Tag: Historical Fiction

PLOT & PACING
The story alternates between Haven Ambrose—a modern-day underwater archaeologist searching for treasure located by her late father—and Mari DeLuca, a 17th-century sea witch, descended from the mythological sirens, trying to save her village from looters and pirates. The early chapters promise intrigue and a moody Mediterranean mystery, but as the plot unfolds, the stakes begin to soften. The final act leans heavily into sentimentality, with a climax that feels more like a moral lesson than a satisfying payoff. Still, the premise is fun, and the journey offers enough sparkle to carry readers along.

CHARACTER & VOICE
Haven is easy to root for: smart, driven, and grieving. Her story is the stronger of the two timelines, grounded in real-world urgency and peppered with academic ambition. Mari’s chapters, while romantic and magical, sometimes feel underdeveloped by comparison. Villains like Conrad and Gage could have been explored more deeply—they had the potential for real tension but remained fairly one-note. Meanwhile, the Fratelli Mazza, the brothers who dominate black market trade in the Amalfi Coast during Mari’s time are quite nefarious. Holmes, Mari’s lover, exists mostly as a device. Still, Haven’s growth and emotional arc provide a solid anchor for the novel.

STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Penner’s style is lush and accessible, bringing Positano’s cliffside beauty and underwater mysteries to life. The sea is practically a character in its own right—brimming with power, myth, and secrets. The chapters flow smoothly, and while the romantic thread feels a bit obvious at times, the setting and structure carry the weight. It’s a breezy read with flashes of magic and wonder.

THEMES & DEPTH
Grief, legacy, and the question of what we inherit—emotionally and spiritually—run deep here. The concept of stregheria (sea witchcraft) is intriguing, and Penner makes it feel plausible without overexplaining. But the deeper questions—about greed, exploitation, and who gets to control history—don’t get quite enough exploration. The ending, while warm, feels a bit too tidy, with the final message landing somewhere between Hallmark and happily-ever-after.

PERSONAL TAKE
As someone who loved The Lost Apothecary, I enjoyed the familiar structure and tone. I was especially drawn to Haven’s underwater exploration and the archaeological elements—I just wish there’d been more of it. Less romance, more ruins. The setting was a dream, and I wanted to spend more time diving with Haven, dodging danger, and piecing together the mystery. Still, there’s a charm to how Penner spins magic along the gorgeous Amalfi Coast.