A Wish in the Dark

A boy named Pong escapes from Namwon Prison, where he was born, and dreams of living freely under the magical lights of Chattana, created by the Governor after the Great Fire. Outside, he discovers a world of inequality, where the wealthy enjoy bright orb light while the poor toil in darkness, and his prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive forever. Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is determined to find Pong and restore her family’s honor. As she chases him through the city, Nok uncovers unsettling secrets and starts to question the truths she once believed. Inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, this Thai-inspired fantasy world explores themes of privilege, protest, and justice, and is a 2021 Newbery Honor Book.