Wild Reverence

As a romantasy novel, Wild Reverence focuses on the romance between the principal characters, Matilda and Vincent. Because of their respective statuses as divine and mortal, the power dynamic of their relationship is skewed from the start. The novel uses their unique dynamic to explore the complex role of power in romantic relationships.

Matilda is a goddess, and her power shapes who she is. Even as a child growing up in the under realm, she is aware of the differences between herself and the mortals. When Matilda first sees Hem, Bade’s vassal, she thinks, “It was a startling reminder to me that humans were beholden to us when they were in our realm […] serving us through vows that were everlasting unless we desired to break them” (22-23). From a young age, Matilda understands the power imbalance between mortals and divines, the myriad ways that gods influence mortals, and the limited agency mortals have within the gods’ realms. However, Matilda’s awareness of this reality doesn’t initially extend into her view of the mortal realm and her relationship with Vincent. When Vincent asks Matilda why Warin would deserve a toll for the bridge, Matilda thinks, “His words prodded something in me. A deep, troubling feeling.