I lovedFourth Wingwhen I first read it and I still love it now, but one distracting detail of Rebecca Yarros' book still takes me out of the story on every reread. Even thoughOnyx Stormcame out back in January 2025,The Empyrean Seriescontinues to be highly discussed in book spaces, with many aFourth Wingtheorypopping up on BookTok that dissects the smallest nuances of the story before book 4 arrives. Naturally, that means many readers, myself included, are going back to the beginning to help get more insight on what Yarros may have planned.
As a result, audiences are rediscovering some of both the great and not-so-great parts ofFourth Wingalongside comparing it to the series' later installments. While I do love the series, I cannot deny that some of these long-runningFourth Wingcriticismsare valid, especially when compared to how other romantasy books use those same elements. One specific criticism, though, not only stands out every time I read the story, but also has caused a lot of discourse within larger book spaces:the use of modern language and slang.
Fourth Wing Is Great, But The Modern Language Always Takes Me Out Of The Story
The Parallel Between Fourth Wing’s Quasi-Medieval Setting & The Modern Language Is Jarring
The story and characterization inFourth Wingare still great, but I will admit that the modern language takes me out of the story every time.Much like other romantasy books,Fourth Wingtakes place in a quasi-medieval setting, Yarros' worldbuilding transporting readers to a world with a focus on sword-based combat, magic, and a severe lack of modern technology. So, when Violet and her friends use modern words that I see and hear in reality, it shocks me a bit out of the story and, to me, parallels the worldbuilding in a discordant way.
The discussion surroundingFourth Wing’s use of modern language has persisted since its debut,Redditallowing readers to share their opinions on Yarros' word choices with ease. Some find the modern language comforting and accessible, especially as first-time fantasy readers,while others find the use of certain phrases to be cringy, taking them out of the overall storyfor a moment. Both arguments, again, are valid, especially as this trend has become more common in the romantasy sphere and highlights the benefits and detriments modern language and specific slang can bring to a fantasy narrative.
Modern Language & Slang Is Becoming More Common In Fantasy & Romantasy Books
It Can Both Make Characters More Relatable And Clash With The Setting
The use of modern language has become more common sinceFourth Wingcame out, bringing both various benefits and drawbacks to each romantasy book it features in. Though the genre is on the rise in book spaces, manynew romantasy booksseem to take into account that not everyone is an avid fantasy reader, sousing modern language in these romantasy stories helps draw in newer audiences and make the story easier to read.Its use can also help make characters more relatable, giving them a swift connection to the audience and making each detail easier to pick up on.
That being said, much like it does inFourth Wing, this method of connecting with audiences can also turn them away through overuse. As mentioned, most romantasy books are set in completely different worlds,so using too much modern slang in a world that should not have the cultural context for it, using it just for the sake of using it, can be jarring. In the case of Yarros' book, focusing less on working these phrases in and more on telling a strong, character-driven story is whereFourth Wingshines.
Fourth Wing Is Better When It Isn’t Overusing Jarring Phrases
Fourth Wings' Dialogue & Characterization Is Great Even With The Slang
Fourth Wing’s characters are relatable and compelling throughout the story, even when they are not using these modern phrases. One of the things I loved about Yarros' work is thatshe knew how to make complex characters that are easy to connect with and relate todespite their specific problems. As a first-time romantasy writer, Yarros was able to craft a strong story, making every moment beforeFourth Wing’s endingtense and powerful, even if there were a few bumps on the road to get there.
That strong characterization and understanding are what truly makesFourth Wingsuch a great book, even as those arcs become even more complicated within the series.
Still, the modern language is definitely overdone in the first book inThe Empyrean Series,sometimes making the characters seem like they do not fit into their own world. However, those moments are few and far between, as each character expresses the fullness of their arc in ways that are both understandable and gripping as the story goes on. That strong characterization and understanding are what truly makeFourth Wingsuch a great book, even as those arcs become even more complicated within the series.
