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A review by wish_upon_a_tbr
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you, NetGalley and Park Row Books, for the opportunity to read this ARC!
If you’ve ever wondered what a female-led Indiana Jones movie, set in Italy, featuring nautical archaeology would be like…then look no further! The latest from Sarah Penner, author of The Lost Apothecary and The London Séance Society has plenty of treasure hunting, archive sleuthing, star-crossed romance…and even a little witchcraft.
I was immediately hooked by Haven’s search for her late father’s final discovery among the shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. The plot flips back and forth between her story and that of Mari DeLuca, a 19th-century strega, or sea-witch, who has power over the ocean and falls in love with an American sailor.
While I loved the historical aspect of both storylines and the dual POVs, I found my attention lagging around the midpoint. It takes a beat to figure out how the two timelines intertwine and I wish there’d been more hints along the way to keep me hooked. But once the stories meet up, the pacing gets quick, with everything coming together in a really satisfying way!
I also loved the coastal Italian setting and how the beauty of Positano and the surrounding cities amplified the brewing danger beneath the waves. It’s obvious that a lot of research went into this book and I definitely sensed that authenticity.
Historical romance and magical realism fans will love this one!
If you’ve ever wondered what a female-led Indiana Jones movie, set in Italy, featuring nautical archaeology would be like…then look no further! The latest from Sarah Penner, author of The Lost Apothecary and The London Séance Society has plenty of treasure hunting, archive sleuthing, star-crossed romance…and even a little witchcraft.
I was immediately hooked by Haven’s search for her late father’s final discovery among the shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. The plot flips back and forth between her story and that of Mari DeLuca, a 19th-century strega, or sea-witch, who has power over the ocean and falls in love with an American sailor.
While I loved the historical aspect of both storylines and the dual POVs, I found my attention lagging around the midpoint. It takes a beat to figure out how the two timelines intertwine and I wish there’d been more hints along the way to keep me hooked. But once the stories meet up, the pacing gets quick, with everything coming together in a really satisfying way!
I also loved the coastal Italian setting and how the beauty of Positano and the surrounding cities amplified the brewing danger beneath the waves. It’s obvious that a lot of research went into this book and I definitely sensed that authenticity.
Historical romance and magical realism fans will love this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, Death of parent