The Amalfi Curse: A Bewitching Tale of Sunken Treasure, Forbidden Love, and Ancient Magic on the Amalfi Coast
"Sarah Penner transported me to the sea-swept cliffs of Positano and introduced me to characters I'll never forget. A magical read!"
--Emilia Hart, New York Times bestselling author of Weyward
Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse...
Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven's arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?
As Haven searches for her father's sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman's quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano's latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever...
Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.
--Emilia Hart, New York Times bestselling author of Weyward
Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse...
Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven's arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?
As Haven searches for her father's sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman's quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano's latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever...
Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.
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Community Reviews
Having spent my high school years in Naples, I was uniquely drawn to The Amalfi Curse, especially as a fan of Sarah Pennerâs previous books. Her knack for blending history with magical realism made this one of my most anticipated reads, and it didnât disappoint in delivering a vivid and immersive escape. Positano, with its sun-drenched cliffs and winding streets, comes alive on the page, making you want to book a flight immediately. Pennerâs ability to weave real-life history with a supernatural twist remains one of her strongest strengths, and the premise of this book is both unique and intriguing.
If you enjoyed The London Séance Society or The Lost Apothecary, this one will feel like slipping into familiar and delightful territory. Pennerâs signature style of combining rich historical detail with a touch of magic is fully on display here, offering a similarly captivating reading experience.
That said, the story does ask the reader to suspend disbelief more than a few times. Everything ties together a little too perfectly, which undercuts the stakes the characters are so focused on. Itâs fun, but it doesnât feel as high-pressure as it could have.
On the romance front, I found myself wanting more from Haven and Enzo. Their connection felt rushed, leaning heavily on the âinstaloveâ trope. I wanted more time to see their bond develop rather than being told they had a deep connection. It also didnât help that Savinaâafter just one dateâstarted talking to Haven about marriage and grandchildren. It felt oddly out of place, and Haven not being weirded out by it was perhaps even stranger.
Another aspect I wished had been explored further was the connection between Savina, Enzo, and the streghe of the past. Penner sets up a fascinating link between the characters and the regionâs history, but I wouldâve loved more insight into how they were tied to the streghe and their legacy.
Overall, this is an entertaining and fast read that offers an enchanting escape. It may not be perfect, but its charm, unique concept, and lush setting make it an enjoyable journey. Fans of Pennerâs previous work wonât want to miss it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sharing an advanced readerâs copy of this gripping novel in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoyed The London Séance Society or The Lost Apothecary, this one will feel like slipping into familiar and delightful territory. Pennerâs signature style of combining rich historical detail with a touch of magic is fully on display here, offering a similarly captivating reading experience.
That said, the story does ask the reader to suspend disbelief more than a few times. Everything ties together a little too perfectly, which undercuts the stakes the characters are so focused on. Itâs fun, but it doesnât feel as high-pressure as it could have.
On the romance front, I found myself wanting more from Haven and Enzo. Their connection felt rushed, leaning heavily on the âinstaloveâ trope. I wanted more time to see their bond develop rather than being told they had a deep connection. It also didnât help that Savinaâafter just one dateâstarted talking to Haven about marriage and grandchildren. It felt oddly out of place, and Haven not being weirded out by it was perhaps even stranger.
Another aspect I wished had been explored further was the connection between Savina, Enzo, and the streghe of the past. Penner sets up a fascinating link between the characters and the regionâs history, but I wouldâve loved more insight into how they were tied to the streghe and their legacy.
Overall, this is an entertaining and fast read that offers an enchanting escape. It may not be perfect, but its charm, unique concept, and lush setting make it an enjoyable journey. Fans of Pennerâs previous work wonât want to miss it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sharing an advanced readerâs copy of this gripping novel in exchange for an honest review.
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