This week we are discussing Drag Me Up by R.M. Virtues, Ch. 11-22.
Content Warning!!! This book contains situations and subjects related to: sex and harassment.
Spoiler Warning!!! This post is full of spoilers for Drag Me Up by R.M. Virtues.
Discussion:
Michaela: Hello friends and welcome to our second discussion of Drag Me Up by R.M. Virtues. Things definitely start to ramp up in this section. I am enjoying this book so much, the characters really just suck me in as well as their relationships. This section starts out with Hades making dinner for Persephone, which I just found to be the cutest thing. Then Hecate and Thanatos show up to support him before their event, and it’s just lovely.
Jacilyn: I love a good cast of supporting characters. Thanatos and Hecate’s relationship with Hades feels so true and pure, almost like they were destined for each other from creation. In another set of series I’m reading, there’s a concept called Nebula Allies, which occurs when certain star celestial conditions are just right at someone’s birth. Nebula Allies are the deepest kind of friends you could have, “someone who makes their energy soar and always seeks the best for them in life.” That feels like Thanatos, Hecate, Hades, and probably Charon to a T. Then there’s the sexual aspect of their relationships with each other, which isn’t entirely clear and doesn’t really have a good descriptor to describe the dynamic (at least that we can come up with), but just *is* and feels very fluid and natural to their friendship. I’m just really enjoying the way Virtues has crafted these connections.
Michaela: I love Thanatos, Hecate, and Hades’ fluidity to their relationships with one another. I feel like that is hardly ever shown respectfully in books or other media. It's so comforting to me to see them all there for each other in whatever way they are needed. Also, this book has yet to follow the miscommunication or jealousy trope between characters (not counting Zeus, obviously). Normally I would fully expect Hecate and Persephone to have a jealousy subplot, and also for Persephone and Hades to have a miscommunication subplot most likely related to her telling him about Zeus, but so far there isn’t and it doesn’t seem like those things will happen either. It’s over used in romance books in my opinion, so not seeing those things is so refreshing.
Persephone told Hades about Zeus during their date at Hades’ place, and it was so simple and an open honest conversation. Any boundaries were set right then and there, and I just loved it. I also loved Persephone saying, “Don’t tell me I’m brave. I’m brave because the world is cruel.”. So true, and beautifully put. You really get the sense that Persephone and Hades fit together really well, they respect each other full stop and they work together really well already.
Jacilyn: I agree, it is really refreshing to read a romance that doesn’t include those tropes. That quote from Persephone was great. I also enjoyed “Hades accepting her doesn’t make him a hero, not in the slightest. She would not reward him or anyone else for being a decent human being, but that doesn’t minimize her relief.” This book really beautifully portrays both healthy and unhealthy relationships in a way that is clear on the lines between the two and doesn’t glorify the bare minimum from love interests like I’ve read or watched many a time.
Speaking of unhealthy relationships, Demeter is a full on bitch. I have my suspicions that she may have had something to do with the fire at Asphodel. She’s one of those mothers that only sees her children as a reflection of themselves and a way to make themselves feel better. It’s disgusting and abusive, but I love how Persephone doesn’t take any shit from anyone anymore - and that includes her mother.
Michaela: I also enjoyed the “doesn’t make him a hero” line. Love to see it, and so true, I’m so glad he wasn’t glorified for being decent while also being glad that he is decent. I also appreciate that Persephone did not want Hades to rescue her but also respected that he has his own issues with Zeus and this is just another one on top of his pile. Respect and communication! Crazy how those two simple things create trust and love. So even though Hades and Zeus got in a tiny fight, Persephone was not angered by that because she understands Hades' relationship and history with Zeus. Again this would have been a perfect opportunity for that miscommunication trope, I was ready for it and I was ready to be bothered by it but alas respect and communication wins again.
Demeter, however, apparently physically incapable of having an adult respectful conversation with her own daughter. I hate Demeter so much right now, I hope there might be some character development in this last section of the book but I have many doubts. She really gives off that “after all I’ve done for you” parent energy and…just no. Children. Don’t. Owe. You. Anything. You chose to have that child, that child is your responsibility now, they owe you nothing because they did not choose to be here. I can totally see her being part of the fire incident, not directly but definitely an assist. I was so proud of Persephone for standing her ground with Demeter. Also, she stood her ground with Adonis as well, who definitely feels like the “I’m entitled to my girlfriend” kind of guy. Did Adonis, Persephone, and Aphrodite have a poly relationship before? Or was that just me imagining things from their conversation. It felt implied but it also could have just been referring to their friendship.
Jacilyn: I think they did have some sort of poly relationship. It sounded like Aphrodite left first, and then Persephone. Knowing that makes me love Persephone and Aphrodite’s friendship even more. One of the other books in this series is about Aphrodite and I definitely want to read that one to learn more about her. Even though Adonis is a piece of shit, I appreciate the representation of non-monogamous relationships in this story, because they are just as valid and should be considered as such.
The communication is great throughout. I was ready for Hades to throw a fit and refuse to see Persephone after thinking she left willingly, but nope they had a calm conversation and it all got figured out and boom, everything was okay. I am an unapologetic enjoyer of smut, so the threesome between Hades, Persephone, and Hecate was appreciated for its existence alone, but the symbiotic, respectful, wholly unselfishness of it was something to behold. I’m sure it would make some folks blush, maybe even some uncomfortable depending on how they sit with explicit sex in books, but even so it felt somehow wholesome all the same. It was exactly what they all needed, most of all Hades, and the women knew it.
Michaela: I love the representation in this book all around. Hades literally thought ‘she left me, which sucks, but I'm going to bring her a coffee and clear the air just so I know what’s happening then I will leave her alone’. I know the bar is like on the floor for men, especially in romance novels, but damn does it feel nice to read a character like this. Zeus is below the floor at this point, he straight up sucks. Also, does he really care that the fire was his fault? Debatable.
The threesome was written beautifully. I feel like some smutty writing can feel forced just to have that spice in there. But this scene was so organic, Persephone just wanted to take Hades' mind off of what was going on and she knew he and Hecate have a loving history. It was just such a good scene emotionally for their relationship, but also the spice was written really well also. I enjoy spicy reads but I often get thrown off depending on the writing style which lessens my enjoyment of the book, but Virtues’ style is right up my street.
I’m so excited to keep reading this book but also sad it’s going to end. I’ve enjoyed it so much. I hope you all are enjoying it as much as us. Until next time friends!
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