Hold onto your flower crowns, romantasy lovers—because Feather and Famine by Mariah L. Rosewood just redefined what it means to SLOW BURN.
This epic romantasy debut is book one in The Withering Saga, and if you’re into plant magic, grumpy love interests, fated prophecy, political sabotage, and an inclusive cast of characters who make terrible life decisions for the greater good—you’re going to want to bump this book to the top of your TBR.
🌿 Meet Ayse: A plant-loving, quietly powerful heroine with trauma in her past and fire in her heart. When she stumbles on a magical birch tree in the middle of a dying kingdom, she also meets…
🖤 Aiden: A grumpy, brooding tree guardian with secrets deeper than the roots of his precious birch. He’s emotionally unavailable, dangerous, and 100% the “touch her and die” trope in elf form.
🪻 Together? Sparks. Reluctance. Banter. And a bond neither of them saw coming.
💭 I’ll be honest—the beginning takes its time. The pacing is gentle, deliberate. The multiple POVs are slightly overwhelming at first, but once I adjusted to the rhythm, I was hooked. What felt like a slow build quickly unraveled into full-blown court intrigue, dangerous secrets, and a final act so tense I was chomping at the bit to know what happens next.
The world of Ittora is vividly drawn, with multiple magic systems, a strong political undercurrent, and fey/elf lore that feels fresh and complex. Rosewood doesn’t just give us a romantasy—she gives us a kingdom teetering on the edge, morally gray motivations, and characters who bleed across every page.
✨ This is romantasy with brains and heart. Diverse rep, thoughtful mental health themes, and a romance that knows how to simmer. You’ll want book two the second you turn the last page. Trust me.
📖 Feather and Famine is available now on Amazon. Run, don’t walk.
Reading Caffeinated 