Until the Last Light Goes Out

by Courtney Gould

Flickering neon lights and hot Miami nights turn deadly in this gothic horror about a daughter investigating her best friend’s disappearance at an abandoned island resort.

You may not escape, but the truth will.

Twenty-five years ago, the Ripley Memorial High School senior class entered the luxurious Kaleidoscope Key resort deep in the remote Florida Keys. Despite international intrigue and years of investigation, no one truly knows how the 183 students died. And they never will, since the five survivors of the massacre have never spoken a word about what happened to them that night.

Paige Keller, daughter of one of the Kaleidoscope Key Massacre’s infamous survivors, has grown up determined to steer her life away from the resort and the unsolved mysteries her ex-best friend, KJ, can’t leave alone. Paige has moved to a fancy new college and it seems that, finally, she’s banished the shadows of Kaleidoscope Key completely. But when she’s called home on the 25th anniversary of the massacre, she finds that KJ has gone missing.

Paige knows there’s only one place KJ could be: her obsession, the now-abandoned resort. When Paige and the remaining Survivors’ Kids go in after her, they’re forced to confront their―and their parents―pasts once and for all.

Kaleidoscope Key is waiting, and it's starving. Once they find their way inside, there may not be a way out. And one way or another, the truth of the massacre will come to light.

Captivating and chilling, Courtney Gould’s Until The Last Light Goes Out is a horror story, a love story, and an ode to the pain passed between generations that you won’t soon forget.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Thriller, LGBT, Horror Thriller, Gothic, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 13, 2026

About the author

Courtney Gould is the author of The Dead and the Dark, Where Echoes Die, What the Woods Took, and the forthcoming Until the Last Light Goes Out. She writes books about queer girls, ghosts, and things that go bump in the night. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Creative Writing and Publishing and now lives in Salem, OR where she continues to write love letters to small towns and haunted places.

Reviews

[Kristi V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This was a very speedy read for me! I couldn’t put it down. Really enjoyed the title matching everything and the vibes were just like Blue Prince video game but make it scary. I could 100% see this as a movie one day and I’d be there opening night. As always though, with most horror, no one likes a resolution so I find myself wishing for the why and the how. When they found news articles I really thought we might get the origin stories. But it’s just an entity that exists as the story continues. But if you like an atmospheric horror ride - because who doesn’t love an abandoned resort on an island - this is definitely for you!

[Megan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading this made me think too much about my mom dying and I cried about it but also about these lesbians. I love them your honor

[willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS SPOOKED ME BAD! And I say this because I’m someone who doesn’t read a lot of horror (scaredy-cat), but also because this truly was nightmarish…

So Paige is the daughter of one of five survivors of a horrific massacre on a remote island resort. For her whole life she has tried to distance herself from the horrors that have defined her life. But years after her own mother returns to the resort and dies, her best friend also goes missing in the resort. She and two other survivors’ kids venture in to the resort for answers.

Listen… THIS PLACE IS SCARY!! It’s a shapeshifting, time-bending, possessing, murderous labyrinth with no exit. Quoting Meg Slater… GET ME OUTTA HERE!! I was scared to bits. In a good way of course. This kinda felt like how Jumanji made me feel as (an overly sensitive) kid. But it’s like Jumanji on horror steroids… with lots of blood…

Anyway, this was scary and heart-pounding and also touching. There is so much in here about relationships and generational trauma and putting your life on the line for the ones you love.

I actually went in thinking this was going to be more murder-mystery thriller because a YA thriller was what I’ve been craving. This is most definitely supernatural horror/thriller! I’m not disappointed at all because that’s on me (I didn’t read the description closely enough), but I’m very used to realistic fiction thriller where everything is tied up and explained. We get lots of answers in this, but the nature of it being supernatural means some of the questions are answered with “just because.” I ended up enjoying it immensely because the pieces eventually clicked into place (which I was worried wasn’t going to happen about halfway through!), but it was something new for me.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for an arc :)

[Kelly Kindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I picked up this book, I didn't want to put it down and I thought about it when I wasn't reading it.
The protagonist, Paige, is the daughter of one of the only a few survivors of a mass death(?) (killing?) (rampage?) at the Kaleidoscope Resort 25 years ago. No one knows how the victims were killed, only that most never made it out alive. She would never visit the Kaleidoscope with the children of the other survivors, right? Right??
The visit takes the reader on a terrifying experience through the Kaleidoscope, where old questions are answered, but at a cost no one could have foreseen. The journey goes through time and dimensions, which is often scary and always entertaining.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Until the Last Light Goes Out” by Courtney Gould is a book with an extremely unique premise with a sentient, hungry tropical resort as well as reality bending. It’s difficult to fully capture what exactly this book accomplishes via its plot, but it’s definitely a book I will not forget anytime soon.

The setup is immediately strong: twenty-five years ago, over 200 people, mostly high school seniors about to graduate, mysteriously died in one single night at the brand-new Kaleidoscope Resort. No violence, no obvious cause, just 183 teenagers found dead in their beds, all lying on their backs like they had simply gone to sleep and never woke up. Only five survived. Paige Keller’s mom was one of them, until she later returned to the resort and died the exact same way.

So naturally, when Paige’s best friend KJ secretly goes back to the abandoned resort to investigate and then disappears, Paige has no choice but to go after her.

And honestly? The resort is the real star of this book.

Kaleidoscope feels less like a setting and more like an actual villain. The hotel shifts while people are inside it; the hallways change, exits don’t lead outside, rooms move, time stops making sense. It feels alive in the worst possible way, like the building itself is hungry. It gave me huge haunted house vibes, except instead of just ghosts, it feels like reality itself is breaking. Very “you should absolutely leave immediately” energy, except all the doors leading outside have disappeared.

The dual timeline structure works really well too. Alongside Paige’s present-day POV, we also get chapters from her mother Casey on the night of the original massacre. Casey’s chapters are especially unsettling because she feels like she’s trapped in some kind of time loop, like she knows something is wrong but can’t fully understand it. Watching the past and present slowly collide was probably one of my favorite parts.

The horror here is less jump scares and more creeping dread, emotional manipulation, and body horror. The resort feeds off fear and trauma, pushing people to turn on each other and escalating emotions until things get violent. There are definitely some disturbing scenes, but it’s more atmospheric horror than nonstop terror.

One of the strongest themes is generational trauma. The survivors never truly escaped what happened at Kaleidoscope, and now their children are carrying the fallout. The resort becomes this really strong metaphor for trauma; it doesn’t let go, even when you think you’ve left it behind. That emotional layer gives the story a lot more weight than just “haunted hotel but scary.”

Paige is also a solid protagonist. She is capable without feeling unrealistically fearless, and her relationship with KJ adds emotional stakes that actually matter. The book also handles the friend group dynamics well without making it feel like stereotypical teen drama.

That said, the middle does drag a little. Once everyone gets trapped inside the resort, some of the more stream-of-consciousness, disjointed scenes can get confusing. It makes sense for what the characters are experiencing, but it can be hard to follow. I also found myself wanting a little more explanation for the why behind the resort. There are reveals, but if you like very clear supernatural rules and backstory, this might leave you wanting more.

Still, the ending lands. It’s dark, bittersweet, and honestly pretty perfect for the story. It doesn’t go for a neat, happy resolution because trauma doesn’t work like that. Instead, it focuses on learning how to live with what haunts you, which feels much more honest.

Overall, “Until the Last Light Goes Out” is atmospheric, emotional, and deeply unsettling in that slow, lingering way. If you like haunted house stories, sapphic horror, weird reality-bending settings, and stories where the location itself feels like it wants you dead, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Renee Gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Until The Last Light Goes Out by Courtney Gould

Until The Last Light Goes Out, a thrilling horror novel by Courtney Gould, plunges readers into a chilling tale of mystery and suspense. Set against the eerie backdrop of a soon-to-open resort named the Kaleidoscope, the book follows the haunting aftermath of a tragic night when a high school graduating class dies under mysterious circumstances during an overnight stay—only a handful survive. Twenty years later, the children of these original survivors return to the island, only to find themselves ensnared in a nightmarish loop that echoes the unsettling vibes of films like Grave Encounters. This review explores what makes Gould’s debut a captivating, if occasionally uneven, addition to contemporary horror fiction.

What stands out most in Until The Last Light Goes Out is Gould’s ability to craft an atmospheric and immersive setting. The rundown, enigmatic Kaleidoscope resort feels like a character in its own right, its halls steeped in secrets and dread. The slow unraveling of the island’s dark past is skillfully handled, drawing readers deeper into the mystery with each chapter. Gould’s pacing is deliberate, allowing tension to simmer and the horror to build subtly rather than relying solely on jump scares. This approach lends the book a suspenseful mood that horror aficionados will appreciate.

The novel’s core strength lies in its generational narrative, exploring how trauma reverberates across time. The children of the original survivors are more than mere victims; they wrestle with inherited fear and broken legacies, which adds emotional depth beyond the typical haunted setting. Characters are well-rounded enough to foster empathy, although at times their development feels secondary to the plot’s unfolding supernatural elements. The comparison to Grave Encounters is apt—there’s a meta quality to the haunting that reflects on the struggle to escape a recurring nightmare, both literal and psychological.

However, the novel is not without its weaknesses. Some plot points verge on predictable, and at times the story leans heavily into horror tropes without subverting them, which might temper the surprise for seasoned genre readers. Additionally, a few pacing inconsistencies emerge, especially in the latter half, where the narrative occasionally bogs down in exposition. Despite this, Gould’s prose remains clear and engaging, with vivid descriptions that paint the island’s ominous atmosphere effectively.

Overall, Until The Last Light Goes Out is a gripping read that balances supernatural horror with a poignant exploration of familial scars and survival. Fans of atmospheric thrillers and ghostly mysteries will find themselves absorbed by its unsettling world and emotional undercurrents. Those seeking a fresh twist on haunted house stories may find some familiar beats, but Gould’s voice and setting inject enough originality to make the journey worthwhile.

[Julia Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I binged it in a 6-hour readathon where I dont even believe I moved the entire time I was so engrossed. The story is so interesting and original. I have read a lot of horror, and I felt like I was reading something that hadn't been done a thousand times before. I am curious if the author i planning a sequel, the way it ended, was great, but it could also be expanded upon.
The book begins with a tragedy. We learn that 25 years previously, almost an entire senior class of Ripley Memorial High School died at a newly opened island resort deep in the Flordia Keys. 183 people passed with no marks or otherwise indication to tell what happened. Only 5 people survived that night, and ever since, no one really knew what happened. Our FMC, Paige, is the daughter of one of the survivors. Years after the original tragedy, Her mother, Casey, had gone back and ended up dying the same way the seniors had that night. Paige doesn't know why her mother had gone back to that place or what she was looking for.
The setting is this huge abandoned resort, The Kalidescope. It reads like a haunted house story, but it is so much more than that. Throughout the book, we get little teasers and learn more about the island and the resort, its origin story if you will. The Kalidesope Key resort begins to feel like a character on its own. At times it feels larger than life and there is no way to win, no way out of the nighmare that their lives have become, that they will spend their entire lives and after lives wandering around the resort.
This story also features a dual timeline, I am still not exactly sure if Paige was present in her mothers body, like she was seeing what had occurred that night or if we were just seeing Casey's POV. Either way, it added so much to the story.
Paige had originally gone to the resort with two of the other surviviors sons to look for her friend KJ, who had an obsession with the tragedy and the resort and had been missing for a month. Paige and KJ had a falling out, but Paige was worried about her and knew she most likely was at the resort.
The story features a time loop, ever-changing buildings with no exits or windows, and a creeping dread that gets your blood pumping. The emotional manipulation and guilt add layers to this story. Its more than just a horror novel, its about forgiveness and letting go of your trauma in order to really live as well as the premise that no matter what, the truth will always come out and there are some things you cant outrun.
Im rating this book 5 stars. I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my opinion.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this felt like watching an older horror movie written during an acid trip.

The last time Courtney Gould released a book, I immediately threw her on my auto-buy list. More than one of her books has made my favorites list, so when I got sent a widget to read the arc of this, I was absolutely thrilled.

Even more so because I didn’t even know she was releasing another book already, but that’s beside the point.

As always with this author’s work, this had an amazing concept. I’m used to gothic books being centered around manors and chapels and forests, but I’ve definitely never seen one set in a neon resort decked out in pink. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the place also has a life on its own, and the walls and rooms shift in the blink of an eye.

This takes place in dual timelines, the earlier one being the massacre at the resort that killed over 200 members of a senior class, and the later one being the children of the lone survivors returning to the place to get some answers. I didn’t expect this to be told in dual timelines, and honestly, I was a little confused at first with how it was executed. Trust me though when I say it all happens for a reason, and both stories weave together very well in the end.

There’s something about this author’s writing that works so well for me. I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly what it is, but I’m always able to imagine every scene she describes so vividly, and the entire thing feels like a movie in my head. There were several times reading this where I forgot I was even reading.

One of the things that didn’t work as well for me was some of the side characters. The main girls and their mothers I thought were well written, but I wish we had gotten a little more depth from the two other characters the girls come to the island with. There was characterization there like they weren’t completely flat or anything; I just wish their motivations behind certain decisions they made had been delved into a little more. With the last book I read by Courtney Gould, I was just as invested in the people who weren’t main characters, and I wish I could’ve gotten that feeling a little more from this.

Overall, this was a disorienting experience, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun being confused. There are a couple of classic horror clichés, but honestly, they were executed in a way that didn’t bother me and allowed me to still have fun. It also reminded me of some things I’ve read/watched years ago, specifically I Know What You Did Last Summer and Lord of the Flies. I really think that because this is on the trippy side, it will be something people either love or hate, but if you like your books like that and don’t mind going along for the ride until things fall into place, I would definitely recommend this!


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

~🅞🅥🅔🅡🅐🅛🅛 🅡🅐🅣🅘🅝🅖: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ . 25~

[AMY DURAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to to review this book!

Until the Last Night Goes Out opens with the main character, Paige, attending a memorial dedicated to students that lost their lives when visiting
Kaleidoscope Key, a resort in the Florida Keys.
In 2001, the senior class of Ripley Memorial High School visited the Kaleidoscope Key for one night, as a graduation trip. On that fated night, over 200 people entered Kaleidoscope Key, the next day only 5 survivors remained. The deaths were a mystery and the survivors claimed to have no memory of their night at Kaleidoscope Key, stating they had all fainted at arrival and woke to find their classmates dead. Paige is the daughter of one of these survivors, her mother lived that night back in 2001, but died 13 years later in the same resort.
As the story develops we slowly learn more about the lives of the remaining survivors, and Paige's best friend, KJ, another daughter of one of the original survivors. Paige discovers KJ is missing and she suspects KJ has returned to Kaleidoscope Key, determined to find out what really happened on the night of the massacre at Kaleidoscope Key.
With the remaining children of the survivors, Paige goes to Kaleidoscope Key, determined to find KJ and is forced to face the past.

I really enjoyed this book, Courtney Gould did a great job with setting the scene, I grew up in South Florida and I could feel the humid tropical winds when reading this story. The story is told in alternating narratives and different timelines, but in a perfectly seamless narrative where I was never confused.

What really worked for me was the slow build up of dread and the claustrophobic atmosphere. I also loved the relationship between Paige and KJ and the overall explorations of friendships versus trauma bonds throughout the book. What didn't work for me was the repetition, I know the resort mirrored a maze, but I do think some scenes could have been cut due to the constant repeating of the "endless hallways", Courtney Gould did a great job building the world inside of the Kaleidoscope Key so I saw no need to keep repeating these narratives.

Overall a fun spooky read, solid 4 out of 5!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this practically as soon as I received the ARC, because Courtney Gould and her writing have a hold over me.

I was not disappointed.

Here's the deal. I don't even like horror, but I love Gould so much, I will read anything she writes. And this story was amazing--sucked me in and spit me out. Somehow Gould wrote a book that makes you feel like you're inside a giant carnival funhouse, spinning from mirror to mirror, dizzy and slowly going mad trying to find your way out.

Welcome to Kaleidoscope Key.

Twenty-five years ago, a class of high school seniors were given the senior trip of a lifetime: a night at Kaleidoscope Key, a newly opened exclusive resort in Florida. But on that trip, 183 members of the senior class died. And the five survivors have never spoken about what exactly happened.

It's now the 25-year-anniversary. Paige Keller, daughter of a survivor, has reluctantly returned. She discovers that her ex-BFF KJ has gone missing. KJ is also the daughter of a survivor. And she's been obsessed with Kaleidoscope Key for years.

So Paige and the sons of two other survivors make the trip to Kaleidoscope Key. But once there, they realize there is something dreadfully wrong with this place. Time shifts. Rooms shift. Maps change. And something seems out for blood.

This story is spell-binding! Gould creates a horrifying, trippy, eerie atmosphere. The book is so terrifying and tense. I absolutely could not put it down--it's a complete page turner.

At its heart, this story asks: what would you do for the people you love? (There's something excellent happening between KJ and Paige, which I adored.) But on a darker, more terrifying level, it delves into what would you do to survive? Especially when faced with life or death.

Rarely does reading a book where everything feels wrong work perfectly, but it does here. I was simultaneously creeped out and riveted.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for this one in October, 2026!

[Angela Staudt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I dive into why this book is perfection, I need everyone to understand that this is one of the best-written horror novels I’ve ever read. I will genuinely be thinking about this book for months to come, it honestly might become my Roman Empire.

I’ve always been a fan of Courtney Gould, and once again she absolutely knocks it out of the park with her newest horror novel. This story starts with a bang and never lets up. The twists and turns completely got me. The concept alone is incredible: 200 kids travel to a brand-new island resort called the Kaelodescope for their senior trip, and overnight all but five of them die with seemingly no explanation. The mystery of what happened becomes something the entire world obsesses over. Fast forward twenty years later, and the survivors’ young adult children return to that same island resort to uncover the truth and rescue their missing friend.

I don’t want to give too much away because this is absolutely a book you should go into blind. It’s a wild ride, but also an emotional one. The resort itself becomes the true source of terror, and the dual timeline between past and present had me constantly gasping and wondering what the hell was really happening.

I LOVED the way this was written. Everything wove together so seamlessly, and there were so many mind-bending moments that had me questioning every character and everything I thought I knew.

The ending was honestly everything I wanted. It provided closure without tying everything up in a perfect little bow, which made it feel even more impactful. It was emotional, unsettling, and had me wanting to immediately reread the entire book.

My only complaint is that I wish the origin story of the island and the resort itself had been explored more because I still have so many questions. But aside from that, this book was genuinely everything I want in a horror novel.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy.

[Amanda Popken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Until the Last Light Goes Out is one of the first ARC's I've read that I was genuinely impressed with. The novel centers on a resort called the Kaleidoscope. 20+ years ago, a senior class went to the resort as a graduation event, and only a few of them came back. The book opens with this mystery: How did 180+ teenagers die? Why did only 5 survive? What happened that night? The book follows the survivor's children as they go back to the resort to search for one of their own.

This book was well written and engaging. It took me a few days to finish it because life got in the way, but I found myself thinking about it when I couldn't sit down to read. The book gives Backrooms vibes, mixed with House of Leaves, mixed with House on Haunted Hill. There's a little of everything: friendship, romance, ghosts, mystery, a slight bit of violence (I don't remember there being much gore, but there WERE scenes of violence).

My only slight critique, and it's not even that big of a critique, is that the book jumped between present day and the past. I LOVE when a book does that, but I felt that the first time it did that, I got a bit confused. I think it was because the chapter was labeled "Alt Chapter" in the table of contents, but there wasn't really anything on the actual page that indicated it was a new chapter. This was probably a Kindle error or just because it's an ARC and not the "final" version. But that was really the only thing I didn't enjoy.

I really loved this book and I've already recommended it to a few coworkers when it's published.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Gould has never done me wrong, so I kind of knew I would like this book before even reading the synopsis. I loved The Dead and the Dark and What the Woods Took.
Until the Last Light Goes Out is very different those. The story is much darker, more violent, and more…hopeless…? In a way.
Paige finds out her ex best friend is missing. Both she and the ex bestie, KJ, are both children of a small group of survivors of a mysterious massacre that occurred 25 years ago. What starts as what feels like a scooby doo mystery, Paige and 2 other survivor’s kids go back to where it happened, and that’s when shit gets real.
I was not expecting to be so thoroughly scared by this-Courtney, you got me a couple times 🥹
I love the relationship between the original survivors, but also between the children. The way the themes of generational trauma, sacrificing yourself for the good of your children, dead moms, lesbians, and lasting friendships are written, is as strong as the Kaleidoscope resort is weird and freaky.
I could not put this book down. If I had time, I could have read it in one sitting, it was that engaging. The dual timeline (sort of? Was it?! Yes. Maybe?) was done really well, the characters felt believable and realistic, and the horror was truly horrifying. The atmosphere of the resort almost felt like its own character, and it was EVIL. This is a very rare occasion where I wanted to read it again immediately upon finishing just to put all the pieces together.
God I hope this gets made into a movie.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Wednesday Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was absolutely fantastic! Hands down the best horror I've read in a long time. Think The Shining, meets Hill House, meets Carrie. Wrap it all up in a tropical gothic bow, and you're starting to get Courtney Gould's Until the Last Light Goes Out.

The story follows Paige Keller, daughter of one of the five survivors of the mysterious Kaleidoscope Resort massacre that claimed the lives of Ripley Memorial High School's senior class twenty-five years ago. All anyone knows is that 183 students were found dead in their beds, no sign of foul play in sight. Now Paige is back from college for a memorial commemorating the tragedy. But what was supposed to be a short trip quickly turns into a nightmare when she discovers that one of her close childhood friends, KJ, is missing. Knowing KJ, there's only one place she could be: the abandoned resort. Paige teams up with the other survivors' kids to rescue her. Only, the Kaleidoscope has other plans...

To say I enjoyed this would be an understatement. Paige was a great protagonist: competent, but realistically so. The setting was fascinating, and the plot kept me engaged all the way through. In addition, I thought the portrayal of high school social dynamics was incredibly accurate without being cliché.

5 Stars.

If you loved the indie game POOL or wondered what Piranesi would've been like as a horror, this is for you.

[Saren · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There was only fear and grief making monsters out of shadows.”

This is my first read by Gould, which embarrasses me a little bit considering I own several of her other titles. This was an absolute page turner - if I hadn’t had to put this down for work, I’d have finished it in a day. The setting is fantastic, and Gould does a great job of portraying the horror that Paige feels. The way we discover the truth behind the massacre at Kaleidoscope Resort, between the flashbacks, Casey’s POV, and the discoveries made by our main characters was just perfect. This is a gripping and emotionally charged horror novel that will keep you guessing every step of the way. I am a sucker for a good haunted house story and this is such a unique take on that!

I thought the ending was perfect and left just enough ambiguity to keep me wondering what happens next. I highly recommend going into this blind, as it’s such a great experience.

4.5 stars rounded up - and I’ll definitely be picking up other titles by Gould soon!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

The graduating class of 2001 is gifted a night in a glamourous new resort, by the father of a classmate. What was supposed to be a night of celebration turns into a night of terror as all by 5 students perish. It remains a mystery how all those chaperones and students perished, by all accounts there seemed to be no foul play, no wounds, and the 5 survivors do not speak about what happened with the walls of the Kaleidoscope.
I expected the deaths to be caused by something supernatural; you can't have the number of deaths in this book, with no visible cause without it being something supernatural. But, I did not expect it to turn out the way it did, but it worked. I was a touch confused for a bit of the book, going what? wait? but it felt like I was right in the middle of the chaos. which added to the horror aspect of the book.
I enjoyed the dual POV and going back and forth between the 2001 senior night and current timeline.
Definately a book I would recommend if you need a spooky read during spooky season.

[Jasmine Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not very often that I read a book that leaves me absolutely stunned into silence. I am pleased to say that Until the Last Light Goes Out, is probably at the top of that list. It is not an overstatement to say the book is both as "captivating" and "chilling" as the synopsis claims.

I'll admit, I really struggled to get behind the book in the first 29% of it; however, I read the remaining 71% in one day. Like page-turning, heavy breathing, type of reading. I was so enthralled by the atmosphere and the twisting nature of the storyline that I couldn't put the book down at times, no matter how creeped out I got.

As a visual reader, I both loved and hated how detailed some of the "jump scares" were. I was physically squirming in my seat at some points of the story. This is one of those books where I wished someone was monitoring my heart rate, because wow. If I were to advocate for any horror book to be turned into a movie, I would put most of my eggs in one basket for it to be this one.

My only regret is not reading this during the month of October, but that's what rereads are for.

[Bailey Lamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Thank you NetGalley & Wednesday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review *

This was a 3.5 rounded up. I love Courtney Gold, and I love sapphic horror - it's always emotionally rich and layered, not just jump scares but deep fears that leave you thinking long after the book ends. But this was the weaker of her discography for me. I liked aspects of this story, including: Paige and KJ, the generational trauma, the setting of the pink resort. Other parts felt a little thin for me. I didn't like or understand anyone outside of the Paige/CJ/Casey/Tess/Summer grouping, and honestly, I just wasn't that spooked by this one. It felt more like an emotional thriller than a horror to me.

If you go in expecting less shocking horror and more of an emotionally dark thriller, you'll like this one, so give it a chance.

That said, I DID like giant chunks of this book, and ultimately did like the story and I definitely liked the ending. I won't spoil it, but I especially enjoyed the epilogue.

[Comebookwithme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until the Last Light Goes Out is a beautifully eerie, reality warping horror novel where the setting becomes the true antagonist. Kaleidoscope Resort feels alive in the worst possible way, shifting hallways, disappearing exits, time that refuses to behave. The dual timeline between Paige and her mother adds a constant undercurrent of dread, and the emotional weight of generational trauma gives the story far more depth than a typical haunted hotel narrative.

Paige is a grounded, compelling protagonist, and the relationships, especially her connection to KJ, give the horror real stakes. The atmosphere is incredible: creeping dread, psychological distortion, and that slow, suffocating sense that the building is studying you. It’s unsettling and full of moments that linger long after you close the book.

I did knock off one star because the middle section drags a bit. Still, the ending lands perfectly: dark, bittersweet, and honest about the way trauma refuses to disappear neatly. A haunting, emotional read that I’d absolutely recommend to fans of atmospheric horror.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an absolute banger of a book!!

i loved everything about this. one of those books that are just so good that i was covering the bottom of the page so my eyes didn’t jump ahead.

the vibes are immaculate and i’m obsessed with the retro aesthetic of the resort. i loved the characters and how the two ‘timelines’ intersected to showcase the breaking of generational trauma.

the horror was extremely well done and left me feeling so unsettled throughout the book. it’s bloody and brutal and is amazing at creating tension and the feeling that something isn’t right here.

the central mystery is so compelling (200 people just causally dying in one night??) and finding out information and piecing it together was so much fun. it had so many twists that genuinely gagged me.

i cannot recommend this enough, especially to fans of liminal horror (like backrooms etc).

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book from Courtney Gould and it certainly won't be the last! This was a page-turning, gripping horror with undertones of generational trauma and I was locked in from start to finish.

Picture this - 25 years ago a senior class went to a newly opened resort on an island, but only a few make it out alive. Years later, the children of the remaining survivors find their way back to the island (for different reasons) and discover the horror that awaits. While I am not usually someone who immediately is drawn to supernatural or horror stories, this one caught my attention and I'm so glad that I read it. One thing that I especially loved was the dual timelines we were following that really opened my eyes to all that happened in the past (which is a mystery to us from the beginning).

I had a great time reading this book and can't wait to read more from Courtney Gould!! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

[Autumn Danner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to AA from St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this spooky, twisted in time tale. The story is not a classic campy slasher story; the primary tragedy is never spoken of, yet the danger echoes from the island. You don't know whether this is the story of a madman, a haunted resort, space-time continuum overlap or alien in nature. I love the way the different time periods were presented and the overlap in events between the two major timelines. I admit there were a few times that I was unsure if people from the past popped up in the current timeline to potentially see their current self - because, really, it seemed like it could happen. I also loved the 'personality' of the resort - both the retro decor and the manner in which the layout continually changed. The story has a lot going on, but it is a solid horror tale. Despite the jumps in time, I found the story easy to follow and quite exciting!

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kaleidoscope Key resort took out an entire 183 people senior class 25 years ago, but no one knows why or what happened. Located in the Keys, this expansive fantasy resort themed book is similar to a Lost style cast of characters and plot, with a whole lot of heart and respect for the genres it portrays. Until the Last Light Goes Out is equal parts horrifying and heart warming, filled with scenes that are unforgettable in their respective natures. I think this book totally portrays itself as a labor of love- the respect Gould carried for her characters and the life she created for them is so clear in how well this is written. There were a few confusing timeline jumps that I think will eventually be cleared up, but all in all, this is not my usual read and I adored it. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Taylor Bonin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book started out really strong with a unique premise. The mystery was intriguing and had me hooked right until the halfway mark where I found that the story began to fall apart. The characters were a little too one note and were underdeveloped. A big dislike for me came from characters withholding information because it would have driven the plot forward too quickly so instead they just stayed silent. That happened repeatedly and the lack of communication during certain situations was frustrating. Enjoyed the weirdness of the hotel and its characterization and backrooms feel, but it did get repetitive. The writing was good but a little too dialogue heavy for my tastes, with lots of exposition.

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until the Last Light Goes Out is scarier than Gould's other books.
I was immediately hooked.
25 years ago, a senior class had a senior night at a newly built resort. Almost all of them died- but no one knows how.
The 5 survivors can't (or won't) tell you what happened either.
When the children of the survivors return to the resort, the horror reawakens.
This book is full of creeping dread. The resort rooms move around, there are noises, and something is trying to kill them.

The dual timelines keep you turning pages and the pace doesn't let up.

If you like haunted house stories, I think this will be a great book to pick up when it comes out in October 2026

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy for review.

[Kelbee Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this book was going to be a banger just from the summary. The central mystery is compelling from the start only gets stranger and more disorienting in the best way.

It reminds me a lot of “the swimming pool in my dreams”, like those liminal space TikTok’s — if you know, you KNOW. Same eerie, slippery feeling where everything feels slightly off and emotionally intense at the same time.

This is very much a twisty, windy, horror/thriller. I really appreciated how unique the story felt.

I think the pacing is what kept this from being a full 5 stars for me. There were moments where it dragged just a little, but overall I still had a really good time with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Eshen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book scared the crap out of me. Horror books never get to me, but something about the vivid descriptions and incredibly traumatized characters who don’t give up really really permeated my brain and I have been so unsettled since reading it (almost a week ago now). I’m having a hard time writing this review because I cannot even pinpoint what freaked me out so much, but Gould did something right because I am feeling almost as haunted as the characters. This was a really well developed, if sometimes a bit on the nose, exploration of generational trauma through horror and I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. I didn’t know anything about it prior. I was excited to read it. This story was definitely different. The Kaleidoscope was definitely unlike anything I could have imagined. It was a bit confusing bouncing between before and after. (Or maybe it was just me.) The story itself was interesting. The idea that a living breathing entity could survive, grow and cause all that damage and heartache. I did figure out a few things before they were revealed but overall, this story definitely kept me wondering. The ending was unexpected. I definitely would like to know what exactly is going to happen to satisfy it now. Makes me wonder. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I loved the relationships between the two main females and how they never gave up on each other.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun twist on gothic horror. Instead of your usual crumbling mansion in the fog, we get a glossy, sun-soaked South Florida resort, and somehow it’s just as creepy (if not creepier??). The vibes are great in a “something is very wrong here” kind of way.

I had a great time with this one. It’s eerie, a little gross, and super readable, with a cast of characters that kept me hooked the whole way through.

What worked for me:

The setting: Truly inspired.
Teenage girl friendships: Messy, intense, painfully real.
The gore: Gross! But like… in a fun way. Not too much.
The ending: Loved it.

[Nique Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Horror lover, this book really filled that void for me. It's so hard to find great horror books, but everything about this book was GREAT to me.

I love how Paige is the daughter of a precious victim of a massacre. That's one of the best horror tropes for me. The way you discover the mystery behind the massacre at Kaleidescope Resort had me ready to keep reading until the very end. It was hard to put down. Finding out Paige's friend is missing really was the icing on the cake. This book was well-written, mysterious and in some parts SCARY.

I think to me it is definitely a cross between Spring Breakers and The Haunting of Hill House. I definitely recommend.