Christina Soontornvat’s In a Dark Land is an enchanting and suspenseful middle-grade fantasy that deftly explores the themes of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery. As a sequel to A Wish in the Dark, this novel invites readers back into a world where light and dark are more than just elements of the environment—they are reflections of the struggles within and around us.

In a Dark Land follows the story of Pong, a young boy who, after the events of A Wish in the Dark, is still grappling with the consequences of his past and his place in a society divided by light and darkness. The novel takes readers to a new, shadowy part of the world, where Pong and his friends must confront both external dangers and their own inner fears.

Pong, along with his companions—Somkit, a loyal friend with a knack for inventions, and Nok, the fierce and determined daughter of a prison warden—finds themselves drawn into a mysterious and perilous land. This land is shrouded in darkness and filled with strange creatures and magical forces. As they journey deeper into this dark territory, they uncover secrets that challenge their understanding of their world and themselves.

The trio’s quest is not just about survival, but also about finding light in the darkest places, both literally and metaphorically. Along the way, they encounter new allies and formidable foes, each with their own complex motivations, leading to a climax that tests their courage, loyalty, and belief in each other.

In a Dark Land continues Soontornvat’s exploration of themes related to social justice, inequality, and the power of hope. The contrast between light and dark in the novel serves as a powerful metaphor for the struggles the characters face—both the literal darkness of the land they navigate and the metaphorical darkness of fear, prejudice, and despair.

The novel also delves into the idea of redemption and the importance of understanding one’s own worth. Pong’s journey is as much about forgiving himself and believing in his capacity for good as it is about overcoming the external challenges he faces. Friendship and the strength that comes from unity and trust are central to the story, showing how bonds forged in adversity can be the strongest of all.

Christina Soontornvat’s writing is both lyrical and accessible, perfectly suited to the middle-grade audience while also offering depth that can resonate with older readers. Her descriptions of the dark land are evocative, creating a haunting atmosphere that pulls readers into the story’s mysterious and dangerous world. The pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of action, suspense, and quieter moments of introspection that keep the narrative engaging and emotionally rich.

Soontornvat’s ability to convey complex themes through a story that remains relatable and gripping is one of the novel’s strengths. The dialogue is natural and often poignant, and the character interactions are filled with warmth, humor, and authenticity.

Pong continues to be a deeply relatable protagonist. His internal struggles—his guilt over his past actions, his doubts about his worth—are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance, making his journey of self-discovery all the more compelling. His growth throughout the novel is evident, as he learns to embrace both his strengths and his flaws.

The supporting characters, particularly Somkit and Nok, are equally well-developed. Somkit’s ingenuity and loyalty provide both comic relief and critical assistance to the group, while Nok’s determination and evolving sense of justice add layers to her character. The relationships between these characters are at the heart of the story, and Soontornvat does an excellent job of showing how they grow together as they face their challenges.

In a Dark Land is a captivating and beautifully written continuation of Christina Soontornvat’s fantasy series, offering a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. With its richly developed characters, imaginative world-building, and deep exploration of important themes, the novel is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

Fans of A Wish in the Dark will find much to love in this sequel, and new readers will be drawn into its world of light and shadow, courage and fear. In a Dark Land is a testament to the power of storytelling, showing how even in the darkest of places, light can be found—and sometimes, it is within us all along.

I didn't realize it was part of a series. Having not read the first, I was a little lost.

I appreciate the opportunity to review. Sorry for the long delay in feedback. I'm working on clearing out my Netgalley backlog. Trying to find the joy in reading again by going through the hundreds of abandoned books here.

In a dark land by christina soontornov.
Izzy is at camp with her sister. She isn't enjoying it. She longs for faerie. The magical world. She soon joins her friends in faerie. An absolutely fantastic read with great characters. A must read. 5*.

This is the 2nd book in the series-and I didn't read the first one. I found that I needed a bit more background to completely understand what was happening-so I would suggest reading them in order or prepare to be a mite confused.

Overall it is a nice story with a lots of twists, and some morals are thrown in as well-well life lessons. This was a fun quick read that I found entertaining and enjoyable and could see it as being read to many children.

When you’re 12 yrs old, all you really want is to be with your new best friends, especially when they are the only friends you’ve ever had. These friends know who you really truly are and you can be yourself when you are with them. If it happens that you learn you are half Faerie-half human, in other words a Changling, something as crazy as you always hoped/feared and they are, too, well, so much the better. The problem is your parents sent you to camp and you don’t know how to get back to your friends. If only they could find you. The tale is a good one and readers will be glued to the page as the Changlings continue their adventures.

If you'd care to hear more of how amazing the first novel is, head back to my previous post. Today, we are going to continue the raving with this succinct conclusion to Izzy's wonderful tale. And boy, oh boy, does it have a completely different feeling.

A whole summer has flown by and Izzy still isn't back where she is supposed to be. Or so she feels. This is not the high adrenaline adventure story as the first novel. This is dealing with all the lessons that were discovered in the first novel. The fun spirit of all the characters are all still there but hiding behind the struggles of growing up and finding where you fit in the world.

The darkness and doubt are all just a part of growing up, and this novel handles it beautifully. This is what a middle grade coming of age novel is all about. I thoroughly enjoyed the story even if it wasn't the page turning adventure we got last time. In a Dark Land really proved to me that this is an author who can grow along with her characters. I look forward to future works.

This is the second book and I recommend reading the first one. Not only is it a good book, it will be easier to follow along and appreciate the second book.

Many will relate to at least one of the characters in the book. We've all had moments when we are worried about how we look and whether we fit in. It gave me the feeling that no matter what, we are never alone.

I received this advanced copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

Izzy finally gets her wish to return to Faerie, but things just aren't the way she imagined. Her sister, Hen, isn't with her. The beastly Unglers are still on the loose and hunting for Changelings like Izzy and her friends. The others live in the castle that once belonged to Queen Morvanna, but Peter (aka the Pied Piper), doesn't want them running about town. If the queen is truly dead and defeated, what is it that he fears? It turns out that there is a real threat, and it may be one that even Good Peter cannot help them overcome.

Full of magical creatures, spells, enchanted abilities, and even fireworks and a hot air balloon, this adventure has as much going on as anyone could wish. Trying to decipher prophetic rhymes and also search for answers about Izzy's birth parents, the friends journey out of the city of Ahvalon and toward the Demon's Dome. If their luck holds, they can find what the villain is searching for and keep both Earth and Faerie safe.

Besides all the wonders of Faerie and the various creatures, there are also themes of belonging, identity, the consequences of past mistakes, and the dangers of letting bitterness taint your view of the world. Izzy isn't the only one trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs; her friends do their own coming of age as they face this danger together.

Perfect for fantasy readers who enjoy humor mixed in with the action and peril of facing off against evil foes.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC for my honest review. Since the book is not out yet-I will be vague and give no spoilers.

This is the 2nd book in the series-and I didn't read the first one. I found that I needed a bit more background to completely understand what was happening-so I would suggest reading them in order or prepare to be a mite confused.

Overall it is a nice story with a lots of twists, and some morals are thrown in as well-well life lessons. This was a fun quick read that I found entertaining and enjoyable and could see it as being read to many children.