When Pong is caught stealing food from a monastery on the outskirts of Chattana, the senior monk Father Cham vouches for him and takes him in, and helps him conceal his tattoo.

Pursued by Nok, Pong returns to Chattana, where he reunites with his friend from prison, Somkit, and becomes involved in a movement to protest the social inequality in the city.

Julie Overpeck of School Library Journal praised the book's exploration of "morality, oppression, and being defined by one’s circumstances", and wrote that "the action is enhanced by the fantastical Thailand-like setting.

"[4] Fiona Hartley-Kroeger, writing for The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, similarly praised the "rich, atmospheric Thai-inspired settings", but noted that "Somkit’s path to identity and community takes a back seat.

"[5] Kirkus Reviews called the story a "complex, hopeful, fresh retelling" of Les Misérables,[2] while Publishers Weekly praised the plot's "emotional pull" and the characters' relationships.