A Wish in the Dark

A young boy named Pong escapes from a prison in a city called Chattana and embarks on a journey to find his place in the world.

4.3 Goodreads · 8,142 ratings

375 pages· 74,282 words· Est. 10.5 hour read· 720L

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

In Chattana, where light is controlled by the Governor, Pong escapes prison only to find freedom elusive. Marked as a fugitive, he navigates a world divided by privilege. Nok, the warden's daughter, is determined to capture him to restore her family's honor. As she chases him through the city's alleys and canals, she discovers unsettling truths that challenge her beliefs. In this Thai-inspired fantasy, the line between law and justice blurs, raising the question: can one child illuminate the darkness?

From the publisher

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.