Ross's writing once again shines in this return to the world of the Letters of Enchantment dualogy.

Following Matilda, the herald of the gods, was so entertaining and Ross differentiated between the three realms seamlessly. In comparison to the romance in the Letters of Enchantment dualogy, I found Matilda and Vincent's story gut-wrenching and more of a slow burn. While the romance is essential to the story, I was drawn more to Matilda's growth as an individual character. Her relationship with Bade and how she adapted to use the other gods to her advantage were some of my highlights.

At points, the plot stagnated and took me out of the narrative, but regardless of those moments, this book thoroughly met and exceeded my expectations. I also loved all the call backs to Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows because Iris and Rowan, while mortals, are god tier yearners.

As a huge fan of the Divine Rivals duology, this prequel completely delivered. It's a brilliantly subversive story that had me hooked from the very first page. Without a doubt, it's one of my top reads of the year. I loved every second of it!

Rebecca Ross delivers once again with this captivating and poetic epic fantasy. Wild Reverence follows Matilda, the goddess of Underling and herald to the gods, and Vincent, a mortal man whose fate has been entwined with hers long before they ever met. Set before the events of Divine Rivals, this prequel expands the world with rich, intricate lore and deepens the stories of characters we already knew, simultaneously introducing complex and compelling new ones. It offers the sweeping, high-stakes fantasy elements I had been craving from Divine Rivals—and then some.
This book completely blew me away. A must-read for fans of The Letters of Enchantment series!

I loved this book so much! I read it in one sitting and it stayed with me for some time. I loved how it tied into the divine rivals story but stood on its own strength. The love story was wonderful! Well done Rebecca Ross! Well done!

ugh this book wrecked me in such a good way. like with many of rebecca ross’ books, I had to force myself to take breaks reading this so I could prolong the end. I was so attached to the characters by the end of this. I almost wish this had been a duology or a series because I loved the world she built and the lore she developed. This was as sweeping and dramatic and romantic as a river enchanted and so. heartbreaking. the yearning! ugh! be still, my heart.

I am definitely in the minority with this review! But I am DNFing at 40%. I LOVE Rebecca Ross, to be clear. Her writing is absolutely stunning, and this book is no exception. I loved the worldbuilding, the magic, the depth of the character building. I just found it to be incredibly slow. And when I set it down, I found myself not motivated to pick it back up. I could see myself revisiting it later, but for now, I am releasing myself to read other things that excite me!

When I read the Divine Rivals duology, I was always interested in learning more about the gods, who we don't get to see too much of in the main series, despite them being the reason why the war is happening. I was so excited to get an early copy of this, and, as is typical for me when I get a new Rebecca Ross book, I finished it in one sitting. I liked that this was adult: I think it gave Ross the ability to make the world just a little more brutal, as well as give extra attention to the romance between Matilda and Vincent. The tone of this book is actually so similar to books like Circe that retell the lives of Greek goddesses, which I really liked. The love story is, in classic Rebecca Ross fashion, bittersweet and devastating.

There are some five stars that slap me in the face and leave me with my jaw on the floor and sweating from the stress. Then, there are some five star books that quietly creep into my heart and create a permanent home there. This book was definitely the latter experience for me. There is something so quietly powerful about Rebecca Ross' writing that can truly not be compared to any other author I have read. The way she writes is so emotional and evocative. I always feel immediately immersed in her stories and it is like I am there with the characters.

Divine Rivals is a book that has stayed with me even years after reading it. I think about Iris and Roman constantly, and now Matilda and Vincent will join their ranks. There is always something so sweet and endearing about the romances that Rebecca writes. Her romances are never flashy or loud. They speak from the soul and make you believe in love.

What I also really loved about this book was it was sort of about unexpected heroes. You have Matilda who is a goddess that no one really takes as a threat, and then you have Vincent who is the third son of a lord. So many fantasy books these days are about "the chosen ones" who are loud and demanding and all-powerful. This book felt very different from these other stories and it was a breath of fresh air. Neither of the main characters are invincible and they have weaknesses. This made them more relatable and made the story more sincere.

One thing about Rebecca Ross? She’s got me!

“For anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love” I should’ve known from the dedication this book was gonna be painful 😭

This is simply a beautiful book. Rebecca’s writing is just utterly spectacular, transporting you so easily into the setting of her stories. This is a book where you can just tell the author put their whole heart and soul in it. It bleeds through the pages. There’s so many quotes I have highlighted that took my breath away!

Wild Reverence is a sort of prequel to Divine Rivals (one of my favorite books of literally all time) and we get ALLLLL the interesting lore about the gods and their dynamics. The first portion of this book takes place when Matilda and Vincent are teens, but it felt necessary to establish the characters and stakes.

As always, Ross is fantastic at writing YEARNING characters. The goddess x mortal trope in the books is sooo good and there’s another trope I know people will eat up but I don’t want to spoil it! Another character I absolutely loved was Bade. He was easily the best side character and I didn’t expect to fall in love with him and his story as much as I did 🥹 The last 10% or so of this book was just stunning and I cannot wait to reread via audio in September! Thank you Saturday Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me early access to this treasure! While this is the first book I’ve read by Rebecca Toss I do own at least four others, two which are directly connected to the world in this book. I have been on a major fantasy kick lately and this book did not disappoint. It had all the elements I look forward to in a great romantasy—romance, grief, trauma, abuse, betrayal, secrecy, yearning, selflessness, found family, greed—and all of them executed perfectly. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has read Divine Rivals as this is a prequel and provides insight into the lives of the gods in Skyward and Underling. I will most definitely be purchasing this book once it is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Rebecca Ross has proven again why I love her books so much. When reading, they take you on an emotional journey through the poetic nature of her writing, which feels so profoundly impactful that sometimes you forget you are reading an entire story.

Such is the case with Wild Reverence. If you loved Divine Rivals, you will love this one. Wild Reverence serves as a prequel to the Letters of Enchantment duology, offering readers insight into the world of the gods and the moral realm through the eyes of the young goddess, Mathilda, and Vincent, the mortal lordling who steals her heart. This novel delves into the origins of the gods' conflict, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the world Ross has meticulously crafted in the duology.

I loved everything about this book and couldn't put it down once I started reading. More than anything, as a lover of words, I appreciate how Ross continues the theme of letter writing and messages throughout, which highlights the importance of the relationship between Mathilda and Vincent, as well as Mathilda's relationships with the others in the book.

My ABSOLUTE favorite read of the year. Wow. The world building was immaculate. The detail and how Ross weaved all of these gods and goddesses relationship’s was so intricate and exciting! From start to finish this was a book you stay up until 2am multiple nights in a row for. I absolutely loved the duology of Divine Rivals and Ruthless Bows but I will say I think I loved this one even more! In this universe we are dropped into the immortals world unlike the previous books where were primarily about the humans world. We get this super intriguing look at the under realm and sky realm and how they interact with the mortal realm. The love story was perfection. Our heroine is this coming of age, strong, fierce but loving goddess. Her character journey was absolutely amazing. This will be the read of the year!

Thank you NetGalley SO much for an eARC.

This is a perfect fit for fans of Strange the Dreamer.

Rebecca Ross has a beautiful and lyrical way of writing and I wanted to love this one a lot more than I did. I found the beginning hard to get into, even though I did enjoy the God aspects and back story of it. I enjoyed Matilda connecting with Vincent through dreams. Her relationship with Bade, the God of War was well done as well.

I think overall Wild Reverence was a solid read if not a lengthy one. I just couldn’t find myself getting hooked but, that’s okay. Not every book is for every reader. My warm regards to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read early.

The magical prequel to Rebecca Ross’ bestselling Divine Rivals duology- and yes it was as good as expected.
It was hard for me to get through cause I was pushing myself through it (because I wasn’t in the right reading mood) but even with that annoyance, the book was still amazing and magical. Honestly, for this book to still get 4 stars is hella impressive cause not every author can enchant me when I’m not in the right mood for your book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for an eARC of this book!!

This book was a slow burn for me. I love Rebecca’s prose and how she weaves stories, but at the beginning I was an outsider looking in, curious to see this world and how it worked. As I continued to read, my heart gave itself to Matilda, to Vincent, to Bade… I was invested. I started to envision how it would all tie together and my heart soared. Needless to say, the payoff was worth it. I cried my way through the last chapters. It was a slow burn kind of love… if you love Divine Rivals, you’ll enjoy seeing some of its origins and meeting the gods who shaped this world. And if you’re looking for an enduring love that isn’t fickle, one that will pull at your heart strings, you have to read for them.

“One day, I would perish, and she would live on, endless as the stars. But if we were doomed, then let us fully embrace it.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Saturday Books for the review copy.

Rebecca Ross has done it again! Wild Reverence is a beautifully written adult high fantasy novel set in the mythical setting familiar to readers of the Divine Rivals duology. However, you don't have to read those two books first in order to read and understand this one. If you love fantasy and mythology, you'll enjoy this book!

My Impressions: The over-arching genre for this book is mythical high fantasy. If you are looking for a book that is primarily romantasy, this book is not it. Clocking in at over 550 pages, it took me many hours of deliberate reading to get through it. There were many heavy world-building details, which I thought were very well done, but may not be what some readers are expecting after reading the Divine Rivals duology. Keep in mind the DR series was YA, and this one is adult fantasy. The primary difference between those here, in my opinion, is the heavier fantasy content. This isn't a light read. It's serious and there's nothing cute or funny about it. That being said, it is beautifully written and an incredible book. The way Rebecca wove together different elements through the book and tied it all together is a work of art.

As for the romance, I felt like the main character Matilda made the book by herself. She didn't really need Vincent, and his role in the book was very secondary. I didn't really feel their connection, and they didn't spend much time together.

Parts of this book felt like a 5 star read, and I definitely think many fantasy readers will give it 5 stars. Due to the book length (felt excessive and slow at times), my personal enjoyment, and lower chemistry/time spent between Vincent and Matilda, I'm landing on 4 stars here.

Content Considerations: No profanity, one open door sex scene with mild details and two other quick sex scenes. Most of the details are non-explicit but implied, but there are a few more details than her YA books. One LGBT side couple.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

ahhh I requested this without knowing its the prequel to the DR series and i haven't read those yet!!! I stopped reading this when I learned that because I was told I'd understand everything happening if I read those first and then this one. I liked what i read so far for this one but I don't wanna finish it before reading the other DR books. This is my fault 100%. Sorry!

Rating: 4.5/5
Rebecca Ross has done it again—Wild Reverence is a breathtaking return and poignant conclusion to the Divine Rivals universe.
This novel follows the intertwined journeys of Matilda and Vincent. Matilda, an underling goddess, stands apart from the rest of the divine. Born of both Skyward and Underling lineage, she has only six stars to her name—far fewer than many others—and lacks the unmistakable, showy power of the higher gods. Instead, her abilities are subtle and often overlooked. She is a Herald, gifted with messenger magic that allows her to travel between the three realms—Mortal, Underling, and Skyward—and deliver messages across them. In a world obsessed with strength and spectacle, Matilda’s magic proves that words can be the most powerful force of all.
Vincent, the other central character, is mortal. The two first meet in dreams, forging a deep connection without ever encountering each other in the real world. When Matilda suddenly disappears from Vincent’s dreams, their paths diverge—until fate draws them back together. Matilda must then face a painful decision: protect her heart behind the walls she’s built, or risk everything by letting Vincent in.
The magic system in Wild Reverence is intricate and captivating. Divine power is determined by the number of stars a god is born with, each constellation mapping out their status in the celestial hierarchy. Ross’s prose is nothing short of lyrical. Every sentence feels like poetry—emotive without being overwhelming. Her writing resonates deeply, wrapping around your heart and echoing in your soul.
This isn’t a fast-paced or action-packed story, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s tender, immersive, and quietly powerful.
My only critique is that the beginning can feel a bit confusing due to the unique terminology and slow pacing. But once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes impossible to put down.
Wild Reverence is a love letter written in stardust—haunting, magical, and unforgettable.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This book was a treasure, and it will stay with me forever.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's press for an Advanced Readers Copy. I really loved the world of Divinal Rivals and Ruthless Vows so I couldn't wait to see what Rebecca Ross had in store for Wild Reverence!

This was an incredible prequel. While divine rivals focuses on the mortals in a war between gods, we get way more of the world building and god lore in Wild Reverence! It was SO interesting to see this part of the world explored. We even see Dacre and Enva, gods who are the main players in the original duology. This book could very easily be read first before jumping into the duology. All the parts that may pop up and relate to the other two books felt like perfect little Easter eggs!

I think the pacing of this one was definitely slower and I found myself a bit bored in the middle, but the ending absolutely destroyed me. I think i will definitely have a soft spot in my heart for Matilda and Vincent. I can't wait for my copy to arrive when it finally publishes! I'll have to dive in for another reread of the whole series i think.

4.5 stars!

I found the book to be quite slow with too much irrelevant detail and not enough of the relevant. Unfortunately was a DNF at about 35 percent in.