Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this free ebook ARC.

This book was absolutely beautiful. Rebecca Ross's prose from Divine Rivals blossomed into something even greater and more entrancing in Wild Reverence, describing a fantastical world of gods and mortals and introducing us to a cast of characters new and familiar. I fell in love with Matilda early on and found myself thrust into the game of who to trust and who to suspect just as she was, with gods and goddesses all vying for each other's powers. Enter Vincent, and I just as quickly fell in love with him, too. Watching their lives intertwine, then separate, then intertwine again broke and mended my heart over and over until I couldn't tear my eyes away from the pages even if I somehow wanted to. Rebecca Ross truly pulled no punches in their story - but it's also one full of love, hope, and the triumph of good over darkness.

Also, the ending of this book was literally flawless. 1000000/10 stars awarded easily. I cannot WAIT to see if she chooses to do anything else in this beautiful universe she's crafted.

Wild Reverence is a prequel to the Letters of Enchantment duology following Matilda, a young goddess as she grapples with falling for a mortal boy.

Having read this book as a standalone, I’m not sure I’m nearly as invested as the fans of Divine Rivals. I was honestly just bored, uninterested in the characters/plot. Everything felt very low stakes and dreadfully drawn out. I’m clearly in the minority here, I just don’t think this one was for me.

Wild Reverence is a prequel to the Letters of Enchantment duology. This one focuses on Matilda and those she forms relationships with. I loved getting the opportunity to delve further into the lore of this world. Ross further detailed the magic system and went into more detail regarding the Gods which was helpful to provide greater context to the overall series. I also just adore Ross’s writing in general. It’s so vivid and engaging allowing readers to get fully immersed in the story. I also felt that Ross’s character development skills really shined in this book – Matilda, Vincent, and Bade were all fascinating characters. I enjoyed how Ross wove the different plot lines and character arcs together to create a compelling story. The one issue I had with the book was that the pacing felt a little off to me. The audiobook was delightful. I loved the use of multiple narrators and really appreciated how each narrator really brought their characters to life. The narration was easy to follow and stay engaged in the story. It also felt very fitting for the overall story itself. I’d recommend checking this book out even if you haven’t read the later Letters of Enchantment books.

Another absolute banger from Rebecca Ross. I swear, everything she writes just pulls me in and refuses to let go. Wild Reverence was magical, tense, and filled with that sharp reminder of how women are constantly underestimated.

✨ What I loved:
Matilda completely stole my heart. She’s unapologetically herself: bold, fierce, and unwilling to shrink down for anyone. I adored following her journey and watching her navigate a world ruled by gods and goddesses who are as ruthless as they are mesmerizing. The pantheon felt rich and terrifying in the best way, and the magic system was easy to understand yet still so layered and captivating.

💔 The ending:
Bittersweet in the most satisfying way. Rebecca Ross knows how to gut-punch you while still giving closure, and I found myself sitting with those last pages long after I finished.

👀 Do you need to read her other books first?
Nope! You can dive into this one without having read Divine Rivals or Ruthless Vows, but fans will definitely enjoy spotting a few cameos that make the world feel even more expansive.

🌙 What to expect:
💃 A fierce FMC who won’t apologize for taking up space
👀 Gods and goddesses with sharp edges
🗡️ A ruthless magic system that actually makes sense
🔥 High stakes, tense atmosphere, and lyrical writing
💔 An ending that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful

Rebecca Ross continues to prove she’s one of the most exciting voices in YA and adult fantasy right now, and Wild Reverence is another must-read for fans of magical worlds, mythological intrigue, and strong heroines.

Rating: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 1.5/5 🌶️

Wild Reverence follows Matilda, a young goddess with untapped power, whose fate becomes unexpectedly intertwined with a mortal man named Vincent. Their connection begins when Matilda enters his dreams, sparking an unlikely friendship. But everything changes when tragedy strikes, forcing Matilda to seek refuge in the Skyward realm. Years pass before their paths cross again, and while both are hesitant to rekindle their bond—or admit the deeper feelings between them—their connection feels inevitable.

My heart ached for Matilda and the heavy burdens she carried in silence. Her resilience in the face of impossible trials and her determination to protect those she loved most was both inspiring and heartbreaking. Vincent, on the other hand, shoulders the weight of protecting his people, yet he cannot deny the pull Matilda has on him. His loyalty, vulnerability, and reverence for the woman he loves make him unforgettable.

One of the most touching elements of the story was Matilda’s relationship with Bade. While many of the gods seemed consumed by their own vendettas, Bade was unwavering, devoted and fiercely protective of Matilda, from the moment he first held her as a child.

Wild Reverence proves itself to be just as powerful—if not even more so—than the Divine Rivals duology. It offers a rich history of the Skywards and Underlings, beautifully setting the stage for the events that lead to Iris and Roman’s story. Rebecca Ross has once again struck the perfect balance between divine mythology and mortal heart, weaving a tale that feels both epic and intimate. She continues to transport us into the Letters of Enchantment world with a story that is as fresh as it is familiar, as heartbreaking as it is hopeful.

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

was excited for another Rebecca Ross book, despite not loving the sequel to Divine Rivals. This was a pretty big disappointment. The plot was interesting and the romance elements were nice, but this took me so long to read because it was very tedious. I guess it makes sense for Matilda to zip around to different realms but it was more tiresome than interesting to follow. I finished it because I wanted to know how their story ended, but I had to skim through a lot otherwise I would have never finished it.

I received this from net galley in exchange for a review.

I don't think I loved this as much as I loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows. While Rebecca Ross' writing is also beautiful, I didn't connect with this love story in the same way that I connected with Iris and Roman.

Divine Rivals was an amazing duology and when I saw that Rebecca Ross was writing a prequel I had no idea what to expect. This book was one of the most beautifully written stories I have ever read in my entire life and it is now my favorite book in the series. I loved Matilda so much and the way her story was written was just unbelievable. Seeing her character development and her relationship with Vincent and the other divines change as she grows up was so well done. Every single character in this book was so deep and thought out and I have no idea how Ross was able to do that because there are a LOT of characters in this book! Overall just perfection. I would read a million more books like this by her and I'd never get tired of it! I cannot recommend this book or this series enough!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced readers copy!

3.5 ⭐

This is quite a lengthy read! I really wanted to give it a higher rating....I initially thought this book was part of a duology, but it turns out it's a standalone! Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with the storyline because of my own religious beliefs. However, aside from my annoyance with the use of the word "Gods," I genuinely appreciated the book. Vincent is a sweetheart, which may have been intentional to highlight that, as a human, he is weaker than Matilda. And Matilda is such a caring and devoted being who remained kind despite the hardships she faced. The thing I loved the most is the audiobook I don't think I could get through this book without it so shout out to the narrators 💚

Ps. I couldn't get the 🔥 chapters to skip cuz it's in Greek numerals

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Since I have the ARC & ALC I'm doing immersive reading thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio 💚💚

Set in the same world as Letters of Enchantment — an all-time favorite — Wild Reverence feels like Rebecca Ross raided my brain and wrote the dream novel I didn’t know I needed. Hauntingly beautiful prose, devastating emotion, and tropes that never miss — this book is the very definition of being ruined beautifully.
The writing has leveled up since Divine Rivals — smoother, more immersive, and laced with effortless magic. Every sentence lingers. Every emotion aches. It’s a fever dream of angst and love, a story that bruises you in the best way.
The characters will live rent-free in my head forever. I’m obsessed. No YA fantasy hits harder than one that breaks your heart and heals it in the same breath — and Wild Reverence does exactly that.

Rebecca Ross has such a beautiful way with words and Wild Reverence reminded me exactly why I loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows. Her writing makes it easy to vividly picture every scene and the magical world felt alive from the very beginning. The emotion woven into the story is powerful and I really enjoyed the way it unfolded. I also appreciate that while the world is a little complex, it never felt overwhelming; the details are revealed gradually in a way that keeps you intrigued without confusion.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Wild Reverence is a beautiful example of the craft of writing. Rebecca Ross weaves an intriguing narrative about finding oneself and crafts a love story filled with gentleness and passion.

Readers are encouraged to complete the Letters of Enchantment duology (Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows) before reading Wild Reverence, which takes place in the same world. Wild Reverence occurs before Divine Rivals, but it relies upon readers’ understandings of events that occur later and reveals information that is a surprise in Ruthless Vows.

Wild Reverence tells the story of Matilda, a god born of an Underworld mother and a Skyward father. Because she is descendent of both realms, her power is that of a herald — messenger — for the gods. These powers are not particularly strong nor important, and in an underworld of killing to steal others’ powers, it largely keeps her safe from other gods. It also keeps her from feeling like she belongs anywhere. A human boy named Vincent begins having nightmares and Matilda appears in those dreams and rescues him. When Matilda has to escape the Underworld to survive, they meet by chance in the human world and share a kiss before Matilda seeks shelter Skyward. The remainder of the story follows the long arc of their friendship and romance with dual POVs as gods meddle, seeking power and control of the world. It involves political machinations, scheming to cheat Death, betrayals, battles, and sharing and seizing powers. Matilda comes into her own as a goddess, and Vincent comes into his own as a man.

In addition to a sweet and caring romance that had me rooting for a happy ending, there are a few subplots that explore the creation and meaning of family. I love the found family trope, and I enjoyed seeing both Matilda and Vincent discover the power in familial love, which leads to a trust more powerful than extracting debts and exchanging alliances.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Advanced Reader Copy.

Wild Reverence is a beautifully written story full of lush imagery and deep emotion. The writing feels lyrical and immersive, pulling you into a world that’s both magical and raw. It’s a slower, character driven read that lingers on themes of love, sacrifice, and self discovery. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories that feel like a dream you don’t want to wake from.

Rebecca Ross has such a lyrical way of writing! I adored Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows and annotated both books, with so many of my highlights and tabs being intrigued and curious about the history of the gods. I was so excited when I learned of this book that peeks into that history, and it did NOT disappoint!
The books follows a new god, Matilda, navigating the world as a descendant of both opposing bloodlines. She is such a great character!
There is also so much “political” intrigue between the gods, which really takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions.
The romance developed in this book was so sweet, “fated” love. Seeing Matilda and Vincent as children together and coming back together as adults.. just wow!
The world was built so well - the god magics were so interesting. I will not soon be forgetting this story - phenomenal!

This book is easily one of my favourite books of 2025!

This book is so beautifully written and each page just pulls you more and more into Matilda and Vincent’s story. When Divine Rivals came out I absolutely loved their that story and it was really nice to be back in that universe but seeing it from the Divines point of view. Getting insight into what they do, how they interact with each other, constellations, how they gain their powers. This books covers so much in explaining the Divines, it amazing! I highly recommend this book to everyone! Beautiful book Rebecca!!!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

This book is an absolute triumph. So smooth and gorgeous and every moment was a dream. I was never bored. I never wanted more out of a scene. Rebecca Ross just hits every single mark every time. I am obsessed. Thank you for the chance to read it early.

WOW! So i got this copy on NetGalley and I loved every page! I didn’t read the Divine Rivals series so I wasn’t sure if I would be confused and turns out NOPE!
Rebecca has such a way with words that will leave your heart with so many emotions. We start out with Matilda who is just a smaller lower goddess and she meets Vincent through dreams when they’re small. They then don’t speak for 10 years.
This book has found family, marriage of convenience and immortal/mortal love. It also has court politics between the different gods.
I loved reading Vincent’s POV you can just feel his love and longing for Matilda. They go through periods of loss and trials together but always coming back to one another.
I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the Divine Rivals series!!
5/5 ✨

I got this book as an E-ARC from NetGalley (thank you) then also received the Audio preview as well. Listening and reading along, I was hooked! The Audio was fantastic and I’m quite surprised how much I loved this story! Don’t get me wrong, I liked Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows enough and you don’t need to read those before you read this, but this one was just more magical. Her writing is beautiful.
There’s so much more emotional depth to the story. So much love and loss, but perseverance.

Matilda and Vincent’s love is one of a kind. It was the sweetest yet slowest burn. I love that they kept finding and fighting for each other even when it seemed impossible. Also Bade’s character 🥰. I also like how it tied into Divine Rivals. I was surprised by that. Kind of makes me want to re-read them again.

Really one of my only complaints is how quickly the fighting ended. So much build up and then it seemed to be over just like that. Still 100% worth the read or listen! I’ll most likely be purchasing a copy.
If you enjoy:

-Mythology
-Magic
-Slow Burn/Yearning
-Very Light Spice/Fade to Black
-Found Family

I think this one is for you!

Thank you again NetGallery and Macmillan audio for this gem.

Did I just read over 500 pages to find out how the Alouette typewriters were made? Yes. Yes, I did. Could I have gone my entire life without knowing that information? Also yes.

To preface this review, I am not a Greek mythology girlie. I don’t know why, but every time it pops up in a story, my brain checks out. And this book read like Greek mythology fanfic, and not the fun smutty kind.

I absolutely *adored* Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, so I was fully prepared to ugly cry, swoon, and make this my entire personality for a few days. Instead, I got a lore-heavy info dump with a small sized order of McDonalds fries for romance.

I read an ARC copy (thank you so much NetGalley and Saturday Books — you are saints for putting up with us opinionated readers), but I genuinely thought there were pages missing because… surely this wasn’t the entire plot? 😬

If you love Greek mythology and are dying to know the history of fictional magic typewriters, this book might just be your Super Bowl. Unfortunately, for me, this was a miss.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC access to this book.

I'm a Ross fan but this book didn't hit for me. The world building was kind of intense and I just didn't connect with the characters and the storyline. I finished the book and listened to audio on Spotify.

I'll be keeping an eye out for her other work but this wasn't for me. Good book. Good story. Just not of my interest.
The storyline dragged at times and the world building was very involved.

It might be better suited for someone with more interest in fantasy and intense world building.