[4.75 - 5 STARS] [Spice 1/5] SPOILER FREE
Thank you to Rebecca Ross & St. Martin's Press (Saturday Books) for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Prior to the events in Divine Rivals/Ruthless Vows before Dacre took Enva and she played her song... Before enchanted typewriters wrote such beautiful letters in DR, we have the "origin story" of Matilda, the Herald of the Gods.

When I see a book featuring a strong FMC, I am all-in, and this is no exception. She is a strong goddess that is from the Under realm, not knowing who fathered her beside he is of Skyward realm. Not ever really belonging in any realm, she longs to fit in somewhere. A young boy from the mortal realm begins dreaming of her and she feels a pull to him, but disappears from him for years. With Fate weaving the threads of their lives, they are one day drawn back together and beginning a beautiful, tragic, thrilling love story against all odds. Excellent pacing and writing.

Rebecca Ross writes such beautiful books to begin with, but her real magic lies within the relationships tangled webs of all the emotions and the vulnerability required when you give your heart. There were villains, great side characters, politics, battles, an extremely well-established world/magic system and lore. It was an extremely enjoyable read and I've already pre-ordered a special edition to add to the shelf. I never want to leave this world of books. Rebecca Ross can do no wrong! The only reason I might deduct .25 stars is because there were parts that maybe could've been a bit more concise and a bit less back-and-forth travelling wise, but not enough to take me out of the story.

4.5 / 5 Stars
This was a beautiful, epic story with a really well-written mythological system woven throughout that made me a fan of Rebecca Ross’s work. It is the story of Mathilda, a goddess born to an Underling mother and a Skyward father. Her mother has kept her hidden in the underrealm while Mathilda’s power as a herald matures. She will be able to carry messages between the two realms and the mortal realm but she has to watch her back as gods can kill each other to gain their powers. As she ages, Mathilda reads the dreams of a boy named Vincent and even meets him in the mortal realm but she runs away when the mortals try to capture her. As the years pass, Mathilda and Vincent’s lives intersect as their fates intertwine to create a beautiful love story.

You will probably like this book if you like:
💖 Fantasy based on a unique mythological system with gods
💖 Forbidden romance(s)
💖 Gods behaving badly and high court politics
💖 Friends to strangers to lovers
💖 Marriage of convenience

The writing was fluid, lush, and immersive. Reading this book felt like getting swept away by the wind to be taken on a big adventure. It felt a lot like a Greek epic poem ala The Odyssey with interfering gods and a protagonist who just wants to get home to their love. There were many side quests and Chekhov's guns set up to add hurdles for Vincent and Mathilda that kept the plot engaging.

Mathilda and Vincent are captivating on their own and magical together. Mathilda is smart, strong, courageous, and selfless. Vincent is kind, patient, and steadfast (he is also a big old Swoon McGoon which is a phrase I just made up and am rolling with). They both have been hurt by the world or taught not to be vulnerable but they peeled back their layers with the perfect pacing. Their love was quiet, steady, and inevitable even with the chaos of the world around them.

I also loved a lot of the side characters. The book started with a LOOONG list of characters and I was like “uh oh, I am about to be deeply confused” but I was not. Rebecca Ross did a great job of introducing the gods and mortals in a way that is not intimidating and was easy to follow. All of the gods had their own distinct personalities which is super impressive given how many there were. And the two times I cried were both related to Bade, the god of war, so I am calling for a book about Bade.

My only critique is that this book is almost 600 pages and at times, it felt that way. The beginning and the end felt fast paced and engaging but parts of the middle just felt long. And as someone who connects more with relationships and characters, there were times that I just did not want to read pages and pages of scenery description. And some of the old timey words would just not stick in my brain (I feel like I learned and immediately forgot so many descriptors for castles and architecture).

This book is a prequel to “Divine Rivals” and “Ruthless Vows” and I hadn’t read either of those and I still really enjoyed this one. I think folks who have read those two books may find cool intersections but I think you can also dive into this one on its own. I really enjoyed getting to read Rebecca’s work and look forward to reading these other two books!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 2, 2025

If you loved Divine Rivals and wanted more of the lore behind the Divine that once ruled the world before Dacre & Enva began their war YOU WILL EAT THIS BOOK UP! Rebecca’s impeccably prose and deft weaving of words capture you instantly to deliver the most stunning prequel to her already rich world!

This book is absolutely incredible and deserves all the praise. I loved how Matilda’s story not only stood on its own but also tied so beautifully into the events of Divine Rivals. The first quarter of the book, where we see Matilda grow up in a world full of gods and goddesses, was such a strong foundation for the rest of the story. Her relationship with Vincent was breathtaking their characters are so well developed and written with such care that I couldn’t help but be invested in them. And as always, Rebecca Ross’s writing is stunning. It’s lyrical, emotional, and completely immersive. Wild Reverence is the perfect companion to Divine Rivals, and it left me in awe.

Thank you to SMP and Saturday books for the early copy to read and review!

It was incredible to be able to step back into the world that we are first introduced to in the Letters of Enchantment duology. Although we are experiencing a story hundreds of years earlier than the one told in the duology, there are so many connections that will have Iris and Roman lovers swooning and hooked.

The intertwining of the Underling, Mortal, and Skyward realms was brilliant done, with each having different descriptions and characteristics and notable gods, goddesses, and mortals. There are 500+ pages to get acquainted with all of the characters and the roles that they play, so although it can be overwhelming at times, I was rarely confused.

The dual POV of Matilda and Vincent was a brilliant choice by Ross, because we are able to get both the god and human side of the story, and it gave us the chance to see the blossoming slow burn love develop between the two characters. There were many times where the romance would be really sweet and longing, and I wish we had gotten more of that. It seemed like the actual time that they spent in each other’s company was somewhat short.

The pacing was a little slow at times, particularly at the beginning and about halfway through, but I was invested enough in the story to keep pushing, and each time I was so glad that I did. This is an epic story to be savored and appreciated, and it’s going to really stick with me for a long time.

Rebecca Ross continues the intrigue in her prequel novel to the Divine Rivals duology, Wild Reverence. This novel expands on her unique magic system, playing with the lines between worlds and life and death. Matilda’s character arc spans from her childhood to adulthood while she learns who she is and what she can do. Some characters felt underdeveloped and could have been fleshed out more in a few circumstances. Overall, the pacing and content were well written and kept me reading.

WOW. This book blew me away. It was long but I wish it was longer. Being back in the world of Divine Rivals felt like being home, even with different characters. I could say so many things about so many characters, I loved them all and enjoyed seeing how their stories played out. Matilda and Vincent’s story broke me and put me back together. I loved this book.

I have no notes, every single piece is perfect! I feel honored to have been graced with this ARC. I love everything Rebecca writes so I knew I would love this too. But can I say something kind of crazy? I may have liked this more than Divine Rivals, which is wild because that was my favorite Rebecca Ross work and I thought nothing would ever change that. Alas, sometimes we have to let go of what we love so it can become something greater

Wild Reverence was everything I hoped for and more!! Rebecca Ross’s writing is so beautiful, it feels like you’re stepping right into the myths and stories of the gods. I loved Matilda and Vincent’s relationship, the slow build and quiet yearning that made every moment between them feel important. The world-building is lush, the emotions hit hard, and the ending left me a little heartbroken. Easily one of my favorite reads this year. I was really impressed by the world-building especially since Rebecca personified the Gods in a way that is totally expected. They prioritize their own, are cautious, and are born with a goal in mind.

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am so excited for this book to come out. I can’t wait to have this work of art on my bookshelf and I need other people to be able to enjoy this story ASAP.

The way Rebecca Ross writes prose always teleports me into her stories. I loved being back in the world of Divine Rivals, you don’t need to have read Divine Rivals/ Ruthless Vows to understand and enjoy this world.

All the relationships in this book are so great, not just the romance but no stone is left unturned. No matter if they are friends, enemies, lovers, allies, or some combination in between the bonds between characters are all richly layered. Everyone is trying to play 4D chess and out strategize each other while dealing with those silly little feelings like ‘love’ and whatnot. The divine viewing love as a weakness and mortals coveting love as a great desire is a great dynamic and adds a lot of emotional weight to the events of the story.

Vincent and Matilda have the type of yearning one could only wish for. They care for each other deeply and often embody ‘if you love something let it go’ they understand that life may pull them in different directions but every moment shared between them will be cherished greatly. The “childhood friends to estrangement to marriage of convenience to maybe something more” pipeline hits like crack.

I don’t want to go too far into the plot but if you loved Ross’ other books I would 100% read this one. The story is a little more A River Enchanted coded but set in the world of Divine Rivals, a perfect mix of two excellent stories. I would read the stories of every character in this book in a heartbeat.

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

"You are parchment, ink, cloves. You are water dripping down stone, and the smoke of a burning scroll. You are something deeper, darker still."

Matilda is a goddess unlike any other as she's been born of the Underlings and Skyward. She is the herald of the gods. She transcends the realms and brings change, especially as her path becomes intertwined with a mortal named Vincent.

If you enjoy exquisitely lush writing, I think you'll enjoy this. If you enjoy Ava Reid's writing, you will really connect with Rebecca Ross. I found it more difficult to connect with these characters than Iris and Roman from Divine Rivals/Ruthless Vows. The gods are intentionally colder beings, lacking typical mortal emotion, but that impacted how engaged I felt. The pacing is also much slower. If you like more mythology in your novels, this would hit for you.

this is hands down the BEST book i’ve read all year. it’s been the book i’ve been dreaming about since it was first announced, i’ve ordered 3 copies, and debating not reading this arc in all honesty to have my first read be physical (but i failed because i couldn’t wait.)

i never wanted this book to end while i was reading. rebecca ross has a way with words that just enchants you. there was not one dull moment in this book, i almost wished it was longer. matilda is a very special character, and i won’t spoil too much of anything, but she may be one of my favorite book protagonist i’ve read about in a very, very long time (especially in a fantasy.) the whole world rebecca created with this and how she describes it makes it so vivid in your head. the supporting characters, especially bade and their story, made me go through many Big Emotions.

matilda and vincent are something beyond special that i myself don’t have the words to describe. just know i deeply felt and loved every yearning moment they had with each other.

i just don’t think the synopsis does this book justice, i want everyone to read it but then i want to gatekeep it for myself. the epilogue made me smile… and the need to reread divine rivals duology. godbless you rebecca ross. new all time favorite book for the shelf.

As with any Rebecca Ross book, this was beautifully written. It was poetic and atmospheric and the story itself was a beautiful one. It’s a prequel to Divine Rivals, and the ending tied in nicely.

However, this was too damn long. There is no reason this book needed to be over 500 pages. It FELT long. There was a lot of repetition in the plot, and after a while it got tedious.

Rebecca Ross really delivered with this one. I absolutely loved Divine Rivals, though Ruthless Vows left me a bit underwhelmed. What intrigued me most, though, were the Gods in the Letters of Enchantment duology, and Wild Reverence finally gives us their story.

Here we see their viciousness, deception, and disdain for mortals, alongside the rare flickers of tenderness they try so hard to suppress. So what happens when a God falls in love with a mortal? To the other Gods, it’s weakness, and it must be hidden at all costs.

Matilda, herald of the Gods, first meets Vincent in his dreams when he’s just a child. She could never have imagined how deeply Fate and Death would entwine her path with his. Years later, long after Vincent thought he’d never see “Red” again, Matilda appears in the most unexpected way, saving him on the very night Death comes for him. From there, the story twists and turns in ways I won’t spoil.

I devoured this book. At first, I worried about the reference pages at the beginning, but I quickly learned not to stress—just bookmark them and dive in. The story explains itself beautifully as you go.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Rebecca Ross for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

What a beautiful, epic story! This is a prequel to Divine Rivals & it was done perfectly. Rebecca Ross’s writing is so beautiful. The amount of highlights I have. Absolutely stunning. The love story between Matilda & Victor was EVERYTHING! The slow burn, the found family. I loved the world and the magic system. I absolutely loved Matilda’s character growth. And Bade!! I loved his character and he was there for Matilda. Ugh I need more of him! Also the epilogue— how it tied into Divine Rivals. Genius!

‎‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Goddess x Mortal
➳❥ Forbidden Love
➳❥ Friends to Lovers
➳❥ Slow Burn / Yearning
➳❥ Marriage of Convenience
➳❥ “Who did this to you”

🌅When this book hits bookshelves, run, don’t walk to get it. Then, crack it open. From the very first page, like a spell, this novel will pull you in, like it pulled me under with its dreamlike prose and aching romance, the kind of story that lingers like an echo long after you’ve closed the book. Set in the same world as Divine Rivals, it works beautifully as both a standalone and a prequel, giving depth to the mythology of gods, mortals, and the fragile bonds between them.

The plot unfolds through two perspectives: Matilda, a young goddess bound by duty, and Vincent, a mortal boy haunted by nightmares. Their connection begins almost accidentally—born out of protection and longing—and slowly grows into a love story marked by yearning, sacrifice, and an ever-present awareness of its fragility. Alongside them, the tapestry of gods and realms expands: we glimpse their powers, jealousies, and vulnerabilities, each detail making this world feel richer and more perilous. I especially appreciated how the story doesn’t rush into action but takes time to lay the groundwork, offering a patient, layered exploration of its characters before thrusting them into deeper conflict.

Ross’s writing is nothing short of enchanting. Her ability to capture raw emotion in a single line left me rereading passages again and again:

“A tether formed between us. Invisible but undeniable. A cord wound from my rib to his.”

These moments make the romance feel timeless and haunting, while also grounding it in the very human desire for touch, trust, and belonging. The yearning here is palpable—every glance, every vow, every stolen moment feels weighted with inevitability.

This is a slow-burning fantasy romance, with a strong focus on atmosphere and character development rather than constant plot twists. Personally, I loved how it allowed the emotional stakes to build gradually, but readers looking for fast-moving action may find the first half slow.

The novel is also unafraid of darkness. There are moments of loss, violence, and grief woven through the magic, reminding us that love—even divine love—is never without cost.

What struck me most was how this book reframes the world of Divine Rivals with a fresh perspective. Knowing where the larger saga eventually leads makes certain scenes more poignant, while new readers will still find a fully immersive story on its own. The epilogue in particular is stunning—tying past and future together in a way that feels both inevitable and revelatory. I was smiling from ear to ear. What a satisfying way for this story to end!

A gorgeously written, emotionally devastating fantasy romance that combines the grandeur of myth with the intimacy of a love story. If you’ve ever been drawn to tales of doomed devotion or gods who can’t help but crave what they shouldn’t, this book will sweep you away. A HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased, honest review. I truly appreciate this opportunity!

Solid 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Wish I could give it more)
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This book had me giggling and crying and gasping the entire time! I loved getting to know the gods and all the magic that comes with it, and was fully immersed in this world every time I picked it up to read it. The yearning and longing between the mortal mmc and goddess fmc was everything, and I think I liked this more than divine rivals!! So many beautiful quotes as always and I’ll be thinking about this book and Vincent for a while 😭

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the digital advanced reader copy!

This is a prequel to the Divine Rival books which gives us some backstory about the gods and their world. It tells the story of Matilda, a lesser known goddess. I love Rebecca Ross’s writing style. It’s so beautiful and her stories and engaging and unique. That said, I liked the Letters of Enchantment duology, but I didn’t love as much as some of her previous books. But this book, was amazing! It could easily be read as a standalone and is magical and captivating in its own right. This book has a little of everything with romance, war, magic, loss, and love. Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I definitely recommend!

This book contains
✨️ unique magic system
✨️ adult slow burn romance fantasy
✨️ strongly developed characters (medium paced)
✨️ dual POV (can be read as a stand alone!)
✨️ mortal x immortal love trope

This book is magical. The writing feels lyrical, intricate and vivid. Learning about Matilda and her back story prior to seeing her and Vincent added an extra layer of character depth.
This book was a little on the longer side, but it's worth it!

THE LETTERS!!! (That's all im going to say)

An extraordinary, bittersweet novel full of yearning and introspection. The writing is achingly beautiful, and I found myself completely enraptured by the storyline. This book will resonate with me for a long while.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.