Sarah Penner, author of the New York Times bestseller “The Lost Apothecary,” returns with a spellbinding tale that weaves together past and present in her newest novel, “The Amalfi Curse.” Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this story combines elements of historical fiction, magical realism, and romantic suspense into a narrative as enchanting as the azure waters it describes.
A Dual Timeline That Ebbs and Flows
Penner masterfully alternates between two timelines: 1821 Positano, where we follow Mari DeLuca, a reluctant sea witch (strega del mare) whose powers control the ocean’s currents, and present-day, where nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose arrives in the same picturesque village, seeking to complete her late father’s mission to discover hidden treasure among the shipwrecks surrounding the Li Galli islets.
The interwoven narratives mirror each other with remarkable symmetry. Both protagonists struggle with loss—Mari mourning her mother and sister, Haven grieving her father—and both find themselves drawn to men who challenge their perspectives. For Mari, it’s the American sailor Holmes Foster; for Haven, it’s the charismatic dive shop owner Enzo Rossi. Through these parallels, Penner explores themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the lengths we go to honor those we’ve lost.
Characters with Depth and Dimension
What elevates “The Amalfi Curse” above many historical fantasies is Penner’s talent for creating multi-dimensional characters whose motivations feel authentic despite their extraordinary circumstances:
- Mari DeLuca – A reluctant strega finisima (the most powerful sea witch) who despises the very ocean she commands after it claimed her mother and sister
- Holmes Foster – An American sailor whose detailed journal entries reveal a man of principle caught in the dangerous machinations of corrupt shipping magnates
- Haven Ambrose – A determined nautical archaeologist whose professional ambitions intertwine with a deeply personal mission to honor her father’s final wish
- Enzo Rossi – The dive shop owner whose connection to Haven feels both immediate and weighted with consequences beyond their understanding
- Savina Rossi – Enzo’s mother whose grief-driven decisions threaten the entire Amalfi region
Each character’s journey feels distinct yet interconnected, with their choices rippling across time in ways that serve the novel’s exploration of how the past influences the present.
Strengths and Standout Elements
Meticulous Historical Research
Penner’s attention to historical detail is exceptional, particularly in her depiction of early 19th-century maritime life. The technical aspects of sailing vessels, the hierarchical structure aboard merchant ships, and the economic realities of coastal Italian villages are rendered with precision that brings authenticity to the fantastical elements of the story.
The Magic System
The novel’s approach to stregheria (Italian witchcraft) feels fresh and specific to its setting. The streghe del mare use various tools—hagstones, belemnite fossils, and shark egg cases—to perform spells that influence the ocean. Most impressive is how Penner connects this magic to the region’s actual maritime history, suggesting that the legendary dangers of sailing near Li Galli might have supernatural origins.
Atmospheric Prose
Penner’s descriptive language is transportive, especially when depicting the Amalfi Coast’s natural beauty:
“I’d never seen ocean like this. I’d never seen blue like this.”
Her prose shifts between Mari’s more formal, historical voice and Haven’s contemporary perspective without jarring the reader, maintaining the novel’s immersive quality throughout both timelines.
Areas That Could Have Been Strengthened
Pacing Challenges
While the dual timeline structure succeeds overall, the contemporary storyline occasionally stalls, particularly when Haven becomes preoccupied with archive research. These sections, though necessary for the plot, lack the tension and immediate stakes of either the historical timeline or Haven’s underwater scenes.
Character Development Inconsistencies
Some secondary characters receive uneven development. Mal, Haven’s dive marshal and best friend, serves primarily as a sounding board rather than a fully realized character with her own arc. Similarly, in the historical timeline, Paola’s jealousy and eventual betrayal feel somewhat underdeveloped compared to more nuanced characters like Ami or Imelda.
The Villains’ Motivations
The Mazza brothers, while effectively menacing, sometimes fall into one-dimensional antagonist territory. Their desire to control the streghe makes logical sense within the plot, but deeper exploration of their personal motivations would have added greater complexity to the conflict.
Thematic Currents and Undercurrents
“The Amalfi Curse” successfully navigates several thought-provoking themes:
- The burden of inherited power – Both Mari and Savina struggle with powers they didn’t choose but must reconcile with their identities
- Grief and its distorting effects – The novel sensitively portrays how loss can warp our perspectives and drive destructive choices
- The tension between tradition and personal choice – Mari’s rejection of her arranged marriage to Corso parallels Haven’s decision to pursue her father’s mission against professional advice
- Female agency in historically restrictive contexts – The streghe represent a hidden tradition of female power operating beneath patriarchal structures
These thematic elements provide emotional resonance that elevates the novel beyond its supernatural premise.
For Fans of Historical Magic and Maritime Mystery
Readers who enjoyed Penner’s debut “The Lost Apothecary” will find familiar elements here—historical women with secret powers, dual timelines, and feminine solidarity across generations—but “The Amalfi Curse” expands her narrative scope considerably. The novel should appeal to fans of:
- Susanna Kearsley’s time-slip romances with historical detail
- Paula Brackston’s “The Witch’s Daughter” and other historical witch narratives
- Katherine Howe’s blend of historical fiction and the supernatural
- Erin Morgenstern’s atmospheric magical realism
Final Assessment: A Bewitching but Imperfect Adventure
“The Amalfi Curse” succeeds as both a historical mystery and contemporary adventure, with its unique magical system and vivid setting creating an immersive reading experience. Penner effectively balances historical fiction conventions with elements of romance and supernatural intrigue, resulting in a novel that feels both familiar and fresh.
The book’s strongest moments come when the historical and contemporary timelines illuminate each other—when Haven’s discoveries reveal new dimensions to Mari’s story, and when Mari’s choices echo forward through time to impact Haven’s journey. These resonances create satisfying payoffs for readers engaged with both narratives.
While some pacing issues and character development inconsistencies prevent the novel from achieving perfection, “The Amalfi Curse” remains a compelling addition to the growing subgenre of historical fiction that reimagines women’s secret powers throughout history. Sarah Penner continues to establish herself as a voice to watch in historical fiction with magical elements.
Strengths:
- Immersive dual timeline structure
- Unique, well-developed magic system
- Vivid Italian coastal setting
- Engaging central characters
- Meticulous historical research
Room for Improvement:
- Occasional pacing issues
- Some underdeveloped secondary characters
- Somewhat predictable romantic subplot
For readers seeking an escape to the sun-drenched shores of the Amalfi Coast—with a healthy dose of history, romance, and magic—”The Amalfi Curse” delivers a reading experience as refreshing as a dive into the Mediterranean on a summer day. Penner’s talent for historical detail and magical invention makes this a worthy follow-up to her debut and suggests exciting possibilities for whatever shore her imagination might next explore.