The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner ~ a Review

by MK French

Nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose is searching through shipwrecks outside the village of Positano. Her late father had seen gemstones on his final dive, and she hopes to find it as she explores. Various misfortunes strike the town, and feels like a curse. This is especially the case when Haven discovers an old story of sorcery as a witch from Positano tried to save her lover and the village with stregheria, the magical ability to harness the ocean.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2025; Park Row; 978-0778308003
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); fantasy

The story is told with dual timelines. Haven in the present is looking forward to the dive from a professional and personal view, and is yanked off the prospective dive by the cautious board funding it. Instead, her father's colleague and rival is put into place. If she looks for her father's treasures, it's on her own. In the past, we have mostly Mari's point of view, the last witch directly descended from sirens. The pirates plaguing the area are closing in, and the occasional POV of her sailor lover Holmes gives us a look into seafaring life for the period. It's dangerous, especially for witches able to finesse the ocean current. 

We move back and forth between the timelines, slowly uncovering the present-day concerns and talk about the curse, and the past when the curse would have been laid down. The dangers in either timeline might be different, but both Haven and Mari are threatened by circumstances beyond their control. It's direct control that escapes them, but once they focus on the things that truly matter to them — family, legacy, and love for others — the way forward falls into place. I loved the novel and how it was woven together. It felt like visiting Italy and seeing the ocean, too.

Buy The Amalfi Curse at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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