I received an advance reader’s copy (ARC) of The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

The Amalfi Curse follows two timelines: the present day and the 1820s. In the former, a nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose comes to Positano to investigate shipwrecks—and possibly to find the treasure her late father claims to have seen on his last dive. Then, in the latter, the women of Positano practice stregheria, a magical power, in order to protect their town from pirates, storms, and other threats. But Mari, one of the most skilled practitioners, is planning to leave with her lover—until pirates do arrive and kidnap some of Mari’s friends. Now, she must choose between her great love and her town. Back in the present, Haven learns more and more about the strange region, uncovering a tale of tragic love and magic that seems impossible. And yet, the evidence is mounting that there’s more to this place than meets the eye, but with seismic data indicating that time is running out for the coast, she might not be able to unearth the truth before it’s too late.

I’ve read Penner’s other novels and enjoyed them well enough, particularly The Lost Apothecary. This new novel seems to be more in line with that novel, and is quite enjoyable. I like a dual-timeline narrative, and Penner is adept at balancing the two. By flipping back and forth between the times, the reader grows more and more knowledgeable about the overall picture, while each character only knows a fragment. I enjoy the dramatic irony this provides, and that things are revealed in a way that you’re still kept guessing about everyone’s ultimate fate.

I also liked the characters. Haven is a capable scientist, full of determination and academic acumen, so when the systemic sexism of her profession stands in her way, you feel sympathy and righteous anger for her. Additionally, I appreciated the journey she went on in dealing with her grief over the loss of her father, and even wanted to see a bit more of that. There’s a lot going on, yes, but that was a touching subplot. However, her romance with Positano native, Enzo, was sweet. He’s a good love interest, full of charm and support for Haven throughout the story.

As for Mari and her story, this was compelling, too. The descriptions of the women’s magic were really cool, as were the chapters from Mari’s lover Holmes’ point of view. It’s a wilder setting, full of peril and tension. The stakes are much higher than in Haven’s time, and provide a nice contrast to her story. It’s rewarding to see the story unfold, both through Haven’s research and through Mari’s and Holmes’ firsthand perspective.

As the book enters its final act, though, I struggled a little with the story. I didn’t quite understand the motives of Savina, Enzo’s mother whose significance becomes clear toward the end of the story. I think I might have benefited from a couple chapters from her point of view throughout the book, to make her more impactful and understandable. But still, things get resolved in a mostly satisfying way, if a little abruptly. And I liked the final scenes with Mari, too.

In the end, The Amalfi Curse is one of Penner’s best works yet. There’s a great balance of modern and historical detail, entertaining action scenes with pirates or underwater exploration, and moving emotional arcs. The themes of community, female empowerment, and care for the natural world shine through, and the characters are well written. I wasn’t entirely enamored with some of the last act, but overall found this to be a good read. If you like historical fiction with a bit of magic blended in, check this out!

The Amalfi Curse will be published on April 29th, 2025!