The Legend of Tartuka Island and the Chosen Pearls

In 1939, Singapore, thirteen-year-old Margaret Chatsworth, daughter of a BritishAdmiral, discovers an ancient journal that changes her life forever. Within itsweathered pages lies the extraordinary tale of Oda Tadakatsu, a samurai cast awayfrom Japan in 1867 as the 700-year rule of the samurai approaches its violent end.Sent to sea against his will by a father desperate to save him from the comingbloodshed, young Oda is forced aboard a Spanish vessel under the commandof the enigmatic Captain Márquez. For years, Oda has served diligently whileharboring dreams of returning to defend his homeland. When Márquez revealshis true mission-the search for hidden islands called the Chosen Pearls, whichmay harbor the mythical Fountain of Youth-Oda’s path becomes entangled withancient legends that transcend time itself.Margaret’s curiosity about Oda’s story ends abruptly when colonial authorities accusethe bookseller who gave her the journal of subversive activities. He is deported fromSingapore, and Margaret is sent back to England for her safety. The mysteriousjournal is taken from her, lost forever-or so she thought. Six years later, now anOxford history student, Margaret’s world shatters again when her father vanishesfrom his naval post in Singapore without a trace. Despite an extensive search, thecircumstances of his disappearance remain unknown, and the British Navy is notable to find him. It isn’t until the unexpected arrival of Oda’s journal to Maragert’sroom that she finds an alarming connection between the ancient samurai’s questand her father’s fate.With time running out and war looming on the horizon, Margaret undertakes adangerous journey back to Singapore alongside Lieutenant James Thomas. As shefollows Oda’s path through treacherous waters, two quests separated by decadesconverge: a samurai’s fight to reclaim his honor and a daughter’s desperate searchfor her father. Between these pages lie tales of pirates and betrayals, hidden islandsand mystical forces, immortality and sacred duty. But the greatest mystery remains:Where is Oda? And will his path cross with Margaret’s as she races to uncover thesecrets of the Chosen Pearls before those who took her father unleash their poweron an already war-torn world?