You’ve probably seen the cover. It’s everywhere. Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross dropped in late 2025, and ever since, the "BookTok" world hasn’t quite stopped vibrating. But here is the thing: a lot of people are walking into this book expecting Divine Rivals 2.0. They want more enchanted typewriters and wartime journalism.
Honestly? That’s not what this is.
This book is a massive, sprawling adult romantasy that hits a completely different note. It’s set 600 years before Iris and Roman ever met. It’s a world where the gods aren't just myths or distant echoes in a radio broadcast; they are literal, breathing, terrifyingly petty people who walk the earth and the "Underling" realm.
The Story Most People Miss
Basically, we follow Matilda. She’s a goddess, but not the kind who sits on a throne throwing lightning bolts. She’s the youngest of her clan and possesses what the book calls "humble messenger magic." She carries letters. It sounds sweet, right? Like a divine postal worker.
It’s not.
In this era of Cambria, gods are constantly trying to murder each other to steal power. Matilda is a "Herald," the only one who can move between the Underling, the Skyward realm, and the mortal world. Because she’s the product of two different divine courts, she’s a walking target.
Then there’s Vincent.
He’s a mortal boy who dreams of her. For ten years, they share this dream-space connection. It’s that classic Rebecca Ross yearning—the kind that makes your chest ache. But when Vincent actually needs her help during the darkest moment of his life, she can't reach him.
👉 See also: Gu Family Book: Why This 2013 K-Drama Still Hits Different Today
By the time they finally meet in the "waking world," Vincent isn't a sweet boy anymore. He’s the "Lord of the River," a hardened, cynical man who has basically forced himself to forget the "dream girl" who failed him. When Matilda literally tumbles through his window with a message, the shift in dynamic is jarring. It's not a cozy reunion. It's tense.
Why the "Prequel" Label is Kinda Tricky
Is it a prequel? Yes. Do you need to read the Letters of Enchantment duology first? Absolutely not.
In fact, some fans argue that reading Wild Reverence first actually makes the events of Divine Rivals feel even heavier. You get to see the origin of the "blood-soaked ways" of the gods. You see Dacre and Enva—names that loom large in the later books—in a much more raw, immediate context.
Ross isn't just writing a romance here. She's building a mythos. The book is thick—around 544 pages—and the first third is a slow burn that tracks Matilda’s childhood and her training with Bade, the God of War. If you’re looking for a 200-page "quick read," this isn't it.
What the Critics are Saying
The reception has been... interesting. Some readers find the pacing in the middle a bit sluggish. There’s a plot point where Matilda and Vincent pretend to be married to trick Vincent's traitorous uncle, Grimald, and it honestly feels like it ends way too fast.
But the prose? It’s classic Ross. It smells like "black tea and old ink," even if there aren't any typewriters in sight.
The Characters You’ll Actually Care About
- Matilda: She’s not a "strong female lead" in the way we usually see in fantasy—she’s quiet, observant, and deeply vulnerable. Her power isn't in destruction; it's in the way she understands connections.
- Vincent of Beckett: He’s the "Lord of Wyndrift." He’s got that "grumpy but actually traumatized" energy that everyone loves. His struggle with his family's legacy and the siege of his fortress adds a gritty, medieval stake to the magical plot.
- Bade: The God of War who acts as Matilda’s protector. His relationship with the mortal Poet Queen, Adria, is arguably just as interesting as the main romance.
What Really Happens at the End? (No Spoilers)
Without giving away the ending, the book tackles a big question: can a god truly love a mortal without destroying them?
It’s about sacrifice. Matilda has to decide if she’s willing to give up her divinity—or at least the safety of her immortality—to fix the mess the older gods have made. It’s a story about "rewriting" fate, which is a theme Ross fans will recognize instantly.
Tips for Reading Wild Reverence
If you’re planning to dive in, here is how to get the most out of it.
First, don't rush the beginning. The world-building with the "Underling" and "Skyward" courts is dense. You might want to keep a bookmark on the character list because there are a lot of deities to keep track of—Alva (Dreams), Phelyra (Revelry), and Thile (Dusk), just to name a few.
Second, pay attention to the letters. Even though this isn't an epistolary novel like Divine Rivals, the messages Matilda carries are the backbone of the plot. They reveal the secrets that the gods are literally willing to kill for.
Lastly, look for the "Exclusive Editions." If you can snag the FairyLoot or OwlCrate versions, do it. They have custom character art of Matilda and Vincent that actually helps visualize the "messenger magic" and the bridge-fortress of Wyndrift.
Actionable Insights for Readers:
- Read it as a Standalone: Treat this as a high-fantasy myth rather than a sequel. It stands on its own two feet.
- Check the Content Warnings: This is an "Adult" fantasy, not YA. It deals with much darker themes than Divine Rivals, including physical abuse and the brutal nature of the divine war.
- Track the Lore: If you've read the Letters of Enchantment duology, keep a notes app open. The ways the gods interact here explain exactly why the world is so broken by the time Iris and Roman come along.
- Savor the Slow Burn: The romance doesn't "hit" until well into the second half. Let the atmosphere build first.
The real magic of Wild Reverence isn't in the spells; it's in the vulnerability of a goddess trying to find her place in a world that only values power. Whether you’re a die-hard Rebecca Ross fan or a newcomer, it’s a journey worth taking.