Reviews

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

grace_ace's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

andyourstruly's review against another edition

2.75

I've had friends who said they wouldn't know this was Les Mis-inspired if they hadn't been told and also that they preferred it as a standalone novel (as opposed to a Les Mis spin-off), but honestly, I felt the opposite: I could tell immediately that it was a Les Mis AU, I enjoyed it with that in mind, and without that background knowledge ie as a standlone novel it would have fallen flat for me.  Now, I say this as a 30yo adult reading a middle grade novel, so it's hardly a fair assessment, but especially as someone who has spent nearly a third of their life in Thailand, I'd really been hoping that the recontextualization would be trying to say something a little more than what it did.  (The author is a WONDERFUL speaker though, absolutely BANGER powerpoints.)

paperboundwords's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

3.5

frankenstens13's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I picked it up as a "blind date with a book" and all in all it was pretty good I probably wouldn't read it again but I loved the concept, and the characters were great! I wish I would have found it a couple of years ago 

pinkunicorn's review against another edition

inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved it a lot.

ekimball's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mjlb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

avinawood's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

librarylizzie's review against another edition

No time I fear :(

kimbongiorno's review against another edition

5.0

A cat-and-mouse chase story with two points of view that shines a light on the unfair advantages of those of keep themselves in power by ensuring many others never get it. And what to do to even the scales to something much more just.
Kindness, hard work, trust, friendship, and unity are all addressed in this fantastic novel for middle grade readers.