River of Smoke

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The Ibis, carrying a cargo of indentured servants, battles a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. Among those fighting for survival are Neel, a convicted raja; Paulette, a French orphan disguised as a deckhand; and Deeti, a widowed poppy grower escaping with her love, Kalua. The storm also endangers the clipper ship Anahita, laden with the largest opium shipment ever sent from India to Canton. Meanwhile, the Redruth, a nursery ship, transports horticulturist "Fitcher" Penrose, who seeks the hidden treasures of China—plants with healing, beautifying, or intoxicating properties. These characters converge in Canton's Fanqui-Town, a chaotic enclave where cultures collide and sometimes merge, serving as a powder keg on the brink of the Opium Wars. The narrative is filled with spectacular coincidences, reversals of fortune, and tender love stories. However, it transcends being a mere page-turner; it delves into the relentless pursuit of wealth, the drug trade's dominance, and the hypocrisy of freedom rhetoric. This historical novel intertwines the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, offering powerful contemporary relevance. Critics have lauded the previous installment for its vibrant storytelling and rich narrative, and this continuation promises to engage readers worldwide.