⭐⭐⭐
The Amalfi Curse was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, especially after loving Sarah Penner’s The Lost Apothecary. But this one didn’t quite land for me. The setting? Gorgeous. The writing? Lyrical. The story? Well… here’s where things get murky.
I’ll admit, I should’ve paid closer attention to the synopsis. Witches and magical curses aren’t really my thing, and the sea-witch storyline just didn’t hold my interest. The dual timeline (1820s and present day) had promise, but the pacing lagged in spots, and I never fully connected with the characters—especially in the historical chapters.
I seem to be the odd one out here—early reviews are glowing, and fans of magical realism will probably love it. But for me, it just didn’t have the depth or emotional pull I was hoping for. I kept waiting for that spark I felt with The Lost Apothecary, but it never came.
Still, Penner’s lush descriptions of the Amalfi Coast were a highlight, and the ending wraps things up neatly. If mystical seaside covens are your jam, this might work better for you. As for me, I’ll chalk it up to a mismatch in taste. Three stars.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Publishing for a comp. The opinions are my own.