This was scary and exciting and the same time and this beautiful blend is certainly a testament to the authors skill full writing.

Wow!!!

This book started out with the '13 Reasons Why' vibes and I was super intrigued to find out what type of secrets the dads kept from their sons. Going on this signature trip to the Appalachian Mountains started out on the wrong foot and just got worse.

Finally getting to hear a bit of what the secrets were AFTER the guys finally started to bear witness to what happening in the mountains and the secrets that were kept. Not only did the dads have their secrets, but the sons had their own burdens and secrets to deal with as well.

I'm disappointed that we only got to read 2 out of the 5 tapes. I was hopeful to at least hear most of the tapes. I also wish we got more of the origin story of the secret not just how the dads ended up with it.

DNF at 50%.

I was so intrigued by the mystery behind the fathers and their tapes and their camping trips, but it just went completely off the rails in a direction I was not expecting, and could not get into it AT ALL. I also could not tell one man from another, their voices were all too similar. Sorry.

This is my second book by this author and ultimately, something just doesn't click for me. The book is technically sound, with wonderful prose and what should be compelling story-lines. I just can't connect. Not the author's fault at all!

A little too much for me. Wicked House has some great books tho! I also just am not a big fan of paranormal angles and that’s on me

This was a good book, weird thing was that it gave me a deja vu of another book by Wicked House Publishing, The Broken Places by Blaine Daigle. I enjoyed both of these books even though they felt kinda similar.
So Harry's dad and his four friends all die due to different forms of suicide, and there are letters left. As their last wish, they ask their sons to go on the annual camping trip. There is a box of cassette tapes that also need to go on this trip and need to be shared. No one knows much about why their dads went on this traditional trip, and they have no clue what is on these tapes.
After they listen to the first tape, they learn about the burden their fathers have been carrying for 30 years and that they have now knowingly passed to their boys. What a thing to learn and a way to find out.
During this story (aka Adventure) the guys learn a lot not only about this nightmare burden but also about their friends, their fathers and themselves. There is so much character development in this horror book. It made it so awesome.
Great story, well written. Can't wait to see what else this author writes next because I bet it will be good, also.
So glad to have read this book.

I own this and intend to read it in the future I'm just clearing this off my board to reduce stress. I will update when I read/review.

Great book! It had all the fears of growing up. Make a choice. Turn the page or close the book. Enter the darkness if you wish!

**A Chilling and Profound Horror Masterpiece**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

William F. Gray’s *Our Fathers' Burden* is an extraordinary blend of terror, psychological depth, and hauntingly beautiful prose. This horror novel doesn’t just aim to scare—it delves deep into generational trauma, moral dilemmas, and the dark legacies we inherit, making it as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.

Gray’s storytelling is masterful, crafting an atmosphere so oppressive and foreboding that you’ll feel your pulse quicken with every page. The setting, described with eerie precision, becomes a character in itself, amplifying the dread that permeates the story.

The characters are raw and authentic, each carrying their own burdens that make them relatable and deeply human. As the protagonist confronts both external horrors and the demons within, Gray weaves a narrative that resonates on an emotional level, adding layers of complexity to the supernatural elements.

The pacing is pitch-perfect, with moments of quiet tension that explode into heart-stopping scenes of terror. The twists and revelations are as shocking as they are satisfying, keeping you guessing until the very end.

*Our Fathers' Burden* is more than just a horror novel—it’s a profound exploration of how the past shapes us, for better or worse. William F. Gray has created a chilling, unforgettable tale that will leave you questioning the true nature of fear. An absolute must-read for horror fans and anyone who loves a story that lingers long after the lights go out.

Without giving away spoilers, a fabulous horror novel that leaves a lingering sense of unease, perfect for fans of psychological horror that doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths.
Overall, Our Father's Burden is a powerful and haunting exploration of the darkness that can reside within families. Dark, atmospheric horror that blends the supernatural with deeply emotional and psychological themes.

I thought this book was a great read for me as a horror lover. Fast paced and easy to follow the storyline.
English is my second language and I did not find this hard for me to read.

I enjoyed the premise and thought it was super creative. I just wish there had been more detail into the past of the “burden” and just detail surrounding it in general. Definitely worth the read.

The characters are a huge strong point to this story. Each character is relatable in their own way, and everyone is distinct and developed. I wasn't in love with the suspenseful moments, but I was invested in the story even though I wasn't "scared" by the book. The pacing is good, but the suspense simply wasn't to my personal taste. Overall a good read that keeps you interested where you can connect with the characters.

This book is so many of my favorite things combined into one- an isolated woods/camping setting in cold weather, a creature feature and a bit of a mystery sprinkled on top. So this felt like the perfect fit for me. The pacing was great, there wasn't any time to get bored and things ramp up quickly. I absolutely loved the creature and action sequences- I ended up literally on the edge of my seat a few times!

I did have trouble with the large cast- it took me a very long time to sort out which father belonged to which son and that really frustrated me. Also, I'm not sure if I missed something, but this "secret" that the fathers carried- I'm not sure why that would lead to their particular deaths...without writing any spoilers, I just think that was a bit far fetched. Also I'm not quite sure why they didn't plan better and take care of the problem say over the summer? It just really seemed like a gaping plot hole to me.

That being said, I had a lot of fun with this read. Once I got the characters sorted, I really liked them and how much back story we got for each. This book tackles a lot of very real, very heavy topics as well as being a horror story. The ending was pleasantly surprising- it's not often in this genre that you get a tidy wrap up- good or bad.

I love me some wilderness horror. A group of childhood friends thrown back together because of a burden passed on from their fathers. And what a burden! Not only is this a great horror story, it also does a fantastic job showing the characters dealing with trauma, guilt and grief. This book is on the shorter side but it cuts right to the action and never looks back.

Could not put this book down!!! This is definitely a must read. The characters and world were perfectly written. Keep an eye on this author.

This book pulled me in right from the beginning. Well written characters, a fast paced storyline that I couldn't stop reading, an excellent ending and a monster in the woods. What more could I possibly ask for? It's books like this that remind me why I enjoy horror stories so much! This was my first William F. Gray book but it definitely won't be my last!
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC. I had a lot of fun with this one!

Unfortunately I didn't understand from simply reading the premise that this book was going to go down the "creature feature" horror path. I am not a fan of creature feature type books so this review is not one to guide those who do enjoy this horror sub genre. Overall I really enjoyed the beginning, and I didn't want to stop reading (hoping against hope this would lead another direction) so the fact that I finished this book speaks highly of how good of a creature feature horror novel this was so I would highly recommend for those who enjoy. For those who don't, just FYI, don't trust the brief description. Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and author for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

An excellent story of grief, horror, and closure.

The character development is top-notch. The world in which the characters are placed, is vivid and unforgiving.

I really enjoyed all parts of this story.

#NetGalley #OurFathersBurden

The topics of mental health and addiction were very interesting and well done and I thought the plot was great. I loved the idea of “passing the torch.” This is a good read for fans of wilderness horror, I read it in a sitting and had a pretty good time!