While the narration is excellent, the actual story is hard for me to get hooked on. There hasn’t been an opportunity to connect with the characters and I find myself listening passively instead of caring about what happens next.

Not only did this preview make me interested in reading this book, but it also has me wanting to read the Divine Rivals duet.

I think my favorite part of this audiobook was the fact that the narrator had some kind of foreign accent. It really help to make the story feel more immersive and peak my interest. I will say that I was a bit confused in the beginning though. I feel like people that have already read the duet may be at more of an advantage and that this may spoil some of the other books. I obviously don't know that for sure though because I haven't read those books. I did see that this could be read without reading those first though.

The best way to make mythology fresh is to create your own pantheon and tell their stories. I absolutely loved this, I need more! Give me a closer look at Bade and Adria’s story next please!!!

Some beautiful quotes I loved:

“You hold on to her. But who could hold on to the wind?”

“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. Something that simmered in the blood, calling to me, calling to her.”

“If you asked me, I would wait for you until only my bones remained upon an altar.”

Both the book and the audio of this are fantastic. Thank you so much to NetGalley & St Martins Press for the arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story doesn’t just shine—it soars. Rebecca Ross has a gift for weaving words that lift you out of the ordinary and carry you somewhere radiant and unforgettable. Her prose is smooth as silk, yet brimming with imagery that rises off the page like wings, sweeping you higher with every chapter.

Set in the Divine Rivals universe, this standalone is nothing short of transcendent. Matilda, Vincent, Bade, and Nathaniel feel etched into the sky itself—characters who linger, who echo, who refuse to be forgotten. Closing the final page felt less like an ending and more like gazing out at an endless horizon, knowing I’ll return to Divine Rivals to rediscover every hidden constellation she’s scattered through this world.

The audiobook? Pure alchemy. The narrators don’t just read—they soar right alongside the prose, lifting it into something luminous, something that feels bigger than words alone.

To say I loved this book is not enough. It is a story that climbs, that carries, that soars—and takes your heart with it.

This audiobook was masterfully done. The narrators are perfect for the characters. I loved the dual narration, and they did each other’s dialog so well it didn’t pull me out of the story like some often do.

This was a beautiful, cozy prequel to the Divine Rivals duology. I don’t know why I was skeptical of needing this story, as I have adored all of Rebecca’s books, but I soon remembered how much I love her worlds. They are magical, cozy despite being during wartimes, and evoke many emotions in me.

This is a story of goddess Matilda’s life, growing up and into her powers, and the love story with the mortal man Vincent whose fate entwined with hers. They a drawn together and forced apart time and again. It is a beautiful tale of yearning and heartache and contentment.

You do not have to read Divine Rivals first to enjoy this, though there are some nods to it. I do want to immediately reread that series though to see again how the story of Enva and Dacre unfolded, and what happened to the rest of the gods as I do remember a lot of power grabs but not the details.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an audiobook sample for my honest opinion.

Another audiobook that truly enhances an already 5 star read.

I wish this excerpt gave more of Vincent’s POV, but it really makes me excited for the full audio.

This audio was perfect. It's so good I had to buy the whole thing and continue listening. The two narrators, George Weightman and Hannah van der Westhuysen, were perfect for it. They did such a good job.

I've not read Divine Rivals or Ruthless Vows. I will asap though. I had no idea this was a prequel to them until I read a few reviews. I loved this book. It was both heartbreaking, interesting, and magical. It was filled with so much. A fantasy, romantasy, fiction, and so much more. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I also shed a few tears while reading this. Especially in the last Act. It has five Acts and each is better than the last. Told from Matilda and Vincent's POVs.

This book takes you through three realms. Matilda is a goddess. She has powerful magic. She lives in the underworld but can go to other worlds. There are doors that take her. She meets her father after losing her mother. He is from the upper world. He is not a warm sort. He is a brute in my opinion.

Matilda meets Vincent through his dreams. As children. She helps him in many ways with the nightmares he has. When they finally do meet face to face though the story really reaches a whole new plateau... I loved reading about them. About the tension between them. The love blossoming. Vincent is human. A mortal. Vincent will age and eventually die. Matilda will not.

This book is stunning. It's written in such beautiful detail that you will feel it in your heart. It brings out emotions. Hopes. You root for Matilda. For Vincent. You get involved with Vincent's world and love the people there. His brother. It's just a great story. One I will most likely want to read again. After I read the first two that is.

Thank you #StMartinsPress/SaturdayBooks for this ARC.

The audio narration for Wild Reverence is absolutely stunning! I already read the book, but listening to the audio has me so much more immersed in the story. Not to mention, I adore the narrator's voices!

“Which do you think is weaker, Matilda? Your mind or your heart?”

Coming off Divine Rivals duology, I had very high hopes for The Wild Reverence. And while the writing was just as lyrical and atmospheric, and the themes just as sweeping and interesting with gods at war, dream connections, fate, stars, and death; it didn’t quite hit the same emotional mark for me as Divine Rivals did.

The love story between Vincent and Matilda felt more like fated mates/insta-love than earned. The set up was there with the dream connection, the meeting for the first time as teens, but when they were actually together, I felt very little chemistry between them. It’s beautifully written and full of longing, but I struggled with the emotional balance. Vincent’s devotion to Matilda is palpable, aching, even. His letters, his quiet sacrifices, his constant yearning, it’s all stunning. But I never fully felt that Matilda met him with the same intensity. Her actions didn’t always scream "in love", which made the romance feel a little one-sided at times. The two characters also spent so little time together physically that there really wasn't an opportunity for the epic love story to happen.

That said, there are still moments that shine. For starters, Rebecca Ross does write beautiful lines like: “She was my secret. And I imagine I was hers.” or “My home is your home. My arms are a haven for you to rest. My last name is yours if you desire it. I will love you to my grave, and even beyond it, when the mists welcome me, when I am hopefully very old and gray and grouchy and have spent the seasons beside you when you are here and dreaming of you when you are gone.” were simply unforgettable. And the world Ross built is layered with magic and myths remains a strength. I loved being able to see the divine side of the divine rivals' universe.

I appreciated the blend of the "mundane and the magical, the mortal and the divine." The story is rich in atmosphere, and the ending gave a satisfying full circle moment with the typewriters at the very end, which segways right into the original series. It’s a good book. Just not quite the emotional punch I was hoping for.

Tropes: Dream connections, gods at war, mortal x immortal, marriage of convenience, "who did this to you", and only one bed

Perfect for fantasy mythology fans.

Wild Reverence is Rebecca's finest work to date.

This book is set in the world of Divine Rivals, but I do believe it is written for fans of her adult duology, "The Isles of Cadence". Rich in tone and character, this is a story that follows the Goddess Matilda as she discovers what she would sacrifice for a deep forbidden love...all while trying to find her place of belonging within vast realms.

At first this might seem like a slower paced story. Rebecca really takes her time to dive into the expansion of the world, melding myth and legend to create a new lore all her own. If you love reading Greek mythology story of strong women...this is an ode that will not disappoint and feels entire unique.

This story at its core is a romance... woven together by constellations, dreams and shared understanding. It's SO romantic and heartfelt and I was sold on the chemistry from the beginning. The declaration of love is one of the BEST i've ever read (so I read it twice). Matilda is a complex main character who has fascinating relationships with the Gods and humans around her. Vincent is stalwart and steadfast...with an enduring heart that will capture your own.

This book is gorgeous, ethereal and a new favorite from Rebecca for me. Easily one of my favorite reads for the year, and one I will be thinking about for time to come.

**excellent on audiobook. I enjoy both narrators for Vincent and Matilda's voice and felt like they were spot on for the characters. Easy to recommend if you love this media option.

Rebecca Ross did it again! I loved being back in this world again and finding out more of how things came to be. When I heard there was a prequel coming in my favorite world, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. There’s something about Rebecca Ross’ writing that’s so lyrical and really emerges you fully. Divine Rivals was one of my favorite fantasy books I’ve ever read and this one didn’t disappoint one bit. I read this via audiobook and the narration was incredible! Hannah van der Westhuysen, George Weightman and Rebecca Norfolk did an absolutely fantastic job bringing this world to life and making me get lost in their words. Another 5 star read from this author and I can’t wait to see what she has coming next!

Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Ross & the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased feedback.

This book will be released on September 2, 2025!

This audiobook sneak peek was amazing! Both roles were so well done. It really adds to the story and made me feel like I was apart of everything happening. I can’t wait to continue the book!

This review is over the first 18 chapters of the audiobook which were generously made free on NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This book is wonderful, and I’m feral for the rest of the it. This is dual narration although the majority of the first 18 chapters are through the eyes of the FMC, Matilda. This book starts with the story of her birth as one of the last godchildren to be had. The gods are based in astrology and are just as arrogant and fickle and clever as one might expect. Matilda is destined to be a herald according to her constellation, and acts as an intermediary between the Underlings and the Skywards.

We follow Matilda through her formational years where she develops a fondness for a mortal boy which she learns about by reading his dreams. Where this 18 chapter “teaser” leaves off is when the two main characters are leaving childhood behind and heading into adulthood and their power.

The voice actors were amazing. The story itself is beautiful and gracefully charming. I cannot wait to find out how it ends, I need to get my hands on an actual book now.

<i>

I laid my ear upon his chest where I could hear the steady thrum of his heart. His fault line, the weak point in his armor. And I closed my eyes.

He held me like a mortal father embraces his daughter, like nothing could tear me from him.

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

Thank you so much for the preview of this highly anticipated book. The production is fantastic and I really enjoyed the performances from these extremely talented narrators. The story is enchanting and I can’t wait to continue. I have not read the Divine Rivals books yet so I think I need physical pages to flip back and forth to reference characters and unfamiliar aspects from this world. I will definitely continue with a physical book and audio book together for a fully immersive read.

I am on the edge of my seat to hear the rest! This sneak peek was so good! I loved the original duology book and wild reverence is amazing. Well done with the narration! amazing work! can't wait to listen to the full product.

⭐️5
🌶️1

The world build is top tier and nothing but magical. I enjoyed the fresh take on tropes and gods. The FMC Matilda was so dynamic. The found family represented in this book was expertly written. The MMC Vincent was complex and relatable. I couldn’t take my headphones off!

Thank you author Rebecca Ross, NetGalley, and Macmillan audio for this ALC opportunity!

Cannot wait to read the rest of this book. I loved Divine Rivals & stepping back into this world is a welcomed opportunity!

Just dove into the Wild Reverence audiobook by Rebecca Ross—and wow, talk about immersion. Matilda’s journey across magical realms, the yearning with Vincent, and those dreamy narrators had me transfixed. Absolutely gorgeous audio vibes. The cast of narrators did a fantastic job pulling me into the story it was such a beautiful and fun listen!

This is the magical world behind Divine Rivals and I only listen tot he preview which was about the first 4 hours of the audio book. It is well narrated and absolutely cannot wait for the rest

This sneak peek is so well done. The first 18 charters are approximately 4 listening hours, and they suck you right into the story. This is the full part 1 of the book and by the end of it you're either on the edge of your seat annoyed that you don't have more or scurrying to purchase more of the audiobook. I was the latter for sure. as soon as I finished the first 18 chapters I needed more of this book. The book is so well written that you're immediately sucked into a whole new world. I cannot express how much I have fallen in love with her writing style. I must pick up more of her books.

The full audiobook is done in a multicast narration style. It included George Weightman, Hannah van der Westhuysen and Rebecca Norfolk. Even though this is a multicast narration each narrator does all the voices in their POV chapter (so no duet). Although, I prefer a duet style, I thought that the narrators did an impeccable job changing up their voices for the different characters. I really enjoyed this audiobook.