A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (review)

Born in Namwon Prison, two boys dream of release on their distant thirteenth birthdays. When Pong escapes early, leaving Somkit behind, the prison warden’s martial artist daughter, Nok, plans to recapture him to prove her worth. The trio become embroiled in a rising protest movement against the autocratic governor’s harsh laws that widen disparities between the wealthy and poor. The heart of the governor’s power is his exclusive ability to create the magical light globes that serve as illumination, heat, and power for the city of Chattana; his guiding mantra, “The law is the light, and the light shines on the worthy,” inspires the characters’ questions about worthiness, inequality and justice. The rich, atmospheric Thai-inspired settings ground Pong and Nok’s journeys toward self-understanding, from bleak Namwon to the peaceful temple Wat Singh to Chattana’s bustling, colorful Light Market. While Somkit’s path to identity and community takes a back seat, all three arrive at the hopeful final protest empowered by their own experiences. The ending is tidy but well earned, and readers will easily recognize the metaphor of inner light that spreads from person to person as they stand united in common purpose. The novel offers satisfying meditations on moral choices as well as age-friendly openings into conversations about prison pipelines, autocracy, and socio-political action.