River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh is the second novel in the acclaimed Ibis Trilogy. Set in the years leading up to the First Opium War, the story unfolds in the bustling trading port of Canton (Guangzhou), China, where merchants, sailors, botanists, artists, and traders from around the world converge. Through a richly woven narrative, Ghosh explores themes of colonialism, global trade, migration, cultural exchange, identity, and the human cost of the opium trade. Combining meticulous historical research with unforgettable characters, the novel offers a vivid portrait of a transformative period in Asian and world history.