I read 48% of this book, and then gave up. The stories were interesting, but as a whole, it just did not hold my attention. I struggled with the pacing. It felt like a lot of words for not a lot of action to me, and I felt like i was slogging my way through it. That being said, I really did love Matilda, and I will ask a friend who does finish the book what happens to her when it comes out. But for me, I just could not finish it. I do think many people will like it, it was just not for me.

This might be Rebecca’s best book ever. I absolutely LOVED it and can’t wait to re-read already. It’s a great look into the world that eventually becomes Divine Rivals/Ruthless Vows.

I absolutely adored both main characters and loved the inside look into the lives of the gods. I loved their love story and how it wrapped up as well as all of the adventures in between. Rarely does a book break my heart multiple times and make me truly feel like I'm lost in the story, but this one did.

thank you to saturday books for the arc.
3.75 stars, rounded up.

hey siri, play daddy issues by the neighbourhood. that explains about a third of this book.

this was a pretty wild ride. we’ve got matilda, who might as well be named hermes because she’s just casually realm-hopping through different portals. there’s a human realm, a winter court, a spring court (none of these are the official names of the realms, but you get the gist)… we’re covering all seasonal bases.

there’s also backstabbing, scheming, resurrection, and vincent. sweet, sweet vincent. if soft boys with tortured hearts are your thing, congrats.

matilda also has a family background that’s part scandal, part surprise. her parents are from two very different courts, and that dynamic added a layer of tension i didn’t expect but really appreciated.

trigger warning for loss of a parent. also, warin. not a trigger, just personally found him irritating….like the literary version of a mosquito.

if you liked the divine rivals duology, i think you’ll enjoy this one. it’s not as instantly gripping, but the magic and emotional payoff are definitely there, especially in the epilogue.

Thank you so much to Saturday Books for an early copy of Wild Reverence! I don't know if I could have made it to September without reading this book! 💕
As a HUGE Rebecca Ross fan (i.e. she's my favorite author 👀), I was SO excited for this book!!! Divine Rivals is one of my favs and I love that this book is set in the same universe as the Letters of Enchantment duology! AND in Wild Reverence we get to see where some of the Divine Rivals lore comes from and I'm absolutely obsessed with it!!!
Now about the book: as someone who has read all of Rebecca Ross's books, I will say, I think this is one of the more slower paced books (similar in pace to Sisters of Sword and Song/Ruthless Vows). I do struggle with some slower paced books BUT for this book it kind of just reminded me of some higher fantasy book pacing and I really loved that there was some action and plot twists that happened THROUGHOUT the book and didn't just happen at the end! It kind of helps spike interest and keep you intrigued! I think the pacing was also affected by the fact that the story was a little more about the characters and not so much about a central plot (like an adventure, war, quest, etc.) but there are different parts/sections of the book and the plots kind of vary among the sections.
Now I will say that this book feels a lil more fantasy romance but MAN the romance really hits once it starts! At the beginning, it gives some second chance romance/fake dating vibes and after reading the Letters of Enchantment series, we alllll know Rebecca Ross is the QUEEN of writing romantic letters between characters! 😭
I literally got goosebumps like 75,000 times while reading this book because there were so many powerful moments and I actually wanted to cry after I finished it 😭 I would say this book is a little different compared to other Rebecca Ross books but it's still just as amazing and entertaining as the others!💖

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC.

Rebecca Ross does it again. Beautiful writing and world building that truly do captivate you as a reader.

If you enjoyed the gods aspect of Divine Rivals, then this book is perfect for you. I wouldn’t say it’s a “prequel,” but it does stay in the same world, learning more about the underling and skyward gods and goddess from the original duology.

We follow Matilda (a new goddess, born to Underling and Skyward parents) and Vincent, a mortal, who meet as children. We follow their stories as they grow. It is a story filled with discovery, mystery, magic, yearning, heartbreak and love.

I will say, it is a longer book. And the first half moved a bit slowly for me. Not that it wasn’t good. Just, slower. By the second half I was fully engrossed in Matilda’s and Vincent’s stories, individual and together. I was entranced by who Matilda was and was becoming.

And I loved the ending; how we see the beginnings of our magical Alouettes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so excited when I received the ARC of Wild Reverence! I absolutely adore Rebecca Ross and her writing style—every one of her books has been a five-star read for me, and this one was no exception. I went in without reading the synopsis, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it takes place in the same universe as Divine Rivals. And honestly? Wild Reverence might be my new favorite of hers.

The writing is so dreamy and haunting—it felt like reading two sad love letters being exchanged rather than a traditional story, and I loved that atmosphere. I also really appreciated how much more we got to see of the worldbuilding: the different realms, more about Dacre’s creatures, and deeper insight into the gods. After that epilogue, I already want to reread the Divine Rivals duology.

Matilda was such a beautifully written, multifaceted character—every new layer of her made me love her more. Vincent and Nathanial were just as compelling (ahh I loved them!), but my surprise favorite ended up being Bade. His character arc was such a standout, and I loved watching his transformation throughout the story.

This is definitely a book I’ll reread soon. Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Saturday Books for the eARC—I truly cherished every page.

Wild Reverence was one of my anticipated reads for the year and I was beyond ecstatic when I saw I had the opportunity to advance read.

I couldn't wait to see how this book ended and at the same time I didn't want it to end. I absolutely adored both main characters, the magic system was rather intriguing and the writing was beautiful. Matilda and Vincent are easily a favorite couple for me, I loved seeing their growth and strength as the story progressed.

This read had me in all of my feelings; moments of sadness, hope, happiness, anxious all were felt. I loved how an exchange of letters was in this book, I adored Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows. I already know Wild Reverence will be a top favorite of mine for the year! I cannot wait to get a physical copy when it is released.

I want to thank Netgalley and publisher for allowing me the privilege to advance read!

This book needs a standing ovation. I loved every second of this delightful novel and it is so beautifully written I could weep. The world is so rich, the characters are well thought out and the plot was wonderful. I absolutely love how this ties into the "Letters of Enchantment" world so seamlessly and even knowing that it was part of the same world I had no idea how the author would tie these books together but I see the vision. For a book that is 600 pages long, I expected to get bored with this at some point and I'm so thrilled to say that this had no dull moments for me. The mortal/immortal romance angle can go very wrong if not done correctly but this was done so wonderfully and I just want to hug this book. Vincent & Matilda are forever immortalized to me.

If you loved Divine Rivals or even liked it, I think this book will definitely be a must read! I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to ARC read this book and this is one I will likely re-read time and again.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved returning to this world and I enjoyed this book even more than Divine Rivals - that's going some. The tale of Matilda and Vincent is a beautiful love story that felt like a long told myth. The rivalries and intrigue between the gods and how it intertwined with the mortal works was fascinating. I could barely put it down, and I'm sad it's over.

Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review of “Wild Reverence” by @beccajross.

This was a great return to the Divine Rivals world and I loved learning more about the gods that we got a sneak peak at during the books. I didn’t reread the books before reading this and I was able to jump right back into the fantastic world. I adore Matilda and her determination and spark.

The book, for me drug in places but it was short lived and I ended up not being able to put this book down. I loved the mystery of feeling like I was left out of something but how it all comes together in the end was so well done. In the end, I ended up really liking this book.

This was amazing, I loved it! The world-building is just amazing. Rebecca Ross is an auto-buy author for me.

I really loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows when I read them. When I heard about Wild Reverence, I knew I had to read it. I loved Matilda and Vincent as protagonists and their love story, almost as much as Roman and Iris.

Once again, I fell in love with Rebecca Ross's words and worldbuilding. Returning to the world of Divine Rivals was fantastic.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the eARC.

I read and loved Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, so I was beyond excited to return to the world Rebecca Ross so beautifully crafted, and Wild Reverence absolutely delivered.

Once again, her writing enchanted me. Her lyrical prose and masterful imagery brought this prequel to life in such a vivid, immersive way. She has a rare talent for building atmosphere that feels tangible, whether in the divine realm or the mortal world, and Wild Reverence is no exception.

I completely adored both main characters. Matilda is a standout female lead, not for bold declarations or flashy displays of power, but for her quiet, steady strength. Getting to follow her journey from childhood through adulthood made me feel deeply connected to her. Her voice, her thoughts, and her motivations are so thoughtfully portrayed. And Vincent... oh, Vincent. The yearning between him and Matilda was devastatingly beautiful. Watching them grow up both beside one another and through their shared dreams was tender and tragic in equal measure.

The plot was rich and engaging, weaving together the human and divine in a way that expanded on the events hinted at in the original duology while also standing strong on its own. I loved how it deepened the lore and history of the gods, and the callbacks to Divine Rivals were a lovely touch for those of us who have read and adored it.

Wild Reverence was everything I hoped for and more. What a beautifully written, emotionally charged tale of love, fate, and quiet heroism. It reminded me why I fell in love with this world in the first place and left me eager to explore more of Rebecca Ross’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Ross, and Saturday Books for the eARC of this book.

I had previously read Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, so I was super excited to read another book set in that world. I once again found myself adoring the writing style and the imagery that Ross delivers.

I absolutely loved both of the main characters. Matilda was such a strong FMC, yet she remains strong in a quiet, grounded way. Being able to learn about her from reading about her childhood and moving on from there was great, and I really felt connect to her as a character. The storytelling allowed the reader to have insight into Matilda's perspective and her motivation. The yearning between her and Vincent, the MMC, is amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. Watching the two of the grow up alongside each other both in person and in their dreams is just so sweet and sad.

The plot was great and incorporated both the human world and the divine ones. It allowed for further exploration into events that were mentioned in the original duology, as well as new events and plot points.

The writing of Wild Reverence was just top notch and makes me want to read more of Rebecca Ross's works!

4.5
A truly beautiful book in every way.
This book had the yearning of Divine Rivals and the sadness of Ruthless Vows. Both Vincent and Matilda were excellent characters who had so much depth. Their love story will stick with me.
I love Ross's writing style, and it really shows through in Wild Reverence. The way the setting is described in the multiple realms and how the atmosphere is created gives the story life. This book made me cry, and I had to put it down to take a break sometimes, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
I also loved the Divine Rivals call backs.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the eARC

This one was beautifully written! I didn’t read Divine Rivals before starting this so I expected to be more confused at the beginning but I was able to keep up. I appreciated how a lot of the dialogue felt like poetry. Loved all the gods lore and connections!

I’ve never read Divine Rivals or this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I saw that this was a standalone so I figured why not? I’m happy I did.

When it was announced that we’d be getting a new book in the world of Divine Rivals, I was ecstatic and curious. Ross’ prose is beautiful and the aspects of the gods in the Letters of Enchantment duology felt like there was so much more to tell.

This is a beautiful story of how fate, power, duty, and love work together and against each other.

Matilda begins as an inconsequential goddess that is kept sheltered throughout her childhood. We meet Dacre and Enva and learn of the true story to the myth we are told in Letters of Enchantment, a story in which Matilda plays a key, though unsung, role.

Vincent is the third born son and the first mortal to learn who the newest constellation belongs to. The life Vincent expected is thrown into turmoil due to another’s quest for power and Vincent ultimately accepts this power as his duty, even if it’s not something he ever expected or wanted.

Matilda and Vincent’s fates are tied together so much that even the Goddess of Death cannot untie them. Whether together or apart, they use the power that has been thrust onto each of them to fulfill their duty.

There is so much more I could say, but it crushes my heart. There are two lines that perfectly encapsulate this book:

“His name was a shiver in my bones, a whisper in my memory.”

“She was not mine by spoken vow but something deeper. Something that felt older, stronger, darker, like a language that had been sung centuries ago but had now been forgotten.”

let me start this off by saying that i actually really liked this book. i have some nitpicky things to say that might make it seem otherwise, but it was a good read, i promise! i’m a terminal hater, it’s an affliction, it can’t be helped. but the takeaway message here is: unique premise, lots of fun, even made me tear up a bit. it’s a winner!

my one consistent hangup with rebecca ross’s books is that i think she’s a bit of a tryhard (sorry). the purple prose gets a little overboard even for me sometimes, and i say this as a purple prose apologist. but something about this style clashes with a first person POV, in my opinion — i’m not saying you can’t have flowery language when you’re using this type of narration, but when it’s supposed to come off as someone’s perspective/inner thoughts it feels more incongruous. it made matilda and vincent’s narration feel the same, instead of giving each of them more of a unique voice. the style feels a bit more awkward overall than it would if the story was told from a third person POV. and even then, when you’re writing about how “his eyes were riveted to mine as if he were afraid i’d evanesce if he looked away”, i need you to take it down a few notches. she used evanesce quite a lot, actually, and irreverent, too. which is kind of funny considering the fact that the title is wild REVERENCE, and vincent is the one who’s consistently described as irreverent. like, i got it! the man does not fuck with the gods like that! put “irreverent” down and slowly back away, rebecca ross. also, the random medieval words she threw in every so often kind of cracked me up. making sure we know this story is set a long time before her duology: check!

anyway, enough of that. like i said, i did have a good time reading this! something about her books are compulsively readable for me, and i’d much rather have flowery prose that skews a bit overwrought sometimes than some of the stuff that’s out there these days. it was cool to see the foundation of the world she built in divine rivals, and i loved matilda and vincent’s story.

Fans of Rebecca Ross will love this magical, lyrical book! One of my favorite things about Rebecca Ross’s writing is her creative world-building. Her magic systems are unique, yet feel so well-established that you all but forget they only exist within this book. I loved Matilda and Vincent—along with some of our side characters—and felt immersed in the star crossed fates of gods and mortals. A wonderful addition to the letters of enchantment universe.

I am so grateful to have received an ARC!