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A review by yvo_about_books
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.5

Finished reading: April 10th 2025


"Sometimes, the greatest treasure to be found is... love."

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Park Row in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

I really enjoyed Sarah Penner's debut, and I've been looking forward to read more of her work ever since. I admit that I still have to read her previous book, but I couldn't resist adding her newest story The Amalfi Curse as soon as I first heard about it. Then again, I always have a weak spot for stories set in Italy... Plus, the dual timeline, the diving angle and the witchcraft element sounded all fascinating. And I have to say that this story has only put this author even firmer on my radar!

The Amalfi Curse uses a dual timeline structure, which I admit doesn't always work that well for me. I usually prefer one much over the other, but thankfully this story turned out to be an exception and I loved both timelines equally. There is the 1821 timeline with its focus on the sea witches, the magic as well as a forbidden romance... This timelines has multiple POVs, although the main focus is on Mari and her complicated situation. The present timeline mainly focuses on nautical archeologist Haven, who is currently in Positano both on a job and on a mission to find the secret treasure her father failed to retrieve before he died. This timeline also had romance, although it wasn't as present.

One of the things I loved about The Amalfi Curse is without doubt the Italian setting. The Amalfi Coast really comes alive in both timelines, and I loved the many descriptions of the village of Positano in both the past and present. There is a strong focus on the sea of course, with the sea witches in the 1812 timeline and the sunken treasure and diving in the present. I especially loved the mention of the magic of the sea witches and learning more about the curse and everything the magic entailed... The witchcraft element is without doubt one of the main reasons this story ended up standing out to me.

Both timelines have plenty moments of suspense along the way, and as a result it was VERY hard to put this story down. I was fully invested in what was happening to the women in both timelines, although if I have to choose only one timeline I think the 1821 one is just a tiny bit more engaging with the very present witchcraft and imminent danger the women are in. I also loved the chapters set on board of the ship... But the present timeline with the diving scenes and treasure hunt was very entertaining as well.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, but what I can say that if you enjoy rich, immersive and well developed dual timeline stories with a dose of magic as well as romance, I cannot recommend The Amalfi Curse enough. 
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