31 Reads of Terror: 'Scarewaves' by Trevor Henderson

What the hell has happened to box stores? It feels like they've abandoned the very heartbeat of childhood—books for middle-graders and authentic young adult novels, the kind that don’t feel like they’ve been filtered through a committee of adults wanting to relive their glory days. It’s disheartening to watch our neglected education system falter, while politicians stand idly by, too busy filling their pockets to care. Sometimes, I think about running for office myself, but who wants to sell their soul to the devil for a taste of power? I’d prefer to keep my soul intact, thank you very much.

Now, what does any of this lamenting have to do with today’s review of Scarewaves? Absolutely nothing. Except that I stumbled upon a hardcover at a local Walmart a year or two ago, back when the geniuses in charge still thought children's books were worth stocking. It may not be the case universally, but in my neck of the woods, the shelves are bare of anything remotely resembling a spirited read for kids.

Anyway, onto the meat of the matter: Scarewaves, penned by Trevor Henderson, a name familiar to fans of ghastly imaginings and chilling creepypastas. I have to admit; there’s a morbid delight in his work that keeps me coming back for more. I’ve heard there’s a second book in the series—I don’t own it yet, but let’s see if this initial dive captivates me enough to want a sequel.

The plot unfolds in the unsettling town of Beacon Point, where darkness is not just a time, but a harbinger of doom. This sleepy little town is plagued by bizarre occurrences—a place where people vanish without a trace, and strange creatures lurk just beyond the tree line. The adults? Oblivious or unwilling to confront the sinister undercurrents swirling around them. Yet, as the clock ticks through several spine-chilling nights, a brave group of kids will confront the lurking horrors that haunt their town. They’re guided by the enigmatic radio host Alan Graves, who prompts them to piece together a chilling secret before something far more sinister devours them whole.

And what’s that on the cover? Doesn't the monster look uncannily like the Crooked Man from The Conjuring 2? I suspect Trevor Henderson is responsible for the illustrations—how fitting for a book drenched in dread—though the book design gets credit from Christopher Stengel. I can’t shake the feeling that the cover, while delightfully creepy, borders on homage or perhaps even a rip-off. But hey, that’s just my opinion.

The narrative is a delightful chord, reminiscent of classic Goosebumps mixed with the nostalgic thrill of old Point Horror teen novels. Henderson has a knack for crafting kid-level horror that’s both engaging and laced with just the right amount of suspense. He introduces a cast of intriguing characters that I can easily picture haunting the minds of young readers, and for those seasoned in the horror genre, the descriptions deliver just enough meat to keep us captivated. And the atmosphere? It’s positively drenched in a sense of creeping dread.

In the end, Scarewaves taps into that primal fear of the unknown that lurks just outside your window, reminding us that sometimes, the darkness is where the real adventure begins. And who doesn’t love a good thrill? ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess