Dread Watch

by Jared Agard

A secret fear.

An antique pocket watch with a tragic past.

When 8th grader Caleb Meyer stumbles upon the old watch at an abandoned railroad museum, he's sure that if he has it, all his fears will vanish.

But the watch is more than just spindles and gears. A twisted ghost lives within, a Dreadmonger, feeding off the fears of his victims.

And Caleb, seeking to finally be rid of his secret, is walking right into the Dreadmonger's trap.

Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult

266 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[North of Normal Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book to start our homeschool year! My son is 9, and he likes supernatural books written from a boy's perspective. This had all of the things he loves: a prankster, a mystery, a little bit of true-life history, and of course all the thrills and chills of Stephen King but in a clean, middle grade book. We especially like the how-to-draw-a-monster video the author has on YouTube to go with the book. Can't wait for the next book by this author!

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Caleb, and I must get my hands on the pocket watch hidden in the train museum. Austin says he feels an evil presence lurking in there, but the watch will help with all of my problems. My mom wants me to go see my dad, but I'm afraid. The accident was my fault, and I don't want to deal with the feelings battling within me. Everything will be better if I can just get my hands on the watch. However, I think Lilly has the same feelings, and I've got to stop her from getting to it first. As it turns out, we fought over the watch and grabbed it at the same time. I'm not sure what happened, but we woke up in a dark place surrounded by black water. I think we're inside the watch! We must find a way out of here, but our fear may lead to our deaths.

I received an ARC from BookSirens. This book told a ghost story with some added twists. The watch was possessed by a spirit that gained strength from the fear of others. Dealing with those fears was at the heart of the story, and it took a six-year-old to teach the characters how to face them. Caleb experienced different feelings regarding his father, and Lilly had her own issues related to her parents. The setting changed when Caleb and Lilly touched the watch and entered the world within. The world was based on fear, and Caleb needed to understand how it all began. What made it "tick"? Everything changed when any of the characters became upset, and things got even worse when they started to feel despair. The author was able to create eeriness and suspense immediately in the prologue, and it was amazing how he maintained that intensity throughout. There weren't many opportunities to stop and catch your breath. The story was told from Caleb's point of view, so readers could experience the character's terror and anger and his battle to maintain hope. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much as it evoked many emotions. I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened its cover, but it didn't disappoint. I strongly recommend you give it a shot.

[Kiri Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When 8th grader Caleb Meyer becomes obsessed with the old pocket watch, he thinks it will help him overcome his fears. What he doesn't understand is that the exact opposite will happen. This book is an action packed middle grade supernatural thriller that has surprising heartstring tugging going on as well. After falling into the Dreadmonger's trap, Caleb has to figure out how to escape and save himself. But then he realizes that he's not the only one needing to be saved. The imagery is wonderful, the premise unique, and the story very well woven. Highly recommend!

[Kristy Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a middle school librarian and I'm always on the look out for books that my students will enjoy. After purchasing a copy of Dread Watch from the publisher's site and reading it, I know this suspenseful book will be a hit with my students. I have a feeling that I'll be ordering more than just one copy.
I like that this book includes history about the Great Train Wreck of 1865 in Ambler, PA. I'm from the other side of PA and have never heard about this event. It's a very sad but intriguing historical event.
Highly recommend!

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caleb is the new kid in town. One day at the train museum, he finds a watch and is immediately compelled by it. The watch soon leads him and a group of kids to learn as much about it as possible, which takes a good chunk of time until we get to the interesting bit: “objects involved in tragedies sometimes become a trap for the souls.” Ooh, nice!

But it mostly involves a lot of research and speculation among the smart and inquisitive kids.

A fairly amusing ghost mystery.

[Kelli McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the pace of this book, the relatable, authentic characters, and the edge-of-your-seat suspense. Jared Agard knows how to tell a good spooky tale.

[Cheryl Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dread Watch is a spine tingling, fast paced middle grade horror that kept me hooked from the very first page. Jared Agard perfectly blends mystery, suspense, and a touch of supernatural darkness in a story that’s as thrilling as it is emotional.

Caleb is such a relatable character his fears, his curiosity, and his desire to be brave all feel so genuine. The antique pocket watch and the eerie presence tied to it create an atmosphere that’s both haunting and unforgettable. The idea of the Dreadmonger feeding on fear is downright chilling and brilliantly executed.

This book delivers just the right mix of scares and heart. It’s creepy enough to make you glance over your shoulder but meaningful enough to leave you thinking about courage and what it really means to face your fears. A fantastic read for fans of spooky adventures!

[Elizabeth Raum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading this amazing fantasy, and I'm not usually a fantasy fan. The suspence continued throughout the book as the characters struggled to save their own lives and to help those killed in an 1859 train wreck find a way to move on. Highly recommend to older middle-grade kids who love suspense that's a bit scary.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love finding supernatural books written from a boy's perspective, particularly when they are a clean, middle grade book. This had all the thrills and chills I know kids like and had some true-life history included as well. Throw in a prankster and a mystery to solve and I can't wait to recommend this book to students!

[Sr.MaryJohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a horror book, it had a good message.