I am a big fan of Ross' writing for adults, and I've read the first in her Divine Rivals series, so this may be an issue with me where I wasn't familiar enough with this world to get more of the nuance, but this book fell flat for me. I think Ross writes beautifully, so I enjoyed the prose, but I felt the world building, character work and action were missing to keep me invested. I'm not a huge romance person either, but even for that I felt the romance in this was stilted and lacking. This story takes place well before the events of the Divine Rivals series, with Matilda being born as a messenger of the gods. The first part of the book details her childhood where she meets and has a connection with a mortal. In the later parts of the book where she's an adult we see the consequences of that romance and how it shapes the world of the mortals and the gods. I just wasn't very invested in the characters or the story for this one, but again this could be just because I'm not as plugged into this world.

ARC Read: Thank you Rebecca Ross and St. Martin’s Publishing for allowing me to read the book for an honest review!

Review:
I am at a loss for words… I have been trying to process, still, all the emotions this book had me feeling!

Rebecca Ross’ writing was so beautiful poetic throughout this story, the entire time I was captured. I was lost in this world, from the tales that were spun of the gods to the intense love I had for the MC’s AND the side ones!

I never read Divine Rivals or Ruthless Vows, but if this prequel has done anything it’s that it fully convinced me I was…
1. Completely missing out!
2. That I will be reading them right after this review posts. Not just adding to my TBR and hoping I get to it soon, but jumping right back into the world that has had me in a choke hold the past week.

Glows:
1. The way this book is written so poetically, but so easy to read made me dub Rebecca Ross as the Poet Queen because she truly conquered!
2. She made me feel so many things for these characters. Complete awe, shock, joy, heartbreak, then joy again, then completely torn to shreds. The entire time though you knew without a doubt that she would pull you from the water like Matilda.
3. If I could pick one part where I knew this book would be turning into one of my favorites it would have to be her reading of Vincent’s dreams. I knew right then I was doomed! As wrapped up as Matilda was reading his dreams I was devouring them. Every chapter I wanted more of this fated love, and all the ways he sought out her presence.

Grow:
1. This might be an unpopular opinion, but my love for Bade goes so deep that I wanted more of him. I also know that would have taken away from the conclusion of the story but at the end I wanted to see him actually look upon Matilda and I wanted to feel all the emotions that went through him after all that happened.
Honestly, though I could be sounding really dumb if he is a man contributor to Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, so if he is then definitely ignore the grow!

All in all, I think between the story and the quotes I now have forever tattooed in my brain I will be giving this book a solid 4.75 ⭐️ and would 100% read this book again and again!

Rating: 4.75⭐️
Spice: 1/5 🌶️ (It’s there, but there isn’t any graphic detail but it’s also not brushed over closed door or fade to black.)
TW: murder, death, abuse, domestic violence, gore but not graphic, very mild sexual content.

[Thank you to Saturday Books, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]

My initial thought was just, wow. This is a story that you absolutely have to savor.

Ross feels like one of the goddesses, weaving her words like a tapestry. Her writing is lyrical, making you feel entranced and cozy. The vivid descriptions meant I could easily imagine each character and setting. I’m in awe that Ross was able to not only write a brilliant sequel but have it perfectly set up the next book.

The love story between Matilda and Vincent was tender and beautiful. It’s a slow burn filled with yearning. Even with all the secondary characters (a list of characters and which realm they exist in is provided in the beginning of the book), it was easy to recall details about each one because they were given such depth.

It feels like there’s a me before reading this story and a me after finishing it. I had to lie down afterwards because the last 10% had me feeling every possible emotion. The epilogue is hands down one of the best I’ve ever read.

Honestly, it was all so enchanting and you need to read this book as soon as possible.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book 💖

wild reverence is enchanting, emotional, and exquisite.

“But love amongst gods makes us vulnerable. It is a weakness. A map of fault lines that instructs enemies where they can strike to wound us, deeply”

💌🪻✨

i don’t think i can adequately put my feelings for this book into words but ill try. if you loved divine rivals and want more, this gives to you. we’re in the same world and it truly feels like being back at home in the story.

we follow matilda, a goddess from the underrealm. and vincent, a mortal. their life threads are woven together by the gods.

tropes: mortal x god, marriage of convenience

we get to learn more about the gods from divine rivals and their magic. the story starts with matilda as a young girl, and as she learns all the ins and outs of her world as do we. because of this the story is slow to start, but once we have a solid foundation it really kicks off and i couldn’t put it down.

the characters gripped me and i fell more and more in love with them as the pages kept turning. some of the secondary characters held just as much weight to me (im talking to you Bade).

i truly love Rebecca’s writing, especially when it comes to divine rivals- and this made me want to go and reread divine rivals again! there are so many hidden little clues that can be found throughout the story if you’ve read divine rivals prior. but if you haven’t then it’ll set it up perfectly.

it had me crying, smiling, and angry at times but all the best books do!

I would love to live inside of Rebecca Ross' head because everything I've ever read from her is full of lyrical prose and makes me want to live inside of that book. I didn't want to put it down but I also didn't want it to end, this was one of my most anticipated books of this year and it did not disappoint.

This book felt like it was Matilda's story that just happened to include Vincent, and I completely adored that. The story felt ethereal and delicate while still having so much depth with everything Matilda had to go through. It feels like Rebecca Ross pulled off the impossible. It feels like a story that has been passed down for generations and it continually left me feeling absolutely everything.

I don't care what it is, Rebecca Ross will always be a must read for me and this just proves it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday books for the ARC.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! i loved every part of this book, a new favorite of mine. it is set before and in the same world as divine rivals. i felt so much for the characters, feeling their pain as it was my own. i sobbed for 4 chapters straight😭 its just that good. i need more of this world and would love a book about bade 👀

Thank you to Saturday Books and Netgalley for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

I read Wild Reverence in the wake of finishing the Divine Rivals duology. It felt right to stay within the same universe. But in truth, while Wild Reverence might be set in the same universe as Divine Rivals, it couldn’t be more different from the beloved duology. The atmosphere felt so vastly different from the war torn trenches I had become familiar with.

As I read this story, I couldn’t help but be reminded of The Song of Achilles. Not because this is a story about gods but because of its retrospective writing. The prose was very lyrical and had an elevated and mature flow throughout the story.

I also really liked the main character. This story is told from a dual first person point of view and I really liked that I got glimpses of both Matilda and Vincent’s mind. I also really enjoyed their romance development. I also enjoyed the side characters and Matilda’s relationship dynamic with them.

I can’t pinpoint anything that made me not enjoy this story. Except that it didn’t grip me. While I enjoyed the story, especially the first half, I found myself unable to immerse myself in the second half and often skipped descriptions. I just wasn’t as invested as I had been at the beginning. Some parts dragged on for too long and I found myself impatient to read the part I knew was bound to come.

Overall, Wild Reverence is a great story with lots or romance and lots of action for readers to enjoy. But I do think readers who dearly loved the Divine Rivals duology should keep in mind that, while Wild Reverence is set in the same universe, it is vastly different from the duology.

4.25 stars!

Stunning, gorgeous, beautiful.

I’m a huge fan of Ross’s writing style and storytelling—there’s something so lyrical and immersive about the way she crafts her prose that immediately pulls you in. I love how flowery and evocative her language is; it makes for such a compelling reading experience. The characters were well developed. Every interaction felt charged with meaning or emotion, and I appreciated how much depth was conveyed through subtle gestures and dialogue. The ATMOSPHERE feels SO dreamlike—I just love it. You can almost feel the texture of the world she’s created—the sounds, the smells, the mood of it all makes you feel truly transported. I also thought the pacing was excellent. Each chapter flowed naturally into the next. There was a real sense of rhythm to the storytelling that made it hard to put down.

Overall, this was a beautifully crafted book—rich with emotion, layered in meaning, and filled with a kind of quiet power that lingers long after the final page. I’ll absolutely be recommending it and look forward to reading whatever’s next!

** Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review! **

If I could give this book infinity stars I would. This is my first Rebecca Ross book and even though this book has the same gods as The letters of enchantment duology, I feel you do not have to read that first to understand. But I will go back and read that duology because I need more. I was not lost at all. It follows Matilda an immortal gods who is finding her way and true self within her magic. She is unique, and stands out among the other gods. It’s also a beautiful love story with a mortal named Vincent. It’s a dual POV which I love. The way it is written you feel like you right there in their world, following them through everything they are going through, feeling what they are feeling. There is a lot of world building and it’s beautiful. There is a war and it’s gut wrenching. There is a love story that I have never read before. I received this an as ebook ARC and cannot wait to reread in physical book!

Rebecca Ross CAN WRITE NO BAD BOOK!

A young goddess with messenger magic and a mortal boy who has spent his life dreaming of her. When fate finally brings them together, their love ignites, but their story is anything but easy. Oh no, our girl Matilda endures EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING).

Wild Reverence was an absolute masterpiece!! Such an enchanting experience I know I’ll revisit again and again. I’m utterly in awe of Matilda and Vincent’s breathtaking love story, a tale crafted for the dreamers, the yearners, and the hopeless romantics. This book delivers everything I hoped for in Rebecca Ross’s debut adult romantic fantasy, and so much more.

I clung to every page, heart in my throat, desperate for Matilda to find her happiness with the one she loves. Their bond is the very essence of "you’ll move mountains for each other." It was beautiful and tender love story. I also appreciated and loved seeing this story tye into the original duology, Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows.

As always, Rebecca’s lyrical prose and lush storytelling swept me away. She has a gift for making hearts ache with longing, weaving words so beautifully that you can’t help but be completely enthralled.

WILD REVERENCE was everything I hoped it would be and more. A blend of Circe and Divine Rivals, the story catapulted me into a richly fleshed out world and insightful character development. I cannot say enough good things about this story.

Taking place in the same world as Divine Rivals, this story examines the world of the gods. It is told through the perspectives of the FMC, Matilda, and Vincent, the MMC. But to say it is just about this is a disservice to the story itself.

Ross creates a world that the reader will not want to escape from because of a variety of factors. It’s got an incredible story, with the characters growth not only tugging at the audience’s heart, but seeing the struggles of finding purpose, embracing one’s identity and destiny, and trying to honor the values and promises made to others. Told on in an incredibly rich world, which is fleshed out and explained in a way that is not information dumpy, Ross has created a masterpiece here.

The story of Matilda and Vincent, while a love story, is so much more and was one of the more beautiful things about this novel. It’s reminiscent of Iris and Roman, but with a new lens.

Overall, this book was amazing and I loved every second of it. If you love fantasy books about gods and goddesses, love stories, character growth, and deeper messages, this is a book you’ll need to read.

Thank you to Saturday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book. I very much enjoyed the almost prequel nature of the book and learning more about the gods that we hear about in the Letters of Enchantment series. The world building was amazing and the relationships between the characters was so well written. It made me want to live and hate them too. I did feel like the book was a bit long and a few parts dragged but overall a great read that took me back into the beautiful world Rebecca Ross built.

"Reverence is more than just ordinary respect; it involves a sense of profound admiration and wonder, often associated with something considered sacred or exceptional."

I cannot even put into words how much I enjoyed this book. I didn't want this to end! Whenever I read a book by Rebecca, it's like I'm watching a movie in my head. I felt attached with all of the characters throughout the story. I love the way Matilda was written for the FMC, the struggles she endured and overcame since birth. A very strong FMC! The worldbuilding made me feel as if I were there. I loved the magic system within the worlds of the gods and goddesses, the skywards and underlings. The magic system was intricate, but it wasn't difficult to understand for me. There were moments in the book where I posed some of the same questions for myself that Matilda and Vincent faced. There wasn't a moment that was rushed in this book, everything was a nice pace and I didn't have any questions when I finished. And that epilogue though? Oh my WORD. Perfection.

Earlier this year, I read Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows for the first time and fell in love. And if you're a fan of those?? Go ahead and put this on your TBR. Immediately.

Overall, Wild Reverance is a beautifully written book with characters you will fall in love with (just as I have) and a story that will have your heart in grip. WR easily slid it's way into my top ten favorite books.

Bless you, Rebecca, for this amazing book. May both sides of your pillow be cool forever.

And thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press, for my first ARC!

Immediately 5 stars! One of my TOP reads of the YEAR! This is the book I needed to get out of my reading slump. I was immediately hooked from the 1st chapter and completely invested in the story, This author has such a way with words and it’s absolutely beautiful! This author is now on my auto buy list, CANNOT wait to read more! Highly recommend.

I will not be forgetting this story ANYTIME soon. I don't think I have the proper words to convey just how much I loved this book. The prose was lyrical and poetic and evoked SO MUCH emotion in me as I was reading. As someone who had a hyper-fixation on all things gods and goddesses as a teen, the world building in this book was unlike anything I have ever read. It was rich and lush and just incredibly woven together.

I could have read about Matilda and Vincent forever. I will forever be haunted by their love story. A love story that spanned decades across a multitude of realms. They were everything and more. Matilda, I love you so. To see her grow into a goddess, and go through the trials that she did was heart-wrenching, but added so much depth and complexity to her character. I am in awe of her. The side characters had just as much depth as Matilda did. Vincent, Bade, Nathanial, and Adria were essential to Matilda's growth and understanding of her powers. I looooved the slow burn that occurred between Vincent and Matilda. The childhood friends to lovers is not a trope I read often, but it could not have been more perfect for a story like this. The yearning between these two? The love they had for each other?!!! It was everything!

This was unlike any fantasy I have read, and it will be sticking with me for a long time.

THANK YOU Net Galley & St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this ARC, I love this world and I now love each of these gods and their stories!
-Well maybe not 2 particular gods but that’s for the readers to decide. ;)

This book took me forever to read because I loved her (Matilda) so much, I didn’t want anything to possibly go wrong.

Spoiler: SH*T HITS THE FAN, repeatedly.

This couple is the definition of romance, I have never loved an FMC quite like her, she is a god-child that you learn and grow with throughout the story. She is plain and trusting and truly just innocent. You truly enjoy her time as a child and as she grows you just YEARN for her to be with her soul mate. I love Vincent so much, the love he has for her and has had for her since he was a boy. He memorized her constellation and draws it when he’s anxious, I quite literally cannot find words to describe how much I love their love.

Thank you, Rebecca I am so proud of their story and I love how you did it! I feel like there is now a nice bow on this world you introduced to with Divine Rivals!🤍

Thank you Rebecca and NetGalley for the arc!!

I unfortunately don’t think this story was for me and that’s ok! I really appreciate the obvious work that was put in for created this plot as I was truly impressed. It definitely seems like a big step up in complexity from Divine Rivals (which is already fantastic) so that for sure needed to get its credit. I will say I felt that I personally was not a fan of the pacing of the story and I think that’s why I couldn’t connect like I had expected to.

Rebecca truly is gifted in world building I will say that.

I am a huge fan of Rebeca Roth and the Divine Rivals books but to say I was so excited to get my hands on her new one would be a vast understatement!!

"Set in the world of the gods first introduced in Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross delivers a sweeping, beautiful adult novel filled with tension, romance, and dark secrets. (( True love is more divine, than any ruthless god. )) "

Synopsis: "Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods often kill each other to steal power and alliances break as quickly as they are forged, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry words and letters through the realms, but she holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest of allies to ensure her survival. And to complicate matters . . . there is a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met in the waking world. -- Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life―begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. When his request went unanswered, Vincent moved on, becoming the hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda. That is, until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him. --As Fate would have it, Matilda and Vincent were destined to find each other beyond dreams. There may be a chance for Matilda to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, but at immense sacrifice. She will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved.

I loved every minute of reading this book and cannot wait for more from her!
Thank you so much to R. Ross, the publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for a review!

This story reads like a dream you don’t want to wake from—where ancient magic, whispered secrets, and a forbidden connection collide in the most unexpected ways. Matilda and Vincent’s journey is tender, mysterious, and quietly epic, unfolding across realms with a kind of quiet intensity that lingers long after the last page.

Though steeped in divine politics, hidden power, and the violence of immortality, at its core this is a story about vulnerability, about choosing love in a world that worships strength. With prose that shimmers and a romance that feels both destined and deeply earned, this book is a spell you’ll be glad you let take hold.

A story for anyone who believes the most powerful magic of all is simply letting yourself be seen.

"To be a lone goddess surrounded by men, devastated from battle, was dangerous. For men are like enthralls; they are drawn to shining, quicksilvered things, keen to tame them."

Rebecca Ross plunges the reader deep into a world of gods, salt sworn oaths, and deadly rivalries. I felt enchanted by her writing from the very first chapter. Starting off from when the young goddess Matilda is but a child, she weaves us through the goddess's life, giving us small tastes of what may befall her in the chapters to come. The pantheon of gods and goddesses, Underlings and Skywards, are fascinating and entirely unique. Ross has crafted a world entirely of her own. The magic system is enchanting and immersive.

This is a love story that spans across worlds, building upon itself as the story unfolds. Their love feels entirely natural and yet not of this world. I devoured these pages, eager for more of Matilda's life as she grew into her power and into her destiny.

For anyone who did not connect with the Divine Rivals series, I urge you to pick this one up. The plot alone will enthrall you, followed by the dynamic characters, and the pacing. Incredible story, I can't wait to read what Ross does next.

"This is the beginning of the end, I thought. If heatless gods can be made soft by such love, we are all doomed."