkit, who has an amazing aptitude for machines and materials. The two nine year old boys sit in the prison courtyard, aimlessly waiting for ripe mango fruit to fall from the tree into their hands. They are nine years old, and Pong doesn't think he can handle prison life any longer. One lazy afternoon, while the guards are drowsing in the courtyard, Pongo hides in the trash bin. Amazingly, his impromptu scheme works - the trash barge picks him up and carts him down river, outside the megalopolis of Chattana. There, downstream of the city, the trash is unceremoniously dumped in the river. Pong, who has never learned to swim, is pitched overboard with the trash.

The warden of the prison has lost a nine year old child, which is embarrassing. In the Chattana society, where social status and favor are crucial for success, allowing a prisoner to disappear is a black eye. The warden has a 9 year old daughter, Nok, who burns with anger that the escaped Pong has brought such shame upon her family. If only she could catch him...

Pong washes up at the village of Tanaburi, with its temple, Wat Singh. Famished and desperate, Pong tries to steal food that the villagers leave for the monks, but he is caught. But rather than harsh punishment, Father Cham, the head of the temple, invites Pong in for a meal! An astonished Pong finds himself as the youngest monk in training, taking lessons and blessings directly from Father Cham.

Four years pass.

Nok's father has been 'promoted' to law commissioner. He goes around the kingdom ensuring that everyone is purchasing the light-globes that the magical governor has gifted to Chattana. Years ago, a major fire burned Chattana to the ground, so now the use of fire is forbidden and everyone must use the magical colored globes for light and power. While her family as at the temple, Nok preternaturally senses that Pong, the escaped child from years ago, is somewhere near. Pong's identity is unmasked, but he eludes capture with a desperate act.

The hunt is on - Nok trying to capture Pong and re-establish the competence and loyalty of her family, while Pong wishes to be free to live a normal life. There are escapes and plots, and a lot more details come out about the magic light-globes supplied by the governor powers that power the city.

I think the story succeeds because the characters are so well drawn, and likeable. Pong, Nok and Somkit are thirteen year olds making their way in a hard world. The reader can relate to all of their plights. Kind Father Cham, with his strange blessings that always seem to come true, ("may wasps never sting the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands"), steals the show. The world building is well thought out, Chattana feels like a plausible city, with just of a hint of magic from the governor's glowing orbs. Chattana is a city ripe for revolt, as the numbers of people in poverty keep growing.

I selected this book because it won a Newbury Honor Medal in 2021. I read this book in a weekend. It was entertaining enough that I read from no other book (I often read more than one story at a time) once I started A Wish in the Dark. I liked this book enough that if I see another book by Soontornvat, I will probably snatch it up off of the shelf.