This is a beautiful love story and an interesting spin off from the Divine Rivals universe. For me, it was just too slow and too scattered. My favorite part was probably the last 15% because of the way the ending tied together so nicely.

"𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹."

Release Date: Sep. 02 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Themes:
• Gods falling in love with mortals
• Cruelty & betrayal
• Power & control
• Fighting for peace

The way I screamed (internally) when I was approved for this ARC!!! 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴 was something I really loved, and having the opportunity to read 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 early meant that this hopped to the top of my TBR.

The highlights in this story (to me) are Bade (god of war) and Adria (the poet queen). Bade is basically handed a fresh baby and he just goes "alright I guess she's mine now". Seeing him change from a raging god of violence to such a "my wife 🥰" man was glorious. But alas, Bade is not the center of our story here.

So, what happens when you are literally the girls of someone's dreams? Matilda was the light that pulled Vincent from his nightmares as a child only for her presence to be ripped on the night when he needed her most. Years later, Matilda climbs through his window with a letter from Death herself and bad omens waiting on the riverbank.

The mortal fight for lordship between Vincent and his uncle is a parallel to the different gods and all their meddling, back-stabbing ways. There is the absolute need for control and power, and the desire for freedom and comfort. This is reflected in both Vincent's uncle needing to be lord because "it should've been his" and how some gods will happily throw others down just to get a taste of more.

This is a top pick for my 2025! If you wanted more of the gods and lore of the Letters of Enchanment series, this will be everything and more.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, & Saturday Books for providing an eARC of 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. This review is entirely of my own opinion!

Normally a 600 page fantasy book would be overwhelming to me, but I felt like that page length was necessary to be able to fully immerse yourself in Matilda's world. I learned so much about the worlds in this book that I felt like I was Matilda myself! And can we talk about Vincent? SWOON! The friendship to romantic relationship was perfection, and I loved that both Matilda and Vincent showed time and time again that they would do anything for each other (and the constant support for each other no matter what absolutely drew me in). And alternating between both of their POVs made the story so. much. better! The world-building was immensely impactful and the descriptions of the worlds, people, places, etc were incredible. I fell in love with additional characters like Bade and Nathaniel, which proves just how incredibly written all characters were.

I felt such a broad range of emotions while reading this book that I actually had to take a break from reading because of what happens to toward the end of the book (I was so emotional I had to go get a tissue). WOW am I so excited to see what everyone else things when this comes out September 2nd! Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Ross, and St. Martin's Press|Saturday Books for allowing me to read the ARC!

This book was so beautiful—literal perfection. Ross wove an incredible tale of love between mortals and gods. This is a must-read if you loved Divine Rivals. Watching the relationship flourish between Vincent and Matilda was indescribable.

The worldbuilding was so interesting. I loved learning more about the different gods and how they lived and interacted. Again, if Divine Rivals was your thing, you will get to see many characters again. This is going to be in the running for my favorite book of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

The most immersive, gorgeous, and unique stories always come from Rebecca Ross & this is no exception. Wild Reverence was thoughtful, full of yearning, and was full of Ross’ signature writing style. It’s difficult to explain how her writing makes me feel, but hopeful is a good place to start. The characters were so intricate and the setting was majestically crafted. I will read anything Rebecca Ross writes.

Recently I finished Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross. I decided to give is a 4.5⭐️s.
I really did enjoy this book a whole lot. Everything about it made me feel like I was physically there.
The writing was beautiful and so was the magic system. The magic system wasn’t confusing to me at all, matter of a fact the system made sense in a way. I really do love this authors writing, and would read another book by her again.

Wild Reverence is a stunning prequel to Ross's Divine Rivals that follows the unlikely love story between Matilda, a newly-born herald of the gods, and Vincent, the mortal son of a lord.

Matilda is the last goddess to be born, daughter of the goddess of winter who refuses to reveal her father's identity. Caught between two warring god clans—the Underlings and Skywards—Matilda's parentage from both courts makes her position precarious. Her divine rank is determined by the stars in her constellation, and too many could make her a target. Though Death claims she belongs to the middle court while both her parents are high court, there's something else Death senses but can't quite grasp.

Told in alternating first-person perspectives across decades and multiple realms, the novel weaves together court intrigue, forbidden alliances, and the complex dynamics of divine politics. Only Matilda, as herald, can travel freely between all realms, making her both powerful and vulnerable.

Ross masterfully explores profound questions: What does it mean to tie yourself to someone? How do obligations through vows differ from those born of love? What does it mean to keep your word, regardless of the cost? The story balances heartache and sacrifice with genuinely happy moments, creating an emotionally rich narrative.

I was completely obsessed and couldn't put this book down—I had no idea it was a prequel until halfway through! Ross has crafted a simple yet sophisticated magic system anchored by compelling god/goddess lore and a love story that asks all the right questions to feel authentic and believable.

Highly recommended for fans of divine mythology, court intrigue, and romance that doesn't shy away from complex moral questions.

This was such a beautiful story. I was hooked since the first page and I could not put this down. While reading, it genuinely felt like I was watching a movie, the descriptions were so captivating. I was so invested on Matilda’s journey and how her powers kept developing. Also Matilda and Vincent’s intertwined lives was such a beautiful concept, I loved seeing them connect over and over again through the years :((

The epilogue made me so emotional, it was perfect. There’s so so so many great things I can say about this book but to sum it all up, I LOVED IT and it’s looking like it’s gonna end up being my favorite release this year 🥹

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this e-arc <3

This is quite simply one of the best books I’ve ever read. I never wanted it to end and yet I couldn’t read it fast enough. The way Rebecca Ross writes is unmatched. Pure poetry and art and I cannot WAIT for you all to fall in love with Matilda and Vincent like I did. The yearning and longing and tension? Omg. Life changing. And the way that she tied this story into the Divine Rivals world was so effortless and beautiful.

I was a sobbing mess for the last 25% of the book and I will remember this forever. Six stars for Wild Reverence ✨

Thank you SO so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Rebecca Ross for the opportunity to read this eARC. The following thoughts and opinions are my own.

Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows are two of my all-time favorite books, so when I saw that Rebecca Ross was releasing a prequel set in the same world, I jumped at the chance to read it.

The world-building at the beginning takes a little time to settle into, but once you're about 10% in, the story really takes off, and it doesn’t let up.

Wild Reverence follows a goddess, Matilda, as her life becomes entwined with that of a mortal, Vincent. I won’t spoil anything because the twists and turns are absolutely worth discovering on your own. This book is the perfect blend of star-crossed lovers, forbidden romance, and slow-burning yearning. Throw in meddling gods and court politics, and you’ve got a story so gripping you might just finish it in one sitting - like I did.

Wild Reverence is a heartbreakingly beautiful, intense, and magical ride. I’d recommend it to anyone!

I really, really love Rebecca Ross’s writing and I adore her MMCs (they’re pensive, loyal, kind, and strong, the kind of quiet hero that slips past your prickly defenses with his faithfulness and compassion). I thought the mythology was interesting and well-thought out, and I felt like I was inside the story as I read its words. I had some tiny quibbles which removed a modicum of enjoyment (and one star) for me, but otherwise a truly beautiful tale.

This is Rebecca Ross at her best! Her writing is lyrical and atmospheric, while also keeping me wholly engaged. I was transported into this world, and did not want to leave. This has been my favorite fantasy book I’ve read this year. Rebecca delivered a beautiful and gentle romance, mixed with a high stakes/ high magic fantasy. I loved it!

I really enjoyed Divine Rivals and I loved Wild Reverence even more. It was so interesting to see the worlds of the gods and goddesses and learn more about how their magic really works. I enjoying seeing parts of each of the realms and how each realm protected their secrets from the others. Even the less secretive mortal realm was not as well understood by the other realms. Matilda was such a perfect character to explore these realms with, not just because of the practical reasons from her goddess power but also her unique perspective on the realms and her peers. The way she experiences and expresses love throughout the books was also really interesting and seeing how it was shaped by each of the realms also offered more insight into the settings of the book. All the characters are richly written and their intrigue kept me glued to the page. I also loved how the last chapter of the book tied things into Divine Rivals, it both answers and raises several questions about what happens between Wild Reverence and Divine Rivals in a really satisfying and thought provoking way. This does also mean there are some spoilers, so I do think this series should be read in publishing order or you will go into Divine Rivals knowing some information the characters don't. That said I do also see how reading the works chronologically starting here would give you a different insight and perspective into the different realms and the magic system so if you're more intrigued by Wild Reverence you should be able to comfortably start your Letters of Enchantment reading here.

This book is so good & an improvement in all the right ways from Divine Rivals! It’s pretty cool that it’s set in the same world! I appreciate the advanced copy & it was such a treat to read! The author is talented & I can’t wait to read more books by her.

This was a beautiful book. The romance was everything. It was so perfect, I had tears in my eyes at the end. I really want to give this book 5 stars, but-it was too long. There was so much that was unnecessary that could have been cut out-especially her long back story. There was a build up to who her father was, for example, that turned out to be very anti-climactic. There are other mundane parts that could have been edited out to focus more heavily on the romance. These slow bits are what ruined Divine Rivals for me. They didn’t ruin this book thankfully, but kept it from being a five star read.

I highly recommend reading Wild Reverence for a solid Romantasy read. The plot was refreshing in so many ways. The romance felt pure with genuine love and no forced drama or love triangles. Matilda, the FMC, is a goddess but maintains relatability throughout and without the usual self-sabotage. Also, Bonus! Wild Reverence is a stand-alone (same world as Divine Rivals), so you're not committing to multiple books and being dragged along to find your resolution.

This book expanded on the world of Divine Rivals so much and for that I think I may have ended up enjoying it more. Since we read from the POV of a goddess, we learn a lot more backstory on the gods/goddesses and the intricacies of their magic. This made the world feel a lot more fleshed out.

The romance in this is written in classic Rebecca Ross style with the yearning and the beautiful prose. I will say I would have liked to see more of our main characters actually together. Since there were a lot of moving parts to the story, I felt like we didn’t get to spend a lot of time with them one on one. But either way, I really loved both of them and their relationship.

I appreciated that this was a standalone because while it is longer, I found the pacing to be perfect to tell this story. The author weaves in so many details throughout that end up being important later on, making the entire book feel very thought out. Would highly recommend even if you haven’t read Divine Rivals!

This was interesting. It wasn’t my favorite book ever, but it felt like a good departure from what I was expecting after Divine Rivals. I really liked the nature element of it and how it enter wind with the plot. It’s a solid read for people who are looking for something that isn’t as flashy as some of the Romantasy out there right now.

I absolutely adore Rebecca Ross’s writing and story telling, however this book took awhile for me to get invested in the story unlike her other books. I enjoyed the plot and the characters however they didn’t capture me as much as her other stories have which could just be me. I did really enjoy it after about 50% when it started to pick up a bit.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Genre: Mythic Fantasy
Series: Standalone, prequel to Letters of Enchantment duology

What I Liked
Rebecca Ross swept me away with this one! I loved her writing style. It was enchanting, intimate, and yet somehow reserved at the same time. Matilda is a fascinating protagonist. She is a born goddess who learns what it means to come into her power and also how to interact with the various realms, including mortals. Her primary arc revolved around discovering what it means to be known and loved, an appropriate message for everyone.

Vincent doesn’t have a personality beyond loving Matilda. And I was okay with that, because Matilda is enchanting. Her and Vincent’s relationship was sweet. It held just the right amount of tension as they explored their old-new relationship and love for one another. Their love was tastefully written, never crude or crass, but intimate while remaining respectful of sensitive readers.

I also loved Matilda’s relationship with Bade. He is a father to her by more than blood, and it was beautiful to see their relationship become clearer over time.

Ross’ worldbuilding is amazing. It just gets better and better. It’s flawless in its execution, gradually building the world without ever feeling dumped on. Her writing style is stunning. Lyrical, ethereal, and mystical. Sometimes a bit formal, but always intimate and romantic. It is descriptive and lush without ever feeling bogged down. I want to re-read it simply to savour the beauty of Ross’ sentences.

Content Warnings
General Rating: Teen+ (14A / PG-13)
Note: This is an adult novel, but the content warning level is deemed appropriate for older teenage readers
Spice Rating: Mild
There are a couple of intimate open-door scenes in ch. 68 and 84, but they are written non-explicitly and without graphic details. Ross writes in such a way that a naive reader could entirely miss the implications of these scenes. No references to anatomy, no crude language.
Violence Rating: Moderate
War violence, attempted murder, attempted suicide, death of a parent, death of a child, murder, and physical abuse are all present.
Profanity Rating: None

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! Wild Reverence is being published Sept 2, 2025, and will be available wherever you buy your books.