What in the name of — What book did I read? This poor book had me so confused. First off, why couldn’t you keep the characters with their original names. Tyler all the way through the book would have been great! No confusion for the reader. The same for Lana. But when the writer add in the number of other characters with unique names, you kind of take my interest away in connecting with the story. It was hard to determine if the groups were in the civilian world or in the game world, the book did not give a reference to.

Thanks to Netgalley and the original publisher for eARC.

'The Bone Fields", the fourth book in The Pantheon Saga, delivers a thrilling conclusion to a fast-paced, action-packed Scottish thriller series. Imagine Squid Game colliding with The Hunger Games in the streets of Edinburgh, where modern-day gladiators battle to the death, cheered on and funded by online watchers.

Bloodshed and Order

From its inception, The Pantheon has been a secret society steeped in bloodshed and order. Recruits abandon their lives, fall into rank, and engage in deadly combat. But for Tyler Maitland, a player in this brutal game, the stakes are personal. His real ambition isn't victory in the Games; it's finding his missing sister. Even if it means bringing down The Pantheon itself.

As the Twentieth Season unfolds, never-before-matched teams clash in the fields of eastern Europe. Each palatinate—whether Odin's Vikings, Attila's Huns, or Rome's legions—represents a historical era. Supreme leaders, self-styled modern gods, rule over these territories. And Tyler, once directionless, now stands at the heart of this epic conflict.

I actually didn’t realise this was part of a series until I looked it up before requesting and immediately started reading the rest first (lucky for kindle unlimited hey!!) and I’m glad I did. Nonetheless this book was still a standout thriller with a brilliant story, it has fabulous characters, a clever plot and lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. Definitely recommend the series as a whole!

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus for the ARC copy

This was a good, fast paced read!
I think had I read these in order like the series should be read, then I would have really enjoyed it much more. I will be going back and reading the others to get the full grasp of this series, as it seems like it truly is gripping and wonderful.

A satisfying conclusion to a unique trilogy. I originally picked up this trilogy because of the interesting premise as I love books and media that put people in varying games (e.g. Hunger Games) and this one offered up something new and fresh. I loved the mix of modern day but with medieval/historical warfare concepts. I liked the setting and the characters which you grew to care about over the books.

Please note, The Bone Fields is the fourth book in The Pantheon series. With that in mind, it is highly likely the book-related waffling that follows will contain some minor spoilers. Dont say I didn’t warn you!

THE GAME

From the beginning, The Pantheon has been a secret society of bloodshed and order. Modern-day gladiators abandon their lives, fall into rank and battle to the death – cheered on and funded by online watchers.

THE PLAYER

Tyler Maitland was recruited to fight in the Games, but his real ambition is finding his missing sister-even if it means bringing down The Pantheon for good.

THE END

The start of the Twentieth Season delivers never-before-matched teams to the fields of eastern Europe, where a hidden force will blow the truth of the Games wide open, once and for all…

THE FINAL SEASON STARTS NOW.

It seems like only yesterday we were first introduced to Tyler Maitland. Directionless and downbeat, his life was a matter of just existing on a day-to-day basis. Then he discovered the world of The Pantheon, a secret game backed by the world’s great and good. A world-spanning league of the most ferocious warriors pitted against one another for sport, each team designed to be a historically accurate representation of their forebears. Odin’s Vikings* rub shoulders with the armies of Greek Titans. Attila’s Huns battle The Sultanate while the Mongol Kheshig faces off against China’s Warring States. Above them all the seemingly untouchable legions of Rome. Each of these palatinates (territories) is ruled by a supreme leader, a self-styled modern god.

Suddenly Tyler was part of something far bigger than himself. Something where he had a purpose and perhaps even something worth fighting for. Over the course of his journey, Tyler’s rise has been quite meteoric. He’s come from the lowest of the low to achieve the greatest heights of the Pantheon. Tyler has evolved into a leader, a warrior in his own right. I found myself cheering him on every step of the way. Was I a little jealous? Perhaps. Would I die almost immediately after picking up a sword? Absolutely. I’d probably stab myself.

The Bone Fields pick up straight after the events in book three, The Hastening Storm. Forces continue to conspire against Tyler and there is a definite sense events are hurtling towards a bloody conclusion. The Horde has been vanquished so the big question becomes who will the victorious Titans face next?

I think the thing that fascinates me most about the concept of the Pantheon is the way it plays into our most primal self. Get a crowd together and eventually, they’ll start baying for blood. The Pantheon will always appeal to the masses. It’s the ultimate escapism from modern life. It all boils down to kill or be killed, and that idea of glory through violent conflict. The members of the various teams aren’t immune to this most basic instinct either. There are moments on the battlefield where characters achieve an almost zen-like state of existence, living only for the next second. It’s hardly surprising that Tyler has become more and more invested in it all.

If I had any criticism about this book it would be a minor one. This grand finale feels just a little rushed to me. I suppose thinking about it, I might just be being greedy. I can’t help it, I wanted more. It saddens me that we’ve hit the end of the proverbial road. I could quite happily read another four books about the Pantheon armies and the mythology that surrounds them. I have so many questions and it feels like there is still much left to learn. Right from the beginning of book one I have been struck by the consideration and depth of world-building in these novels. They really do help to create a perfect backdrop to events. Perhaps one day my questions will be answered, that would be all kinds of awesome.

When all things are said and done, I’ve had a blast with The Pantheon series**. C’mon, what’s not to love? One moment we’ve found ourselves knee-deep in blood-soaked battlefields howling like crazed berserkers and the next we’re eavesdropping on global conspiracies driven by unscrupulous billionaires and oligarchs. I loved every second. The four books have been hugely entertaining. I love stories that suggest secret societies that exist on the cusp of our own. For me, great action thrillers live or die by their hook. There has to be something that will draw a reader in. The premise of the Pantheon series is exactly the sort of adrenalin-fuelled fiction I live for. I couldn’t help but find myself in its thrall.

The Bone Fields is published by Head of Zeus and is available now. Highly recommended but ensure that you read the first three novels in the series before you dive straight in. The journey is well worth it.

My recommendation to accompany this novel is the soundtrack to the 2017 game For Honor by Saunder Jurriaans and Danny Bensi. It has just the right vibe that perfectly captures the tone of the novel. With track names like Jarl, The Great Raid Begins and I Am War it really could not be a better fit. Trust me, listen to the album while reading the book and you’ll discover a whole new layer of enjoyment.

*I’ve tried not the play favourite when it comes to the various Pantheon forces but I can’t deny it any longer. I am now, and will always be, for the Horde!

**To be brutally honest, for almost the entirety of July, my book-reviewing mojo has been all but gone. I was seriously considering knocking it on the head. Shutting up shop of The Eloquent Page and moving on to pastures new. This book brought me back. I want to talk to everyone who will listen about it. Thanks C F Barrington, you’ve reinvigorated this tired old soul’s love of reading.

Excellent book, the fourth in this gripping and action packed series. Well written and fast paced.
It's better to read the series in order.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I'm sure that those who have read the earlier books will be thrilled with this one. I had not read the earlier books and was too at sea with the characters and scenario to appreciate it. I DNF. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to fans.

After dashing my way through the third installment of C.F. Barrington’s Pantheon series, a set of dystopian war thrillers set in and around Edinburgh, I was thrilled to be given an ARC of the final episode of his dystopian war thriller, The Bone Fields, by NetGalley. All my favorite heroes and villains return, some in very surprising situations, which only added to my enjoyment. There were so many storylines at play in this entire series that the outcome of this volume was far from conclusive: many secondary characters rose to prominence, and several prominent characters lost their way to greed, anger or evil, brought low as their Palatinates battled for survival.

In this installment, the battles rage hotter, betrayals cut deeper, and secrets loom larger than in any other, and I found myself holding my breath over and over again, as unforeseen circumstances pushed Tyler, Lana, Oliver and their comrades farther and farther into untenable situations. All the battles will point toward a final standoff, and although several storylines play out exactly as I hoped they might, you’ll never see the final resolutions coming. The Bone Fields is a can’t-put-down push to the finish - block out an entire day (or night!) to enjoy this as it was meant!

The 4th and final chapter of this action packed series closes and how.

A series that I’ve hungrily read over the last couple of months. You can call it a mash up of many recent things. GOT, Hunger Games and the like but for me The Pantheon Series is its own breathless beast.

Discover it, read it, devour it all. It’s cracking, high octane fast paced, thrilling, brutal and more.

Awesome

This Scottish thriller was the last of a 4 book series and it was absolutely gripping and I couldn't put it down.
I just reviewed The Bone Fields by C.F. Barrington. #TheBoneFields #NetGalley
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A fantastic book, I don’t normally read these types of books writing wise but this was different and I really enjoyed this, looking forward to reading more in the future