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4.61 AVERAGE
4.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wild Reverence is beautifully written and deeply immersive with poetic prose that feels otherworldly and I ate it up. I went in knowing little about the world, since I haven’t read Divine Rivals yet (which is absolutely next), and I was blown away.
Set in the same universe as Divine Rivals, this novel functions as both a prequel and a standalone. Though the pacing begins on the slower side, it makes it easier to absorb the world-building, the introduction of gods and realms, the ensemble of characters, and the rising stakes. My love for Matilda and Vincent extended to several side characters, some of whom I was glad to see become more prominent as the story progressed.
The forbidden love and second-chance romance between them is tender and full of yearning, reminding us that to be seen is to be loved. I appreciated how Ross portrayed them as mature, emotionally complex adults navigating trust, vulnerability, and sacrifice despite their circumstances. Their journey is as much about healing as it is about love.
Reading this novel was an emotional experience, and I cherished every moment. This is easily one of my favorite books and what a way to be introduced to Rebecca Ross!
Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross is expected to be published on September 2, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an unbiased review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Set in the same universe as Divine Rivals, this novel functions as both a prequel and a standalone. Though the pacing begins on the slower side, it makes it easier to absorb the world-building, the introduction of gods and realms, the ensemble of characters, and the rising stakes. My love for Matilda and Vincent extended to several side characters, some of whom I was glad to see become more prominent as the story progressed.
The forbidden love and second-chance romance between them is tender and full of yearning, reminding us that to be seen is to be loved. I appreciated how Ross portrayed them as mature, emotionally complex adults navigating trust, vulnerability, and sacrifice despite their circumstances. Their journey is as much about healing as it is about love.
Reading this novel was an emotional experience, and I cherished every moment. This is easily one of my favorite books and what a way to be introduced to Rebecca Ross!
Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross is expected to be published on September 2, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an unbiased review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
I honestly wish I could give this book 6 ⭐. Rebecca's writing is just so beautiful and magical, and the characters and world she builds with it are exquisite. Matilda, Vincent, AND Bade's character growth along with other side characters, was perfect. As soon as I started reading I felt like I was transported into the underworld, skyworld, and mortal realm of hers. the magic system and claiming of other gods powers is brilliant, and kept me on the edge of my seat, like who do you trust!? I cannot wait for this to be released and have a physical copy for my trophy shelf.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
The absolutely magical feel of this story reminded me of reading Greek and Roman myths with the gods fighting over power and having secret children. Matilda is the youngest god, the only one born recently, and a complete mystery, even to herself. As she grows into her powers, she finds that makes her a target of the political infighting of their system.
At the same time, a mortal teenager begins to see her in his dreams. They have a slow burn with a long separation that leads to a fake marriage. As the gods meddle in the affairs of men, Matilda and Vincent struggle to decide who they are and what they mean to each other.
I adored the magic system, the way they related to the stars, and the tie-in to the Letters of Enchantment at the end of the book. Ms. Ross's writing style is beautiful and kept the pages turning as I desired to see where the book would go next.
At the same time, a mortal teenager begins to see her in his dreams. They have a slow burn with a long separation that leads to a fake marriage. As the gods meddle in the affairs of men, Matilda and Vincent struggle to decide who they are and what they mean to each other.
I adored the magic system, the way they related to the stars, and the tie-in to the Letters of Enchantment at the end of the book. Ms. Ross's writing style is beautiful and kept the pages turning as I desired to see where the book would go next.
"I am yours, Red. I will always be yours. Not even Death can change that.”
You know in some books that feature gods and fate, how in the prologue they give us a lil backstory or historically significant info and then chapter one comes in and we meet the main characters? Well, that’s how this book felt. A giant prologue. Full of description and flowery language, but not the actual story.
I should have known that one day she would return to me, unexpected and unceremoniously, as only a divine could do.
I know it’s actually a prequel to Divine Rivals, that’s very clear throughout the book and the ending (!), but it reads so literally like a prologue to Divine Rivals, so much so that I was kinda bored, waiting for the story to start. I was kinda bored and it took 4-ish chapters for me to realize that Matilda was actually the main character and not just the prologue character (can you tell I didn’t read the synopsis first? This was an auto-approved ARC, I never read the blurbs lmao). By 25% I was still kinda waiting for the story to start, even though I'd read the synopsis by then. I dunno how to describe this feeling, but it was weird 😅
You know in some books that feature gods and fate, how in the prologue they give us a lil backstory or historically significant info and then chapter one comes in and we meet the main characters? Well, that’s how this book felt. A giant prologue. Full of description and flowery language, but not the actual story.
I should have known that one day she would return to me, unexpected and unceremoniously, as only a divine could do.
I know it’s actually a prequel to Divine Rivals, that’s very clear throughout the book and the ending (!), but it reads so literally like a prologue to Divine Rivals, so much so that I was kinda bored, waiting for the story to start. I was kinda bored and it took 4-ish chapters for me to realize that Matilda was actually the main character and not just the prologue character (can you tell I didn’t read the synopsis first? This was an auto-approved ARC, I never read the blurbs lmao). By 25% I was still kinda waiting for the story to start, even though I'd read the synopsis by then. I dunno how to describe this feeling, but it was weird 😅
Dear Matilda.
I buried my prayers in the garden, letting the soil cover my inked words.
Dear Matilda.
The parchment disappeared, and I imagined it reaching her somewhere far beneath my feet, in a world I could marvel over but never fully know, never fully see.
Dear Matilda.
All that said, it did pick up at the, like, 70% mark, and it felt more like Matilda and Vincent’s story, and while I found it did drag on a bit, I still enjoyed it enough. Not to the same calibre as Divine Rivals, but enough.
“He may be irreverent toward all of us, save for you. I think he desires to worship you.”
I loved that letter writing was featured in here a little again, and it was full of heartbreak and wanting and whimsy, just like Letters of Enchantment. I know, logically, I shouldn't keep comparing it, but alas. Rebecca knows how to set the mood with her storytelling, and this was adult, so there was a little spice pepper 🌶️
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.
I really liked both Matilda and Vincenet, I thought they were great characters, and I really loved Bade too (and I wanted more of him in the end!). Matilda was strong, independent, brave, loving, empathetic (which, for a goddess, says something, even Enva wasn’t that caring), and devoted to Vincent. Vincent was someone who appeared to be soft and tender-hearted, but still fought in the wars and ruled his land. A great mix really. There was also a highly anticipated “who did this to you” and I was living for it!
“Because she is yours, as you are hers,” Bade replied quietly. “And she is precious to me.”
I did wish there was more of Bade because I liked him, even though he had a rocky start, and I loved his personality. Enva and Dacre were obviously in this, you get to meet them at the beginning of the issue that leads to Divine Rivals, and you find out that Dacre was always a piece of shit and Enva is clever af.
Dedication: For anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, Netgalley, and the author for this ARC!
Some stories claim that humans are beholden to the gods. But that is also not true. The divine is nothing without mortal hearts. And should we love them, we should not be punished for it.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The tropes consist of:
Forbidden romance
Friends to lovers
Fake dating
Gods and mortals
Found family
Slow burn
This is a standalone adult fantasy prequel set long before the events of The Letters of Enchantment duology. I appreciated the nods and references to characters in the previous books although this prior knowledge is not required to follow Matilda and Vincent’s story in Wild Reverence.
The basic plot is very simple: a child goddess forms a friendship with a mortal child, they become estranged and years later they are reunited as adults when they become allies against a common enemy. We spend quite a bit of time with them as children so when the time jump happens, I felt their friendship had been well developed and I sensed their deep connection.
The romance is the main focus of the story and this is where the writing evoked pleasure and sorrow in equal measure, most effective because it’s dual POV. I am not ashamed to admit that I did become teary eyed a few times.
I found the opening slow and rather exposition heavy, especially with all the gods to keep track of, and this bogged down the pacing somewhat, but once I got past this, the middle section of the book is where the story finds its rhythm. The worldbuilding was strong and the different realms were distinct and unique from each other. I was invested in Matilda and Vincent outwitting their adversary and the interesting use of various god magics juxtaposed against human limitations in warfare.
There is very little spice or graphic violence, but it still felt like a sweeping and epic romantic fantasy.
4 stars.
The tropes consist of:
Forbidden romance
Friends to lovers
Fake dating
Gods and mortals
Found family
Slow burn
This is a standalone adult fantasy prequel set long before the events of The Letters of Enchantment duology. I appreciated the nods and references to characters in the previous books although this prior knowledge is not required to follow Matilda and Vincent’s story in Wild Reverence.
The basic plot is very simple: a child goddess forms a friendship with a mortal child, they become estranged and years later they are reunited as adults when they become allies against a common enemy. We spend quite a bit of time with them as children so when the time jump happens, I felt their friendship had been well developed and I sensed their deep connection.
The romance is the main focus of the story and this is where the writing evoked pleasure and sorrow in equal measure, most effective because it’s dual POV. I am not ashamed to admit that I did become teary eyed a few times.
I found the opening slow and rather exposition heavy, especially with all the gods to keep track of, and this bogged down the pacing somewhat, but once I got past this, the middle section of the book is where the story finds its rhythm. The worldbuilding was strong and the different realms were distinct and unique from each other. I was invested in Matilda and Vincent outwitting their adversary and the interesting use of various god magics juxtaposed against human limitations in warfare.
There is very little spice or graphic violence, but it still felt like a sweeping and epic romantic fantasy.
4 stars.
A literal masterpiece. I don't know what Rebecca Ross puts in her books to make them appeal specifically to me each and every time, but I am so so grateful.
This was one of my favourite reads of the year, without a doubt. I loved Divine Rivals, and getting to see the full pantheon of those gods and how they interact and move through the realms was a real treat. Her writing is so magical and beautiful, and it lends her characters and settings so much life. The romance was wonderful, as was the central plot around the battle on the river. I got major Game of Thrones vibes the entire time, but in the best way possible.
Loved every minute of this and I cannot wait for more from Ross!
This was one of my favourite reads of the year, without a doubt. I loved Divine Rivals, and getting to see the full pantheon of those gods and how they interact and move through the realms was a real treat. Her writing is so magical and beautiful, and it lends her characters and settings so much life. The romance was wonderful, as was the central plot around the battle on the river. I got major Game of Thrones vibes the entire time, but in the best way possible.
Loved every minute of this and I cannot wait for more from Ross!
If you only read one book this year, let it be this one! Like Divine Rivals, this is up there as one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. This is an emotional masterpiece.
“For anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love.”
The story follows Matilda who is a young goddess who goes between realms delivering messages and letters. She meets a mortal boy, Vincent, through his dreams. Years later, she takes on a quest from Death to deliver a letter to mortal who is doomed to die. As the fates have it, this mortal is Vincent who she does not want to die, and instead chooses to help aid him. The rest I’ll let you read on your own.
Just know this is poetic, beautiful, and emotional. You are going to want to have some tissues ready. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while.
That epilogue? Perfection! If you have read Divine Rivals, this interconnects the stories PERFECTLY.
There is for you if you love
✨ Divine Rivals
✨ True yearning and longing
✨ Goddess x mortal
✨ Great Twists
✨ Lyrical and magical writing
✨ Political intrigue with the Gods and mortals both
✨ Emotional writing that will likely make you sob
“For anyone who has ever had to let go of someone they love.”
The story follows Matilda who is a young goddess who goes between realms delivering messages and letters. She meets a mortal boy, Vincent, through his dreams. Years later, she takes on a quest from Death to deliver a letter to mortal who is doomed to die. As the fates have it, this mortal is Vincent who she does not want to die, and instead chooses to help aid him. The rest I’ll let you read on your own.
Just know this is poetic, beautiful, and emotional. You are going to want to have some tissues ready. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while.
That epilogue? Perfection! If you have read Divine Rivals, this interconnects the stories PERFECTLY.
There is for you if you love
✨ Divine Rivals
✨ True yearning and longing
✨ Goddess x mortal
✨ Great Twists
✨ Lyrical and magical writing
✨ Political intrigue with the Gods and mortals both
✨ Emotional writing that will likely make you sob
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes