Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

Title: Wild Reverence

Genre: Mythic Fantasy

Series: Standalone, prequel to Letters of Enchantment duology

Synopsis: Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods often kill each other to steal power and alliances break as quickly as they are forged, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She soon discovers the cost of love and wrestles with the implications of her power.

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Content Warnings

General Rating: Teen+ (14A / PG-13)

Note: This is an adult novel, but the content warning level is deemed appropriate for older teenage readers

Spice Rating: Mild

There are a couple of intimate open-door scenes in ch. 68 and 84, but they are written non-explicitly and without graphic details. Ross writes in such a way that a naive reader could entirely miss the implications of these scenes. No references to anatomy, no crude language.

Violence Rating: Moderate

War violence, attempted murder, attempted suicide, death of a parent, death of a child, murder, and physical abuse are all present.

Profanity Rating: None

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Book Review

Overall rating: 5/5

What I Liked
Rebecca Ross swept me away with this one! I loved her writing style. It was enchanting, intimate, and yet somehow reserved at the same time. Matilda is a fascinating protagonist. She is a born goddess who learns what it means to come into her power and also how to interact with the various realms, including mortals. Her primary arc revolved around discovering what it means to be known and loved, an appropriate message for everyone.

Vincent doesn’t have a personality beyond loving Matilda. And I was okay with that, because Matilda is enchanting. Her and Vincent’s relationship was sweet. It held just the right amount of tension as they explored their old-new relationship and love for one another. Their love was tastefully written, never crude or crass, but intimate while remaining respectful of sensitive readers.

I also loved Matilda’s relationship with Bade. He is a father to her by more than blood, and it was beautiful to see their relationship become clearer over time.

“You hold onto her. But who could hold onto the wind? And—better yet—who woud be so foolish as to trust—to love—such a wild being?”

Themes and Reflections

• Being Known and Loved: Matilda learns at a young age that the gods, powerful though they are, are also vulnerable. She hesitates to let herself be loved, choosing rather to run where the winds blow her. She learns what it means to be seen, known, and loved exactly as she is by Vincent, Bade, and others.

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

• Vulnerability: Matilda learns that love requires vulnerability. She is, at first, hesitant and pulls back frequently. Vincent, to his credit, is unendingly patient with her, accepting her fluid, wild nature fully. Her journey through allowing herself to be vulnerable in Vincent’s presence pulled on my heartstrings. She learns what it means to sacrifice herself for the love she has for Vincent and his people.

  What could I have done to keep a goddess safe? I realized that it could not be achieved by embracing her. Only by letting her go.

• Choosing a Simple Life over Power: There is more to life than power, Matilda discovers. Vincent, too, longs for a simple life where he is not required to rule a fiefdom. There is something simply beautiful about the things of nature, home, and loved ones. They choose a humble life over the glitter and might of a kingdom.

  “Asking questions about mortals is a weakness?” “Feeling for them is,” he corrected.

Writing Style

Ross’ worldbuilding is amazing. It just gets better and better. It’s flawless in its execution, gradually building the world without ever feeling dumped on. Her writing style is stunning. Lyrical, ethereal, and mystical. Sometimes a bit formal, but always intimate and romantic. It is descriptive and lush without ever feeling bogged down. I want to re-read it simply to savour the beauty of Ross’ sentences.

Tropes

• “Who did this to you?”

• Star-crossed lovers

• Gods and mortals

Books Like This

• Circe by Madeline Miller

• His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers

• The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! Wild Reverence is being published Sept 2, 2025, and will be available wherever you buy your books.

For an in-depth reflection on deeper themes in Wild Reverence, click here.

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