Another magical book from Rebecca Ross! Her writing is, of course, lyrical and stunning, with every sentence its own masterpiece. I love to savor her books because the writing and story deserve to be admired and fully taken in. Reading slowly worked well for this book too, because there's a lot of details to remember and absorb.

All elements in this book are perfection. The world and magic are stunningly detailed and vivid. The story feels reminiscent of a mythical fairytale. I loved the subtle ties to the Divine Rivals book. And I especially loved Matilda and Vincent as characters. Their love story is one for the ages.

However, it did feel slow at parts. For most of it, I felt that it was missing tension and urgency. I just wasn’t super drawn to pick it up, and it was easy to put down. But still loved it when I did read, and I still think this book is very worthy of five stars!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Saturday Books, for the arc!

Content: 2-3 vague open door

"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."

Wild Reverence is a novel that feels like a celestial hymn, a story spun from stardust and longing, where every page glows with divine magic and the quiet ache of destiny. It’s a breathtaking journey where gods and mortals walk the same roads, where love and betrayal are inked into the fabric of the heavens, and where the smallest whisper can send ripples through eternity. Set 600 years before Divine Rivals, this standalone novel immerses readers in the ruthless court of Dacre, where gods wield power like weapons, and survival depends not only on strength, and cunning, but also the alliances one dares to forge.

At the heart of this tale is Matilda, a young Underling goddess born of both Underling and Skyward lineage. But unlike the deities who revel in power and ambition, Matilda’s gift is subtle—messenger magic. With six stars to her name, she is neither the weakest nor a coveted prize for those who would steal power through divine treachery. As a herald, Matilda alone can traverse the three realms—Underling, Mortal, and Skyward—delivering letters between gods. It is a quiet magic, overlooked in a world where gods clash and mortals pray, but as Matilda soon learns, words have power. And sometimes, the smallest voices are the ones that shape the stars.

Her first delivery leads her to a fateful meeting with Vincent, a mortal boy whose dreams have long intertwined with hers. What begins as a chance encounter soon deepens into a connection that threatens the armour she has so carefully built around her heart.

Ross’ celestial magic system is nothing short of mesmerizing. Gods are born with stars that dictate their power, and constellations mark their place in the divine hierarchy. As she learns to navigate the treacherous politics of the divine court, she must also contend with the stirrings of her own heart and the love she was never meant to have.

The prose in Wild Reverence is nothing short of transcendent. Each sentence is crafted with such aching beauty that it feels less like reading and more like falling into a dream—one laced with poetry, longing, and the bittersweet echoes of a story that feels both eternal and fleeting. Ross’ attention to detail is exquisite, from the poetic symmetry between Wild Reverence and Divine Rivals to the evocative chapter titles that felt like whispers of fate. There is a weight to this book, a depth that lingers in the bones long after the final page is turned. It speaks to the soul, reminding us that even the gentlest of voices can shift the course of fate.

It's a love letter to stories, to devotion, to the delicate balance between reverence and rebellion. Ross has once again proven that she is a master of crafting worlds that feel as real as they are ethereal, and characters who stay with you long after their tale has been told.

I am utterly undone by this book. This is the kind of story that lingers, like the last notes of a song, echoing in the soul. And it is one I see myself returning to very often!

My deepest gratitude to St. Martin’s Press for granting me an e-ARC on NetGalley after I poured my heart into an email, desperate for just a glimpse of this magic. Wild Reverence is not just a book—it is a reverie, a celestial wonder, a story that will live on in the spaces between the stars.

NOTES:
*Much like the Letters of Enchantment duology, I highly recommend listening to Rebecca Ross’s Wild Reverence playlist on Spotify. The music brings this world to life, pulling you even deeper into its quiet magic and ethereal wonder.

This novel weaves an enchanting tale set in a world where gods hold power over mortals, and the stakes are higher than ever. Matilda, the youngest goddess of her clan, finds herself caught in a web of deceit, secrecy, and forbidden love. Her role as a messenger in the divine realm is complicated by her own dark secret—one that could cost her everything. The mythology and world-building are rich, offering a fascinating look at a divine society where survival is a constant struggle.

The romance between Matilda and Vincent, a mortal boy who dreams of her, adds a layer of depth and complexity to the plot. Their journey from dreams to reality is filled with tension, and the dynamic between them evolves beautifully, making for a deeply emotional and passionate connection. The contrast between the divine and mortal worlds creates a compelling narrative, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and vulnerability.

The author has skillfully crafted a story where divine power meets human emotion, and the result is a sweeping, breathtaking novel that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable, as Matilda must choose between love and duty, magic and humanity. This book is a must-read for fans of romance, mythology, and stories of self-discovery.

‘Wild Reverence’ by Rebecca Ross is an absolute masterpiece. I didn’t think I would desperately fall in love with these characters the way I was obsessed with Iris and Roman…but I was so wrong. Obsession is not even a word to use for how I feel for this book. This story was PHENOMENAL.

One of the most whimsical, haunting world she’s crafted! From the very first page, I was swept away by the rich, immersive storytelling and the heart-wrenching romance that unfolds between Matilda and Vincent. Their connection was simply BEAUTIFUL. It will have you your jaw on the floor where you are aching and begging for more. The tension between divine power and human emotion had me completely captivated. Ross has a way of blending myth, magic, and vulnerability that makes every page feel like a delicate yet devastating journey.

I sobbed like crazy. This was easily a 5 star read and if it was possible I’d take it to infinity. I will never be able to stop thinking about this book and the love between Vincent and Matilda. This is the story for the ages and I can’t wait to have a physical copy in my hands.👏

as someone who doesn't read fantasy often, i was glad i got some background from reading the divine rivals duology. however, i will say there is a lot to keep track of which resulted in me taking my time to absorb the storyline as well as matilda and vincent's story. their love didn't feel as deep as some of ross' other works but maybe that's because matilda and vincent's story was started in vincent's dreams. i just wanted them to have more time interacting.

This book was absolutely beautiful and I read it in one sitting. Rebecca Ross has given me exactly what I was looking for after finishing Divine Rivals, a look into what the gods world looks like. I was quickly hooked into the world building of this, grasping for more and always wanting more and I never found myself bored of the story. The characters especially Matilda all had wonderful development and none of them were boring which I enjoyed :)
I do hope we get more of a look into the gods world and not just this book because I feel so many stories could come out of it
Thank you to St. Martins Press and Saturday Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am emotionally drained and revived, and Rebecca Ross, I thank you for it. I don’t know how to put my thoughts and feelings into words without saying too much, but I’ll try my best.

This was a sweeping tale of love and loss and sacrifice and hope and so many nuances of life. Rebecca Ross has woven the story among the gods of the sky and the underworld and in the mortal realm. She writes in such a beautiful way that had me feeling wrecked and yet desperate for more, feeling intensely attached to these characters, and feeling all the joy, agony, desperation, and love alongside them. I took my time reading this to savor the entire experience, along for whatever ride the journey was going to take me on. I have a feeling the audio is going to be fantastic and I already can’t wait for an immersive reread when that format is available.

I finished this book with tears in my eyes and feeling blessed that Rebecca Ross gave us another book in this universe. This one will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to Saturday Books via NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Readers,

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Saturday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! It was an honor to read my favorite author's newest prose, fresh off the press and months ahead of release. I can guarantee fans of Ross's signature storytelling ability will be enchanted by her newest utterly romantic tale - one where her magical words shine bright as the stars. It's as divine and whimsical as I had hoped, and it's sure to live in my mind, and on my shelf, for a long time.

Rewinding 600 years before the events of 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴, we meet a young Underling goddess, Matilda, as she navigates youth in Dacre's ruthless court. She has the ability to traverse the realms, underling, mortal, and skyward, as a herald, and she delivers letters for the divines.

While delivering her first letter, she crosses paths with a mortal boy, Vincent, whom she has previously connected with in his dreams. They establish a connection, one that develops a weakness in Matilda's armor around her heart.

I was enraptured by the celestial magic system - divines are born with stars, which symbolize their strength of power, and their positions are portrayed through their constellations.

Matilda, the youngest of the divine born to an Underling and a Skyward, enters the realm with six stars, earning her perceived safety. She's not the weakest, but she's also not a target for divines seeking additional power through murderous betrayal. She trains with Bade, the god of war, to sharpen and protect her mind, body, and heart for the trials ahead of her as she discovers her powers and falls in love.

I adore Ross's attention to detail from impeccable word choice and drool-worthy, dreamy sentences to touching chapter titles and moments of symmetry to its connected duology. Her penchant for story telling is clear and shines brightly in this masterfully woven, spellbinding standalone.

For a fully immersive experience, I recommend listening to Ross's 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 playlist on Spotify - it brings this magical, quaint world to life as you lose yourself between the pages.

While the brilliant epilogue is a fantastic segway into 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴, I would suggest reading the Letters of Enchantment duology first, if you haven't already.

𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 hits shelves this September, and it's one you won't want to miss. Enjoy the adventure, and cherish every word!

Sincerely,
Sarah
@acaffeinated_bookworm

P. S.
This letter was delivered with love from Matilda ✨💫

i am at a loss for words. this book was beautiful, heartbreaking, and perfect. this book is ginormous, not in terms of length, but rather the depths at which I’ve become so intimately attached to it.

this is a story about the gods, love, betrayal, and magic. set before the divine rivals duology, this book immerses us back into Rebecca Ross’ lyrical world with some familiar faces. 


i cannot even begin to express how grateful i am to have received an advanced readers copy of this. thank you to Rebecca Ross and the publisher for gifting me this beautiful book. i will cherish this one for eternity.

wild reverence releases on September 2nd. please do yourself a favor and preorder this one. while i’d highly suggest reading divine rivals & ruthless vows for their sheer beauty, it is not necessary to read those before reading this one 🤍✨ (the emotional impact with reading this after the duology though is WOW)

After falling in love with Rebecca Ross's writing in Divine Rivals, I was excited to hear about her new book that set place in the same world as Divine Rivals. Wild Reverence is the story of the Herald Matilda and all that she endures. Matilda eventually falls in love with a mortal man who she meets in his dreams...always saving him from his worst nightmares. When years later she is sent a letter from Death herself to Vincent - she decides to stay in the mortal world and help him through his mortal predicaments. If they were to fall in love with one another where would this lead? She is immortal and he is merely human - how would they make their relationship work?

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. I loved getting to know Matilda and what made her the unique goddess she is. And her interactions with Vincent were always so *magical*. I will say that I wanted more romance from Wild Reverence. The storyline was so complex and I wanted more time with Matilda and Vincent. And maybe this was intentional as she is a goddess and he is a mortal - there time will always be limited.

One of my favorite relationships in Wild Reverence was between Matilda and her salt-sworn ally Bade. I loved their bittersweet relationship - something akin to father and daughter. Their interactions perhaps had me fighting back tears the most.

Overall I would rate Wild Reverence somewhere between a 3 and 4 stars. While I enjoyed it, I wanted more romance. If you are a fan of mythology - I feel like this would be the perfect book for you.

Wild Reverence, WOW. This story is Rebecca Ross at her most lyrical (though you have to consider I’ve only read her Divine Rivals duology). It’s a story of gods, mortals, dreams, power, choices, and some mysteries. Her writing is lush and lyrical, deeply thought provoking. Returning to this fictional world was a gift.

I did find the beginning slow, because I was excited for Matilda to be an adult and also to see Vincent’s POV. But you have to get through her lore and “adolescence.” Once I got through the first act, it did pick up. Some chapters were slower than others, but I was always very curious where the story was going. There is so much world building, especially about the gods. It’s very fleshed out. Also, so many words I had to look up while reading - lots of old English/medieval type terminology. I learned a lot!

I looked for little snippets of Enva and Dacre that would become relevant for the DR duology and I actually think there was either some plot holes there, or maybe it’s that I forgot what was relevant for them. So that might have been a me issue, or something that will be worked out in her final edits. You can definitely read this book without having read the duology, since it’s a prequel. But I definitely think reading them after (or before is fine too) would be ideal!

Though this book is considered adult fantasy, the romance scenes are mostly fade to black or not very explicitly detailed. I’d rate it as no spice.

The last act is when I started getting teary and crying. So many emotions! Vincent and Nathaniel are my favorite characters, protect them at all costs.

The epilogue? CHILLS!

Thank you to St. Martin’s, Saturday Books & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rebecca Ross has this incredible way of weaving together magic and emotion, and this story absolutely swept me away. The world feels so rich and immersive, with gods and mortals tangled in a dance of power, secrets, and longing. Matilda’s strength and vulnerability were beautifully balanced, and I adored how her journey wasn’t just about survival but also about embracing her own heart. And Vincent. Oh, Vincent. There’s something so deeply moving about a connection that transcends dreams, where the echoes of the past linger even when memory fades. The romance had that delicious, aching pull, filled with yearning and tender moments that made me catch my breath. It wasn’t just the grand gestures or the fated pull that gripped me, but the raw honesty in their interactions. Every glance and every word felt heavy with meaning. Ross’s prose is stunning, poetic in a way that makes the emotions hit even harder. It’s the kind of writing that stays with you, painting vivid scenes that linger in your mind. And the themes. The weight of sacrifice, the fear of being truly seen, the power of love to defy even the gods. It’s all so beautifully explored. There’s a tension that thrums through the pages, a sense of inevitability that makes every choice feel monumental. The under realm is dark and dangerous, but there’s a strange beauty in it too, reflecting the duality of both the world and its characters. I loved it.

Infinite stars for Wild Reverence!

You can tell that Rebecca Ross has the most beautiful soul just through her writing. I am spellbound by her words. I felt every single emotion possible in this novel – happiness, grief, yearning, love, heartbreak, distress, peace – and I loved every second. The story ties in bits and pieces from Divine Rivals perfectly while still bringing in its own lore and mystery. It’s quite simply perfect. I can’t say much else other than that!

It’s only March, and I believe this will be my favorite book of the year. It certainly is my favorite of Rebecca’s novels so far, and I didn’t think anything could topple ‘A Fire Endless’ for that spot!

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press/Saturday Books, for my e-ARC!

”I would wait a thousand years for you,” ... “If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar. But if you must leave again, then let me follow you…”

If there is a story that defines what true love is - it is Wild Reverence.

Rebecca Ross write stories so beautifully and immaculately, Wild Reverence is no exception. The story flows smoothly and although we’ve seen a glimpse of this world in Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, there was still a ton to unfold and a lot to discover in Wild Reverence.

It is a story of gods and goddesses and mortals; of dreams and letters; of friends to lovers; of yearning and pining; of betrayal and alliances; of death and second chances; of horoscope and magic. And perhaps the most important of all, it is a story of love in its purest form.

Oh Matilda and Vincent, what am I to do with you… You made me feel love and also devastation. That ending is the perfect ending 🥺 This story will forever have me in its grasp.

Other things:
- Fake marriage
- Slow burn
- He has a nickname for her
- Who did this to you?!
- Father figure
- Chapters in roman numerals
- Chapter titles

I adore this cute little tidbit:
”♥️ The keys I and R and M and V ♥️”

And if there is a bible verse that describes Wild Reverence, it has to be this:

”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Thank you Macmillan for the advance digital copy!

I’m almost at a loss for words on how to describe how much I loved this book. I loved Divine Rivals so I was excited to read an adult standalone set in the same world.

This book was just magical to me. Rebecca did an amazing job at embodying how gods are different from mortals, yet Vincent loves her because of that, not in spite of it. The love between Matilda and Vincent was so tender and so pure that I’m not surprised I shed a few tears while reading.

The writing itself is also just beautiful. Lyrical, magical, and giving life to the story unfolding.

I was not expecting this story to intertwine with Divine Rivals so deeply, on how Matilda’s story is the reason we have the typewriters, and how her life and her magic shaped how the typewriters work.

Rebecca Ross’ work is some of the most beautifully written that will resonate with you for ages and Wild Reverence is no exception. Told many years before Divine Rivals takes place, this is a story of a young goodness who is torn between many realms and who visits the dreams of a mortal man by chance. From there; their fate is forever entwined.

It was so beautiful and raw. I followed each word captivated with this story. I can not believe the feelings it invoked, my eyes full of tears. I can not find enough words to describe this story except that it has claimed a spot in my heart. People might say that this story was about a goddess who loved a mortal but it is so much more.

“I would wait a thousand years for you,” i will always remember this story and Vincent's word

I was really scared of this book, and especially reading it I thought it was going to end tragically. I did not feel sad at the end, I am also really awed by the epilogue and how it ties into Divine Rivals. This also had an amazing father/daughter duo that I was not expecting.

A must read for anyone who liked Divine Rivals. A young goddess finds navigating the courts of the gods and the human realm extremely challenging when fate, love, and death all seem to be at odds.

I love Rebecca Ross’s writing style. I think her prose is beautiful and flows exceptionally well. I was very hesitant when starting this book because it is set in the world of Divine Rivals (before those events) and the weakest part of those books were the gods. Only to find that in this book, the gods are fascinating, multi-layered, devious, and scary. Just what a pantheon should be. The character work was excellent (growth from multiple main characters) and the plot kept me hooked from start to finish. If I had a minor complaint, it would be the predictability at points, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I would gladly read another book (or 10) about these gods. But to have a stand-alone this good was a treat. There was an excellent balance between character building, plot, and romance. Rebecca Ross remains the gold standard when it comes to Romantasy.

I ate this like an Underling god recieving a prayer. It was delicious and I want more!

It was such a pleasure to be returning to this world of Divine Rivals. I loved that duology, so when I saw that Rebecca Ross was returning to this world with a story from before that time centering on the gods I knew I was going to read it!

We start of witnessing the birth of Matilda and her constellation of six stars. She is to be the herald of the realms, a lower mid-tier goddess born of two realms. Underling and Skyward. Caught between the two, not really belonging to either. I related to watching her struggle with this aspect of her birth a lot, it reminded me a lot of the modern day complexities that arise because you are biracial (enter me, a biracial lady).

She meets Vincent in his dreams when they were kids, starting the entanglement of their threads of fate there. Unfortunately some things happen that make a gap of time where they grow up, but they meet again when Vincent needs her help the most. There is a trope(spoiler of trope can be seen at bottom) here that happens that I was not expecting but ABSOLUTELY LOVED READING. It was well done in my opinion, and made a lot of sense.

There is a lot of Underling/Skyward political world building, and of you read Divine Rivals and wanted to understand more about how the gods were you get that with this book. But you don't have to read the Divine Rivals duology to enjoy this book!

Overall I finished this in a day and would read it again!

SPOILER TROPE: fake dating