A prequel set in the world of divine rivals. This book was everything I didn’t realize I needed. Learning more about the gods and all the lore made me fall in love with letters of enchantment even more. Immediately re read the duet after finishing this book

Matilda, the youngest goddess of the underworld, has only minor messenger magic which protects her somewhat from the violent machinations of the divine realms until she bears witness to something she shouldn’t and must flee her home. Meanwhile, in the mortal world, nobleman’s son Vincent is forced to endure a violent world of his own. As children Matilda and Vincent met only in dreams until one day they stumble upon each other in the mortal world. 10 years pass until they encounter each other once again and in so meeting their lives are changed forever.

I stayed up far too late reading Wild Reverence in what was definitely a “just one more chapter” that turned into “read the entire book in one night” situation. I really like Rebecca Ross’ writing even though her books always leave me feeling a bit melancholy (her happy endings are often Complicated). This adult standalone set in the same world as her Letters of Enchantment duology is about an underestimated minor goddess who falls in love with a mortal, sure, but it’s also about how we are remembered, unconditional love vs. transactional love, and sacrifice. You don’t need to have read the duology to read this one (only the epilogue is closely tied to those books) though it certainly adds some extra nuance to experience if you have.

Thanks to NetGalley and Saturday books for the e-ARC; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What an absolute masterpiece. Rebecca Ross, thank you. You are queen of the pen. Beautiful writing, intricate characters. Stunning.

4.75 stars

What a beautifully, heartrending story. Rebecca Ross once again has crafted a story that feels so timeless, magical and original. This is something I’ve always loved about her writing. Where so many books out there feel like carbon copies of things we’ve already seen and nothing feels truly original — Rebecca’s books are set apart in its uniqueness and originality. I truly felt like I have not read a story quite like this before. The world-building, the magic system, the way the divines operated, were all so immaculately crafted.

Some of the lines, my gosh, made me cry. Between Vincent and Matilda — and also Bade and Matilda. The former’s love story and the latter’s familial bond were so beautiful and convincing.

My only slight qualms about the book were sometimes the pacing felt a bit odd - specifically towards the end. I think this is partially because it’s covering so much material in only one anthology book. The ending felt very rushed. There were a few moments we should have seen as readers - for example, without spoiling, it felt odd that we didn’t get to see how some divine characters were doing by the very end of the book. And a certain reunion that should have been huge felt very downplayed and lackluster. I was expecting some kind of huge, momentous, soulful reunion but instead I found myself thinking “that’s it?” It was honestly dissatisfying and I was surprised because I have never felt that with Rebecca’s writing before. What I really wanted was an epilogue following our main characters and beloved side characters - one that gave us closure and a farewell to them that didn’t feel rushed. But sadly it did.

Some potential spoilers below:

I also love LGBTQ+ representation in books, but what Rebecca did with one of the characters by the end felt very sudden and forced — like she was clearly checking off a box for diversity. Lots of publishers and authors think it seamlessly ties in with the story when you do it this way, but in actuality, feels very jarring and out of place. It also just simply wasn’t believable. For this character’s status and position, heirs are needed. And the character they suddenly fell in love with had straight up murdered them beforehand? No, no this was just not believable at all haha. I think the LGBTQ+ representation could have been done better in a way that seamlessly fit in with the story and made sense to the plot, rather than just a confusing add-in at the very very end.

All that to say is, those were the only two areas that gave me pause as a reader. Overall, the book was beautiful, the story was original, and the love story specifically was breathtaking. Not to mention BADE!! Honestly stole the show, I loved his character so much and need a novella about him and Adria asap.

Thank you NetGalley and Saturday Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

"For anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love." This story is very beautifully written and captured my attention as soon as I started. Set in the same world as Divine Rivals before Iris and Roman, this story follows a divine immortal, Matilda, who in her journey to discover and come into her powers keeps meeting a mortal, Vincent, in his dreams and then subsequently in person. They develop a very tender and genuine friendship that slowly grows into love. Watching them work at their relationship despite all the obstacles thrown their way is the best part of the book. Can love really exist between an immortal and a mortal? The story is compelling and has plenty of action to grab your attention. There are a lot of side characters that are very well fleshed out too, so you will grow attached to them. Bade, you are among my favorites! Be sure to have some tissues when you are reading this because there definitely will be some tears. One of the best stories I've read this year! Now this is how a prequel should be! Strong enough to stand on its own. Matilda and Vincent will be forever in my heart. When I look at the stars, I will think of them. Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Ross and St. Martin's Press for this eARC!

Wild Reverence is a standalone prequel to the Divine Rivals series that delves into the stories of the gods and goddesses who rule the underworld and sky. At the start of the book Matilda is a young goddess who is just beginning to learn of her powers. We follow her through the various kingdoms and her interactions and relationships with other divinity as well as with mortals. This is an epic tale giving a comprehensive background in the lore that underlies the Divine Rivals series. It has everything: action, romance, mythology. Would definitely recommend for anyone who has enjoyed Rebecca Ross’ other books. This one might be my favorite!

Wild Reverence Book Review 🦇

What would you be the god or goddess of?❓

Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. She holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest of allies to ensure her survival. To complicate matters, there's a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they've never met. After their last shared dream, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life—begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. 10 years later, 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. Matilda could help save all Vincent holds dear, but she'll have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved. 🦇

Magic. Absolute enthralling, all-compassing magic. I DEVOURED this beautiful, haunting tale. Let's break it down. 💜

Characters (5/5) Matilda demands your attention from the first page. She's complicated, layered, real and raw despite being a goddess. You feel the way she's tugged between three separate worlds, cheer her on as she stands to fight, are awed by the way she grows. And Vincent? Ugh, get ready for some hearteyes. ✨

Plot and Pacing (4/5) There are a few moments when the pacing stalls. We begin in the under realm and linger there for so long, experience the world above in snippets, but the pacing truly excels when Matilda and Vincent are together. I DID adore familiar elements of Divine Rivals appearing, but honestly? I think Wild Reverence FAR exceeds The Letters of Enchantment duology in every way. ✨

World-Building (5/5) Once you're accustomed to one world, you're thrown into another, despite them existing simultaneously. Ross excels at creating a vivid landscape. Her world-building is descriptive, built from our reality and understanding of mythology. Once you fall into this world, it's hard to leave it. ✨

Romance (5/5) Ahhh. AH. AH!!! Sometimes there just aren't (coherent) words for the way a ship tugs at your heartstrings. Matilda and Vincent feel fated, inevitable. He falls first and you FEEL it every time he looks at, things of Matilda. For Matilda, however, love is a vulnerability that could lead to her death. To recognize and convey her love is to reveal a weakness, turning this into an unexpected by delightful slow burn. And all the ways they sacrifice for one another? Be still my heart. ✨

Mystery/Suspense (3/5) There are very few components of mystery to the story. Rather, the tension derives from Matilda and Vincent's emotions, from the war, from the complicated politics between the immortals. ✨

Tone/Prose (5/5) Both lyrical and haunting, captivating in its tenderness, the prose captures both the mind and heart, keeping your attention until the very end. Ross' prose has grown, displaying a level of maturity that exceeds previous writings to create a story that's beautifully enchanting. My only regret was reaching the end; I wanted to remain in this world forever. ✨

Recommended for fans of Greek mythology retellings. 🦇

The Vibes ✨
Romantasy 💌
Mythology / Gods 💌
Self-Discovery 💌
Poetic Prose 💌
Letters of Enchantment World 💌
Yearning 💌
Dual POV 💌
Second Chance Romance 💌
Fake Marriage 💌
Star-Crossed Lovers 💌
Slow Burn 💌
Childhood Friends to Lovers 💌

Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #WildReverence 🦇

Quotes 💬
War only makes love flame brighter, defiant.

"You are parchment, ink, cloves."

She had only become more beautiful, more powerful with time. A rose that had grown thorns.

Matilda and me. The mundane and the magical. The mortal and the divine.

She was not mine by spoken vow but something deeper.

I would know she was near, even in the darkness.

My life feels brief as the dew when I compare it to your ocean.

I could not hold her any more than I could the wind, but I loved her for it.

Book Review: Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Wild Reverence is a hauntingly lyrical and emotionally rich fantasy that explores power, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to love in a world shaped by betrayal and bloodshed. Rebecca Ross delivers yet another beautifully crafted story, weaving divine myth and mortal fate into a tale that feels both timeless and refreshingly new.

At the heart of the novel is Matilda, the youngest goddess of her under realm clan—gifted not with fearsome power, but with quiet, messenger magic. Her strength lies not in conquest, but in endurance, secrecy, and her ability to forge connection through language and compassion. Her journey is one of self-discovery and resistance: in a brutal world where gods steal each other’s magic and alliances are thinly veiled threats, she dares to dream of peace, of something gentler. And then there’s Vincent—the mortal boy who once dreamed of her and has long since buried that memory under a hardened exterior.

Their reunion is fate-touched, tender, and deeply human. Ross handles their slow-burn connection with great care, using dreamlike prose to build chemistry and heartbreak in equal measure. What makes Wild Reverence shine isn't just the rich worldbuilding or the high-stakes godly conflicts, but the emotional core at its center: a goddess who dares to be vulnerable, and a mortal who learns to believe again.

With elegant writing and poignant themes, this novel explores what it means to hold on to hope in a world that teaches you to let go. Fans of Ross’s previous works—especially Divine Rivals—will find this story equally enchanting and even more layered in its maturity.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy mythic romance, morally complex characters, and fantasy rooted in emotion as much as action.

✨𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘✨
🅶🅴🅽🆁🅴—𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓎
🗓ℙ𝕦𝕓 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕖—𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟚, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝

✂️ P L O T L I N E
Matilda, a young goddess born in a ruthless realm of gods, hides a powerful secret as she delivers messages across worlds. When she collides with Vincent, a mortal who once dreamed of her but has long since hardened, fate reignites their connection and offers a chance to change the gods’ violent legacy if Matilda dares to open her heart.

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I’m not sure where to start with this review besides saying that it was looonnngggg! I also feel like slow burn has a different definition after reading this one because it was more like sloooooowwwww burn! Now that I got that off my chest, I will say that I really did enjoy a lot of this story. I liked the characters and my favorite was probably Bade. The first part of this book was a lot of world building, which I actually didn’t mind and found interesting and intriguing. At times I felt like there was way too much going on and at other times I felt like I had read for two hours and nothing had happened, so timing was definitely an issue for this book. Being an adult Romantasy, I also wanted so much more romance. I wanted all the tension and pining between Matilda and Vincent and I don’t think it delivered on that front at all. There were times when the story really picked up and I thought maybe it would be a four star, but ultimately it just didn’t deliver as much as I wanted it to. I enjoyed that it was in the same world as Divine Rivals and liked seeing a couple of similar characters, but don’t go into this one thinking it’s anything like that book. If you classify yourself as a “Romantasy Girly,” you might really like this one.

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
⚔️Romantasy
💕Childhood Friends to lovers
💍Fake marriage
🪄Gods and Magic
☠️Mortal x Immortal
🔥SLOW burn
🗣️Dual POV

🪄𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🪄
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E: “𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝑒𝓋𝑜𝓁𝓊𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃, 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓈𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝒰𝓃𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝓅𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒷𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹.”

🙏Thank you St Martins Press and Saturday Books for the free eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An epic prequel romantasy!

Matilda is a goddess. Vincent is a human. They are friends in his childhood dreams, until Matilda is forced to leave her home underneath the earth and seek refuge skyward. They meet again as adults and Matilda answers his pray for help from his uncle and his army. But the price to save Vincent’s home could destroy them both.

Sparks fly in this friends to lovers romance. Both main characters are sympathetic and likable. I loved the found family dynamic with Bade. The world building is unique, particularly among the gods and goddesses who kill each other for star power.

Fans of the Letters of Enchantment duology will be excited to see the history of Enva and Dacre. This background story is strong enough to stand on its own. Another incredible read from Rebecca Ross.

Gentle readers: there is battle violence, a whipping, and intimate scenes.

Coming 9/2/2025
#bookreview #bookrecommendation

The most perfect book of magic and romance. Oh how I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Beautiful and powerful. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was amazing. I enjoyed the other letters of enchantment books but I devoured this book, my favorite of the books. Please write more about these characters. I was easily drawn into their stories and lives and could not put the book down. The characters had movement and there were surprises I didn't see coming, yet we're totally within the arc of character growth. I truly felt for for the characters and rooted for my favorite and hoped for the demise of bad guys in spectacular ways. The conflicts between the characters did not disappoint.

I wish I could've had a better opinion on this but Rebecca Ross is promoting and hyping up an antisemitic author who is supporting JKR (Julie Soto) and my opinion of her (Ross) as an author is forever changed.

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross is a well crafted book filled with interesting characters. It took me a bit of time to really get into it. I kept putting it down to read other books, but once I was about halfway it became more engaging.

ARC gifted by publisher via Netgalley.

Matilda is a goddess born in the dark caverns of the Under Realm and blessed with messenger magic. Her ability to carry messages between realms has made her the herald of the gods, and her humble magic has enabled her to fly under the radar amongst the gods who don't bat an eye at killing each other to steal powers. But Matilda has a secret, one that would cause even her most loyal of allies to turn on her. To complicate matters even further, Matilda finds herself connected to a mortal boy who dreams of her despite the pair never meeting.

Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett desperately sent a plea to Matilda, the goddess he befriended as a child, begging for her help, but his cries fell upon deaf ears. Vincent knew the gods could be fickle, but he thought he and the crimson-haired goddess had a special connection, so when she didn't come to his aid, Vincent swore to forget Matilda. But then she came tumbling through his window with a message for him. Unbeknownst to the pair, Fate has entwined their lives together, and the path they must walk may present an opportunity for Matilda to change the gods' bloody ways, but it will come at a steep cost.

I don't know what sort of spell Ross puts in her books, but I'm always completely charmed by them. She has such a beautiful way of weaving a story together. Her books always remind me of Hozier songs, and this was no exception (it's so "Abstract (Psychopomp)" coded). I loved learning more about the gods we saw in the Divine Rivals series. I thought Matilda was a fascinating main character to follow. She had this wonderful mix of strength and softness to her. I loved the connection she had with Vincent and how the pair felt like two sides of the same coin. Vincent is a man who yearns, and we love to see it. Their relationship ripped my heart out and then put it back together. The story itself was slow, but the atmosphere kept me fully captivated. I can't recommend this one enough.

If I could give more than five stars to this book, I WOULD .

Wild Reverence was nothing but perfection . The longin and yearning un this book was palpable . I have so many things to say that I don’t even know how to begin . One of my favorite characters of the books was Bade and his relationship with Matilda . When they called each other father and daughter in the wasteland’s, I sobbed . It amazes me how the gods are described in this books, how you get so enraptured while reading that you sometimes feel that they truly exist, that what you’re reading is so much more than a story . I felt heartbroken when Matilda didn’t understand why Bade was back even after she released him from his vow . She didn’t understand what being loved felt like . I also enjoyed the co relation between Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, how we are able to see when everything between Enva and Dacre began .

Don’t get me started o Matildas and Vincent’s relationship . He said he would’ve waited for her for a thousand years and she knew he was speaking the truth . This love transcended the death and even after he was gone, she left everything behind to go rest with him, to be in paradise with his mortal love .

Thank you, Netgalley .

Rebecca Ross NEVER lets me down. This book was the perfect amount of magical and romantic. I could not put it down!!

“Wild Reverence” is a love story full of tragedy, longing, and love in its many forms. Matilda’s character, while a goddess, is very relatable and readers will find themselves empathizing and rooting for her during every trial.

The book started off slow for the first hundred pages, but picked up significantly after that. The romance between Matilda and Vincent has steamy scenes, but does not go into too much detail. I would rate it high school and above depending on your area.

What a novel! I’ll be honest, I went into this book completely blind, I had no idea it was connected to Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows - and I was DELIGHTED when I learned it was in the same world, set centuries before we meet Iris and Roman. Seeing more of the Underworld and Skyward was exhilarating. What I love about Rebecca Ross’ writing is there is tons of tragedy (I can’t tell you how many times I cried while reading this one) but the way her characters endure it all makes the happiness so earned and so satisfying. Matilda and Vincent go through so much and I loved their journeys, both separately and together. This world Ross has created is unique, highly textured, and endless. I hope to read more stories of love and loss, fate and magic doors, words and souls.

Rebecca Ross has created a gorgeously atmospheric prequel in "Wild Reverence," set in the same universe as her "Letters of Enchantment" duology ("Divine Rivals" and "Ruthless Vows"). While this story stands on its own as a mythological exploration of gods, mortals, and everything in between, I personally feel it hits harder when read after the core duology. Especially given how powerfully the epilogue connects the two timelines. It felt like an Easter egg for longtime fans, and I appreciated that payoff.

This story centers on Matilda, a messenger goddess (or “herald”) who alone among the gods can traverse all three realms - mortal, Skyward, and Under. As a child, she learns to walk through dreams and begins visiting a mortal boy named Vincent, saving him from recurring nightmares. Their connection, first through dreams then real-world encounters, is the heart of the story. Though much of the book is focused on Matilda’s internal growth and moral awakening as she grapples with love, duty, and identity.

As with the "Letters of Enchantment" duology, I was fascinated by the creative modes of magical communication. This time, written prayers (burned or buried, depending on the god) replace the magically linked typewriters, and Matilda also delivers letters herself across realms. It’s a fresh take that blends intimacy with mythic scale, and it felt entirely in step with Ross’s lush, lyrical style.

Thematically, this book is rich. Matilda’s story is deeply rooted in the tension between duty vs. desire and divinity vs. humanity. Her love for a mortal forces her to question everything she’s been taught about the gods’ detachment from fleeting human lives. Her journey toward self-trust and emotional vulnerability is compelling and relatable, even for those of us who aren't delivering mail across the realms.

That said, I did find the execution a little uneven. Ross’s signature writing style, while beautiful and immersive, sometimes veered into overly descriptive territory. There were passages I found myself skimming in search of the emotional or narrative core of a scene. At times, side quests and diversions made me question whether the story’s momentum was being served. While many of those moments did add internal depth to Matilda or Vincent, a slightly more concise draft would make the emotional beats land even harder.

I also felt that the central romance lacked a bit of spark. While Matilda and Vincent had an intriguing bond from childhood onward, the chemistry between them didn’t quite reach the epic, star-crossed level the book seemed to be aiming for. I liked them both as characters, and I could see them working as a couple, but I didn’t feel it as deeply as I wanted to. The emotional weight just didn’t fully resonate for me.

Still, there’s so much to appreciate here, especially for fans of introspective fantasy, divine mythology, and lyrical prose. "Wild Reverence" explores the personal side of immortality - the quiet grief, the longing, the messy choices, and the unexpected beauty of connection.

The conclusion is satisfyingly final, tying off Matilda’s arc in a way that felt earned and complete. And again, the epilogue? Chef’s kiss. A lovely, understated bridge to the duology that made me smile in recognition.

Rating: 4 stars