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Until the Last Light Goes Out
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26Flickering 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.
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.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Courtney Gould
6 books1,006 followersCourtney 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.
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July 14, 2026sometimes i think i'm getting too old and jaded to enjoy YA horror, but then courtney gould's work reminds me of just how excellent it can be. chilling, grief-soaked, and deeply gay.
rtc!!
rtc!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
MY RATING: 4.5⭐rounded up
GENRE: YA Survival Horror
PUBLICATION DATE: October 13th, 2026
Buckle up, folks, you are in for an unnerving, atmospheric, messed up ride!
In 2001, what should have been a luxurious and opulent graduation for the senior class of Ripley Memorial, ended in tragedy; only five survived the Kaleidoscope Key resort massacre. Now, on the 25th anniversary memorial, three teen children of the survivors venture out to the abandoned resort to find their missing friend. Paige, Caleb and Mateo have no use for the supernatural theories they’ve spent their entire lives hearing about and warned against. It’s just an abandoned hotel on an uninhabited island. Right? What could possibly go wrong?
I was super stoked to start reading this and I had no idea what I was in for. This is one spectacular fever dream!
🥳 What I loved
Atmosphere: Right from the start, I was immersed in the creepy, claustrophobic and unsettling hotel. Gould masterfully created this mind-bending setting that totally messed up my head. I wish I could say more but that would venture into spoiler territory, so suffice it to say, be prepared to be completely sucked in.
Dual timeline/perspective: Told in third person POV, we follow Paige in the present and her mom, Casey, in the past. But make no mistake, this is not your average “then” vs. “now” timeline. The two timelines are woven together so seamlessly that it’s often difficult to tell which one you’re in.
Characters: Gould’s eloquent prose makes the characters feel vivid and authentic. Their thoughts, actions, and emotions unfold naturally, while the parallels between Paige and KJ’s relationship and that of their mothers are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It’s impossible to not get all the feels.
Horror elements: Although there are plenty of graphic scenes to please any horror afficionado (and one in particular that completely gave me the creeps so bravo on that!), I most enjoyed the overarching “what the heck is happening” theme. Without exaggeration, this book will play with your head!
🤔 Things to consider
Pacing: This is an extremely slow burn, which I don’t usually do well with, and takes its time getting where it’s going. It’s a testament to Gould’s incredible writing that this is only a ½ star deduction from me. If you enjoy this type of pacing, this will be no issue!
Final Verdict & Recommendation
An absolute mind-bending horror novel that will have you questioning everything, including your own sanity! Highly recommended for fans of Erica Waters or Darcy Coates or shows like Black Mirror . 4.5 glowing ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Courtney Gould for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
GENRE: YA Survival Horror
PUBLICATION DATE: October 13th, 2026
Buckle up, folks, you are in for an unnerving, atmospheric, messed up ride!
In 2001, what should have been a luxurious and opulent graduation for the senior class of Ripley Memorial, ended in tragedy; only five survived the Kaleidoscope Key resort massacre. Now, on the 25th anniversary memorial, three teen children of the survivors venture out to the abandoned resort to find their missing friend. Paige, Caleb and Mateo have no use for the supernatural theories they’ve spent their entire lives hearing about and warned against. It’s just an abandoned hotel on an uninhabited island. Right? What could possibly go wrong?
I was super stoked to start reading this and I had no idea what I was in for. This is one spectacular fever dream!
🥳 What I loved
Atmosphere: Right from the start, I was immersed in the creepy, claustrophobic and unsettling hotel. Gould masterfully created this mind-bending setting that totally messed up my head. I wish I could say more but that would venture into spoiler territory, so suffice it to say, be prepared to be completely sucked in.
Dual timeline/perspective: Told in third person POV, we follow Paige in the present and her mom, Casey, in the past. But make no mistake, this is not your average “then” vs. “now” timeline. The two timelines are woven together so seamlessly that it’s often difficult to tell which one you’re in.
Characters: Gould’s eloquent prose makes the characters feel vivid and authentic. Their thoughts, actions, and emotions unfold naturally, while the parallels between Paige and KJ’s relationship and that of their mothers are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It’s impossible to not get all the feels.
Horror elements: Although there are plenty of graphic scenes to please any horror afficionado (and one in particular that completely gave me the creeps so bravo on that!), I most enjoyed the overarching “what the heck is happening” theme. Without exaggeration, this book will play with your head!
🤔 Things to consider
Pacing: This is an extremely slow burn, which I don’t usually do well with, and takes its time getting where it’s going. It’s a testament to Gould’s incredible writing that this is only a ½ star deduction from me. If you enjoy this type of pacing, this will be no issue!
Final Verdict & Recommendation
An absolute mind-bending horror novel that will have you questioning everything, including your own sanity! Highly recommended for fans of Erica Waters or Darcy Coates or shows like Black Mirror . 4.5 glowing ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Courtney Gould for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
April 17, 2026
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley.
A creepy, bewildering story of love, friendship, and ambition. But it was a little too convoluted for me.
Until the Last Light Goes Out begins at the 25th anniversary of the Kaleidoscope Key Massacre. It tells the story of two generations of locals: The original surviving teens, who now have families of their own, and their own teens who are now drawn to the place their parents fear the most. We follow Paige, ostensibly returning for the memorial, but is really looking for her best friend KJ, a recent Kaleidoscope massacre obsessive.
I loved the inspiration this takes from the camp slasher genre and outsider stories like Carrie, and the message at the end is really clear and satisfying. However, I never really found my footing with this book. It has parallel and crossing timelines and stories, the big bad's modus operandi is changeable, the mental map I had of the Key was very hard to grasp and there's an unreliable narrator. And none of that is particularly damning. I understand this was to create dread, tension, and confusion, but when you add it together there was too much uncertainty for me.
Thanks again to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for this ARC.
A creepy, bewildering story of love, friendship, and ambition. But it was a little too convoluted for me.
Until the Last Light Goes Out begins at the 25th anniversary of the Kaleidoscope Key Massacre. It tells the story of two generations of locals: The original surviving teens, who now have families of their own, and their own teens who are now drawn to the place their parents fear the most. We follow Paige, ostensibly returning for the memorial, but is really looking for her best friend KJ, a recent Kaleidoscope massacre obsessive.
I loved the inspiration this takes from the camp slasher genre and outsider stories like Carrie, and the message at the end is really clear and satisfying. However, I never really found my footing with this book. It has parallel and crossing timelines and stories, the big bad's modus operandi is changeable, the mental map I had of the Key was very hard to grasp and there's an unreliable narrator. And none of that is particularly damning. I understand this was to create dread, tension, and confusion, but when you add it together there was too much uncertainty for me.
Thanks again to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well, it’s been a few days, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around what I read. Unfortunately, the details have also started to fade, which probably says something in itself. I was super excited to read this one, and I think I set my expectations too high because the letdown was pretty harsh.
I was thankful to receive both the complimentary eARC from Wednesday Books and the audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which allowed me to dive into an immersive reading experience.
For the positive: the narration by Carrie Coello and Lindsey Dorcas was great. The production overall was wonderful, as it always is with Macmillan Audio. The sound quality, pacing, and casting were all 5⭐️.
The beginning of the book was great! It was creepy and had such atmospheric vibes that felt perfect for spooky season. Unfortunately, as the book progressed, it lost momentum. It became repetitive and increasingly convoluted, and the pacing also got really bizarre. Usually, when I’m doing an immersion read or even reading an audiobook on its own, I don’t notice the pacing as much since the story is being read to me. In this case, though, it was really noticeable, and it felt like the pacing was all over the place.
It was almost as though the author didn’t know what she wanted this book to be. That was especially jarring for me because I had loved What the Woods Took by this author, and I specifically mentioned in that review how well written it was. This felt like the exact opposite.
Unfortunately, this is one I’m not going to recommend. And honestly, that’s a disappointing place to land because I really wanted to love it.
I was thankful to receive both the complimentary eARC from Wednesday Books and the audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which allowed me to dive into an immersive reading experience.
For the positive: the narration by Carrie Coello and Lindsey Dorcas was great. The production overall was wonderful, as it always is with Macmillan Audio. The sound quality, pacing, and casting were all 5⭐️.
The beginning of the book was great! It was creepy and had such atmospheric vibes that felt perfect for spooky season. Unfortunately, as the book progressed, it lost momentum. It became repetitive and increasingly convoluted, and the pacing also got really bizarre. Usually, when I’m doing an immersion read or even reading an audiobook on its own, I don’t notice the pacing as much since the story is being read to me. In this case, though, it was really noticeable, and it felt like the pacing was all over the place.
It was almost as though the author didn’t know what she wanted this book to be. That was especially jarring for me because I had loved What the Woods Took by this author, and I specifically mentioned in that review how well written it was. This felt like the exact opposite.
Unfortunately, this is one I’m not going to recommend. And honestly, that’s a disappointing place to land because I really wanted to love it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Pan Macmillan for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
If you enjoy liminal-space/impossible-maze narratives, only with a heart, it doesn't get any better than this. Told in a double-timeline narrative (Paige's POV in the present, her mother Casey's in the past), UTLLGO blends atmospheric/body horror (but also the horror of being a teen and inherently straddling a different kind of liminal space - the one between victim and abuser, popular and outcast), generational trauma, coming of age, fierce friendship/lesbian awakening, on the backdrop of a labyrinthine, impossible building that is not a haunted house, but a haunt in itself. Rooms shift, time breaks, violence erupts, the resort feeds, and a bunch of friends (in both timelines) try to find a way out: what's not to love? But the human angle is equally compelling, with themes of guilt, atonement and sacrifice, but also hope and strength - including that of rising above the sins of your parents. The ending is...interesting, and while it doesn't wrap things up in a convenient ribbon, it at least offers some (provisional) closure and a tendril of hope. Once more, Courtney Gould proves to be capable to write the type of supernatural horror populated by genuine teens that even more mature readers can enjoy.
TW (list provided by the author): body horror, self harm, death/harm of a child, gore/violence, suicide, homophobia; (more): death of a parent (off-page), near-drowning, animal killing (bird), vomiting.
Note: as a rule, I review every book that I rate 4 stars and above in full, unless it's a novella or an anthology. But I didn't want to go in too deep about this one to avoid spoilers, and it felt easy to summarise its contents (and my opinions) in a few sentences, so I took the mini-review route.
If you enjoy liminal-space/impossible-maze narratives, only with a heart, it doesn't get any better than this. Told in a double-timeline narrative (Paige's POV in the present, her mother Casey's in the past), UTLLGO blends atmospheric/body horror (but also the horror of being a teen and inherently straddling a different kind of liminal space - the one between victim and abuser, popular and outcast), generational trauma, coming of age, fierce friendship/lesbian awakening, on the backdrop of a labyrinthine, impossible building that is not a haunted house, but a haunt in itself. Rooms shift, time breaks, violence erupts, the resort feeds, and a bunch of friends (in both timelines) try to find a way out: what's not to love? But the human angle is equally compelling, with themes of guilt, atonement and sacrifice, but also hope and strength - including that of rising above the sins of your parents. The ending is...interesting, and while it doesn't wrap things up in a convenient ribbon, it at least offers some (provisional) closure and a tendril of hope. Once more, Courtney Gould proves to be capable to write the type of supernatural horror populated by genuine teens that even more mature readers can enjoy.
TW (list provided by the author): body horror, self harm, death/harm of a child, gore/violence, suicide, homophobia; (more): death of a parent (off-page), near-drowning, animal killing (bird), vomiting.
Note: as a rule, I review every book that I rate 4 stars and above in full, unless it's a novella or an anthology. But I didn't want to go in too deep about this one to avoid spoilers, and it felt easy to summarise its contents (and my opinions) in a few sentences, so I took the mini-review route.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book/Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Cover: ⭐️⭐⭐⭐
Trigger Warning(s): Murder, Death Of Parent (Off Page), Homophobia, Death Of Child, Violence, Gore
POV: Dual, Third Person
Series/Standalone/Duet: Standalone
First In Series: No
Cliffhanger: No
Genre: Young Adult
Subgenre: Horror, Thriller
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥.75
Safe or Dark: Dark ️
Expected Release Date: October 13, 2026
Quick Take Review 💥:
This was a somewhat oddly-paced, run-of-the-mill thriller that kept me mostly entertained from beginning to end, even if it didn't do anything particularly new or surprising. The plot moved quickly, making it an easy book to fly through, and there was enough tension to keep me turning the pages. While the twists were fairly predictable and the story followed a familiar formula, it was still an enjoyable read. It may not be groundbreaking or especially memorable, but sometimes a straightforward thriller is exactly what you're in the mood for.
In Depth Review 👇
Summary 📖:
You may not escape, but the truth will.
Twenty-five years ago, the senior class of Ripley Memorial High School spent their graduation trip at the luxurious Kaleidoscope Key resort in the Florida Keys. By morning, 183 students were dead. The five survivors have never spoken about the massacre or what truly happened on that fateful night.
Paige Keller, the daughter of one of the survivors, has spent her life trying to distance herself from both the resort and the unsolved mystery that her former best friend, KJ, can't seem to let go. Now that Paige is away at college, it finally seems as though she has escaped the shadow of the Kaleidoscope Key tragedy. Or so she thought.
On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the massacre, Paige is called home and learns that KJ has disappeared.
There's only one place KJ could have gone: the now-abandoned Kaleidoscope Key.
Paige and the children of the other survivors set out to find her, forcing them to confront both their own pasts and the secrets their parents have kept buried for decades.
But Kaleidoscope Key has not been empty. It has been dormant. And it has been starving.
Once the group makes its way inside, they quickly realize there may be no way out. One way or another, the truth behind the massacre will finally come to light, whether anyone wants it to or not.
Writing 📝:
Courtney Gould’s straightforward writing makes this an easy book to follow and understand. While I’m an adult in my late thirties reading a young adult novel, I believe this is exactly how I would have felt about her writing if I were part of the intended audience. I appreciated the simple prose and to-the-point details.
Thoughts 💭:
At the start of all my Young Adult book reviews, I like to point out that I’m a 37-year-old woman reviewing a book aimed at a much younger audience, and that perspective may influence some of my opinions about the book.
This book opens right in the heart of the situation with a gripping prologue. Its ominous tone immediately draws readers in and leaves them wanting to know more.
The short chapters make this a quick, easy read. Paired with the straightforward writing style, it's a breeze to fly through multiple chapters in one sitting. That's always a nice bonus.
Despite that, this book is definitely a slow burn. The tension doesn't ramp up right away; instead, it builds gradually over time. So don't expect things to get intense right away. If you're not a slow-burn kind of person, this one might not be for you. That said, I'm usually not a slow-burn girlie either, and I still ended up sticking with it. So, that's saying something.
The vibes in this one were absolutely vibing. The spooky atmosphere, the paranormal elements, and the overall eerie setting were all done incredibly well. The hotel itself felt like another character in the story, which was such a great addition. That was probably my favorite aspect of the book.
The dual timeline was a nice touch. It was fun following Paige in the present while slowly learning what happened with her mom twenty-five years earlier. The shifts between timelines never disrupted the flow, and we got just enough information about what happened the night of the Kaleidoscope tragedy to keep me wanting more. The jumps between the two timelines were smooth and never felt confusing or took me out of the story.
The way the book explored high school hierarchy and social status was really interesting and honestly hit home for me. It reminded me how much those roles seem to matter when you're in school, even though they end up meaning so little in the grand scheme of things. It took me right back to those years and made me realize how silly it was to stress over who was popular or where you fit in. Looking back on it was actually kind of fun and a little therapeutic too.
I thought both twists were well done. They didn’t completely floor me, but they still caught me by surprise in a satisfying way. They felt believable within the story, and I was happy with how they played out.
The ending was bittersweet, but I thought it was a fitting way to wrap everything up. I finished the book without any lingering questions or feeling like something was missing. It provided a satisfying sense of closure, and I appreciated that.
While I did enjoy the book overall, I do think the concept became a bit repetitive and started to drag in the middle. Some aspects felt stretched out longer than necessary, and I would have liked to see more happen to prevent that lull. It felt like there were several moments where the same events were repeating without enough progression. By the 50% mark, I found myself hoping for something more to move the story forward. Instead, we got endless strange noises and never-ending hallways. I enjoyed the overall vibe and atmosphere, but I wish something more exciting had been introduced to keep the momentum going.
At the end of the day, this book was just too long. It easily could've been cut by 100 pages and still had the same effect.
I can't say I enjoyed the characters. They weren't terrible by any means; it may just be my age showing, since I don't relate to teenagers and people in their early twenties the way I used to. Since I’m older now. I just never really connected with them, and because of that, I wasn't particularly rooting for anyone to come out on top.
Paige was so unlikeable that, at times, I hated being in her head. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be KJ.
Abandoned places have always creeped me out, and this book reminded me exactly why.
Final Verdict ⚖️
[ ] You NEED to read this book! DO IT!
[✅] You won’t regret picking up this book but also won’t regret it if you don’t.
[ ] Don’t make the same mistake that I did. DO NOT read this book!
Just a reminder: reading is totally subjective, and that’s what makes it so great. What speaks to one person might not to another, and that’s okay. There's never a reason to put someone down for loving a book you didn’t vibe with. Be kind, the world is already cruel enough. 😊
I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.
Book Cover: ⭐️⭐⭐⭐
Trigger Warning(s): Murder, Death Of Parent (Off Page), Homophobia, Death Of Child, Violence, Gore
POV: Dual, Third Person
Series/Standalone/Duet: Standalone
First In Series: No
Cliffhanger: No
Genre: Young Adult
Subgenre: Horror, Thriller
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥.75
Safe or Dark: Dark ️
Expected Release Date: October 13, 2026
Quick Take Review 💥:
This was a somewhat oddly-paced, run-of-the-mill thriller that kept me mostly entertained from beginning to end, even if it didn't do anything particularly new or surprising. The plot moved quickly, making it an easy book to fly through, and there was enough tension to keep me turning the pages. While the twists were fairly predictable and the story followed a familiar formula, it was still an enjoyable read. It may not be groundbreaking or especially memorable, but sometimes a straightforward thriller is exactly what you're in the mood for.
In Depth Review 👇
Summary 📖:
You may not escape, but the truth will.
Twenty-five years ago, the senior class of Ripley Memorial High School spent their graduation trip at the luxurious Kaleidoscope Key resort in the Florida Keys. By morning, 183 students were dead. The five survivors have never spoken about the massacre or what truly happened on that fateful night.
Paige Keller, the daughter of one of the survivors, has spent her life trying to distance herself from both the resort and the unsolved mystery that her former best friend, KJ, can't seem to let go. Now that Paige is away at college, it finally seems as though she has escaped the shadow of the Kaleidoscope Key tragedy. Or so she thought.
On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the massacre, Paige is called home and learns that KJ has disappeared.
There's only one place KJ could have gone: the now-abandoned Kaleidoscope Key.
Paige and the children of the other survivors set out to find her, forcing them to confront both their own pasts and the secrets their parents have kept buried for decades.
But Kaleidoscope Key has not been empty. It has been dormant. And it has been starving.
Once the group makes its way inside, they quickly realize there may be no way out. One way or another, the truth behind the massacre will finally come to light, whether anyone wants it to or not.
Writing 📝:
Courtney Gould’s straightforward writing makes this an easy book to follow and understand. While I’m an adult in my late thirties reading a young adult novel, I believe this is exactly how I would have felt about her writing if I were part of the intended audience. I appreciated the simple prose and to-the-point details.
Thoughts 💭:
At the start of all my Young Adult book reviews, I like to point out that I’m a 37-year-old woman reviewing a book aimed at a much younger audience, and that perspective may influence some of my opinions about the book.
This book opens right in the heart of the situation with a gripping prologue. Its ominous tone immediately draws readers in and leaves them wanting to know more.
The short chapters make this a quick, easy read. Paired with the straightforward writing style, it's a breeze to fly through multiple chapters in one sitting. That's always a nice bonus.
Despite that, this book is definitely a slow burn. The tension doesn't ramp up right away; instead, it builds gradually over time. So don't expect things to get intense right away. If you're not a slow-burn kind of person, this one might not be for you. That said, I'm usually not a slow-burn girlie either, and I still ended up sticking with it. So, that's saying something.
The vibes in this one were absolutely vibing. The spooky atmosphere, the paranormal elements, and the overall eerie setting were all done incredibly well. The hotel itself felt like another character in the story, which was such a great addition. That was probably my favorite aspect of the book.
The dual timeline was a nice touch. It was fun following Paige in the present while slowly learning what happened with her mom twenty-five years earlier. The shifts between timelines never disrupted the flow, and we got just enough information about what happened the night of the Kaleidoscope tragedy to keep me wanting more. The jumps between the two timelines were smooth and never felt confusing or took me out of the story.
The way the book explored high school hierarchy and social status was really interesting and honestly hit home for me. It reminded me how much those roles seem to matter when you're in school, even though they end up meaning so little in the grand scheme of things. It took me right back to those years and made me realize how silly it was to stress over who was popular or where you fit in. Looking back on it was actually kind of fun and a little therapeutic too.
I thought both twists were well done. They didn’t completely floor me, but they still caught me by surprise in a satisfying way. They felt believable within the story, and I was happy with how they played out.
The ending was bittersweet, but I thought it was a fitting way to wrap everything up. I finished the book without any lingering questions or feeling like something was missing. It provided a satisfying sense of closure, and I appreciated that.
While I did enjoy the book overall, I do think the concept became a bit repetitive and started to drag in the middle. Some aspects felt stretched out longer than necessary, and I would have liked to see more happen to prevent that lull. It felt like there were several moments where the same events were repeating without enough progression. By the 50% mark, I found myself hoping for something more to move the story forward. Instead, we got endless strange noises and never-ending hallways. I enjoyed the overall vibe and atmosphere, but I wish something more exciting had been introduced to keep the momentum going.
At the end of the day, this book was just too long. It easily could've been cut by 100 pages and still had the same effect.
I can't say I enjoyed the characters. They weren't terrible by any means; it may just be my age showing, since I don't relate to teenagers and people in their early twenties the way I used to. Since I’m older now. I just never really connected with them, and because of that, I wasn't particularly rooting for anyone to come out on top.
Paige was so unlikeable that, at times, I hated being in her head. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be KJ.
Abandoned places have always creeped me out, and this book reminded me exactly why.
Final Verdict ⚖️
[ ] You NEED to read this book! DO IT!
[✅] You won’t regret picking up this book but also won’t regret it if you don’t.
[ ] Don’t make the same mistake that I did. DO NOT read this book!
Just a reminder: reading is totally subjective, and that’s what makes it so great. What speaks to one person might not to another, and that’s okay. There's never a reason to put someone down for loving a book you didn’t vibe with. Be kind, the world is already cruel enough. 😊
I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
This is my voluntary, unbiased, and honest review.
Read
July 5, 2026🌴💀 Until the Last Light Goes Out 💀🌴
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• YA Horror
• Gothic Mystery
• Abandoned Resort
• Multiple POVs
• Survival Horror
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: October 13, 2026
Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• YA Horror
• Gothic Mystery
• Abandoned Resort
• Multiple POVs
• Survival Horror
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: October 13, 2026
Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm a sucker for isolated urban/abandoned exploration, and this delivered with one heck of a bloody history attached. I enjoyed this a lot and never guessed where this was going to go. It was a great slow-burn mutli-timeline/POV mystery. That said, I did the audiobook and the narrator for the past POV made me not want the past POV lol
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an interesting concept worn thin by repetition. Initially, I liked that the weirdness of the Kaleidoscope started right away, but by the middle-end, I was ready for something else to happen. There’s only so much wandering around impossible hallways and running from strange noises that a girl can take before it becomes boring rather than frightening, and it’s nearly impossible to sustain the tension for that long. There are a couple unsettling moments of vore horror but, again, it’s more interesting in concept than execution.
I didn’t have any particular feelings about the characters. I think Gould does a nice job setting up the contrast between logical, orderly Paige and chaotic KJ. Their best friendship is a little insular, maybe even a little codependent, and it puts the rest of the characters in shadow. It’s clear the side characters are never as important to them (or the story) as they are to each other. I typically enjoy Gould’s wlw romances, but in this case it felt a little shoehorned and under-developed. I didn’t much enjoy the flashbacks to the previous massacre either, but that’s typical for me. I’m not sure they add much to our understanding of what’s going on, but they provide body count and some slasher-style horror.
If you’re the sort of reader who prefers to have everything explained, this book isn’t going to work for you. For as much as we see of the resort, we see very little of the force behind it. I wanted less of the haunted house and more of the monster, and I ended with a lot of questions. Is it even a physical being? Are they always just inside its consciousness? I’m not saying the book needs to answer all of these to be effective–sometimes the scariest monsters are the vaguest ones–just that it doesn’t.
The ending feels a little neat. It’s almost as though Gould wrote herself so big and powerful a monster that she couldn’t find a way to write herself back out. At no point did I feel like the characters stood a chance of surviving, so any loophole was going to feel like just that. It’s not my favorite Gould, but it’s not my least favorite either. I received an invitation to read a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
I didn’t have any particular feelings about the characters. I think Gould does a nice job setting up the contrast between logical, orderly Paige and chaotic KJ. Their best friendship is a little insular, maybe even a little codependent, and it puts the rest of the characters in shadow. It’s clear the side characters are never as important to them (or the story) as they are to each other. I typically enjoy Gould’s wlw romances, but in this case it felt a little shoehorned and under-developed. I didn’t much enjoy the flashbacks to the previous massacre either, but that’s typical for me. I’m not sure they add much to our understanding of what’s going on, but they provide body count and some slasher-style horror.
If you’re the sort of reader who prefers to have everything explained, this book isn’t going to work for you. For as much as we see of the resort, we see very little of the force behind it. I wanted less of the haunted house and more of the monster, and I ended with a lot of questions. Is it even a physical being? Are they always just inside its consciousness? I’m not saying the book needs to answer all of these to be effective–sometimes the scariest monsters are the vaguest ones–just that it doesn’t.
The ending feels a little neat. It’s almost as though Gould wrote herself so big and powerful a monster that she couldn’t find a way to write herself back out. At no point did I feel like the characters stood a chance of surviving, so any loophole was going to feel like just that. It’s not my favorite Gould, but it’s not my least favorite either. I received an invitation to read a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
April 20, 2026
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!
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!
July 27, 2026
This was the coolest concept ever! That opening chapter? I had so many questions!
I went into this unsure if this was a thriller or a paranormal horror story but it makes it pretty clear from the first chapter what direction this book is taking. The nature of the massacre makes it clear from the start that this absolutely will be paranormal story, which honestly I much prefer over the run of the mill thriller. You have an entire senior class who are gifted one free night at the brand new luxurious Kaleidoscope Key resort, only accessible by boat for the very wealthy. Nothing seems off at all, until the next day, when the marina staff return, they find every member of the senior class (except 5 students) plus all the chaperones and resort staff found dead in their rooms with their eyes open. No foul play indicated, no underlying health conditions, nothing suspicious, no flaws in the resort’s construction found. There simply was just, no visible cause of death for over 200 people. The 5 survivors claimed they fainted and woke up to find everyone dead. You can imagine how big a case this becomes, yet no internet detectives were able to find any answers to any of this. The Kaleidoscope becomes abandoned and nothing more happens for over a decade until one of the surviving five is found dead in abandoned resort in the same odd way, leaving behind a daughter.
The kids of the five survivors keep in touch, until one of them goes missing, the one who had an obsession with going to the Kaleidoscope for answers. The parents are clearly hiding something about that happened that night and are no help, so naturally, the other kids go after her. They get onto the Kaleidoscope way too easily tbh, and the lack of security measures keeping people out makes me wonder how in the world this place hasn’t caused more deaths. The moment they get there, insanely supernatural things start happening almost immediately. The plot reminds me of House of Leaves but at a resort instead of a haunted house. The place is completely nonsensical! What is actually wrong with this resort?
All I can say is, this book is actually scary. Genuinely. And it’s hard to find a horror novel thags actually scary. This is the scariest book I’ve read since Incidents Around The House probably. It’s dark, it’s unpleasant, and it’s not what I would call a fun read. But it was one of the most unsettling, claustrophobic books I’ve read in a while and in the horror genre that’s a compliment I suppose. A bittersweet, uneasy read. Give this one a try only if you don’t scare easily!
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
I went into this unsure if this was a thriller or a paranormal horror story but it makes it pretty clear from the first chapter what direction this book is taking. The nature of the massacre makes it clear from the start that this absolutely will be paranormal story, which honestly I much prefer over the run of the mill thriller. You have an entire senior class who are gifted one free night at the brand new luxurious Kaleidoscope Key resort, only accessible by boat for the very wealthy. Nothing seems off at all, until the next day, when the marina staff return, they find every member of the senior class (except 5 students) plus all the chaperones and resort staff found dead in their rooms with their eyes open. No foul play indicated, no underlying health conditions, nothing suspicious, no flaws in the resort’s construction found. There simply was just, no visible cause of death for over 200 people. The 5 survivors claimed they fainted and woke up to find everyone dead. You can imagine how big a case this becomes, yet no internet detectives were able to find any answers to any of this. The Kaleidoscope becomes abandoned and nothing more happens for over a decade until one of the surviving five is found dead in abandoned resort in the same odd way, leaving behind a daughter.
The kids of the five survivors keep in touch, until one of them goes missing, the one who had an obsession with going to the Kaleidoscope for answers. The parents are clearly hiding something about that happened that night and are no help, so naturally, the other kids go after her. They get onto the Kaleidoscope way too easily tbh, and the lack of security measures keeping people out makes me wonder how in the world this place hasn’t caused more deaths. The moment they get there, insanely supernatural things start happening almost immediately. The plot reminds me of House of Leaves but at a resort instead of a haunted house. The place is completely nonsensical! What is actually wrong with this resort?
All I can say is, this book is actually scary. Genuinely. And it’s hard to find a horror novel thags actually scary. This is the scariest book I’ve read since Incidents Around The House probably. It’s dark, it’s unpleasant, and it’s not what I would call a fun read. But it was one of the most unsettling, claustrophobic books I’ve read in a while and in the horror genre that’s a compliment I suppose. A bittersweet, uneasy read. Give this one a try only if you don’t scare easily!
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 4.25 stars
Think Miami gothic with a little touch of The Haunting of Bly Manor and you get Until the Last Light Goes Out. The atmosphere is cloying with suffocating humidity, blinking neon lights, and depthless waters. And at the bloody heart of the story is the unsolved mystery of the Kaleidoscope Key. 25 years ago, a group of almost 200 high school seniors entered the Kaleidoscope Key, and only 5 walked out. Now the second generation survivors, the children of the 5, are being called back to the deadly island resort.
The story is haunting and filled characters you see through their best and worst. I enjoyed the dreadful ride.
rep: the mc is a lesbian (though the word isn't used on page to describe her) | sapphic love interest
Think Miami gothic with a little touch of The Haunting of Bly Manor and you get Until the Last Light Goes Out. The atmosphere is cloying with suffocating humidity, blinking neon lights, and depthless waters. And at the bloody heart of the story is the unsolved mystery of the Kaleidoscope Key. 25 years ago, a group of almost 200 high school seniors entered the Kaleidoscope Key, and only 5 walked out. Now the second generation survivors, the children of the 5, are being called back to the deadly island resort.
The story is haunting and filled characters you see through their best and worst. I enjoyed the dreadful ride.
rep: the mc is a lesbian (though the word isn't used on page to describe her) | sapphic love interest
September 26, 2026
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was an incredible book. While it started out like a YA horror novel, once the true horrors of the Kaleidoscope began things really ramped up in gruesome and bloody fashion. The evil entity of the resort was a formidable villain, and it kept you guessing what was really going on. A fantastic, exhilarating read. - 4.5/5*
This was an incredible book. While it started out like a YA horror novel, once the true horrors of the Kaleidoscope began things really ramped up in gruesome and bloody fashion. The evil entity of the resort was a formidable villain, and it kept you guessing what was really going on. A fantastic, exhilarating read. - 4.5/5*
September 26, 2026
3.5. Perfect YA horror book. Would highly recommend to those that like mild horror and great mystery.
June 22, 2026
I always find Courtney Gould’s books to be incredibly creepy and long-lasting in my mind, and this one is no different!
The thought of a supernatural hotel actually sends me into oblivion and makes my skin crawl (in the BEST way possible)! This book was everything I wanted it to be and more with the incredible connections between characters, the thoroughly developed plot, and the intense feeling that something is lurking within the pages just waiting to pounce.
Without getting into too much, just know that this book will have you on the edge of your seat and while it pulls into the paranormal like Courtney Gould’s other books, I think reading it in the summer is the best season. It feels warm and sticky and lingering like the heat of summer …. And it’s so perfect.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this incredible book!
The thought of a supernatural hotel actually sends me into oblivion and makes my skin crawl (in the BEST way possible)! This book was everything I wanted it to be and more with the incredible connections between characters, the thoroughly developed plot, and the intense feeling that something is lurking within the pages just waiting to pounce.
Without getting into too much, just know that this book will have you on the edge of your seat and while it pulls into the paranormal like Courtney Gould’s other books, I think reading it in the summer is the best season. It feels warm and sticky and lingering like the heat of summer …. And it’s so perfect.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this incredible book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a tough one to rate. I love the plot. A senior class gets a free night at a brand new high-end island resort near Miami. It turns into a night of terror that only a handful of the class survives. Twenty-five years later, the descendants of the survivors find themselves drawn back to the resort where horror awaits. And there is horror - supernatural horror, body horror, psychological horror, and some of elements of a good old teen slasher. The social pressures of the teen years are on display as are the high school hierarchies and cliques. The book also explores love, family, and friendship, and the strain on those when ego, ambition, and survival are on the line. The characters are well-drawn. The resort itself is a character - not surprisingly considering the southern gothic nature of the novel. In the end, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable. That’s on me. I enjoy YA literature; however, I am much older and world-weary than the intended audience. I had to cut the book a break. There are also some repetitive plot points that pull the story down and some instances where the story jumps around that could be tightened up. Overall, I think this book is an entertaining piece of gothic horror that will delight its intended audience.
This is my honest review of an uncorrected ARC. The opinions here are 100% my own. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this and want to express my thanks to Courtney Gould, McMillan, and NetGalley.
This is my honest review of an uncorrected ARC. The opinions here are 100% my own. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this and want to express my thanks to Courtney Gould, McMillan, and NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 Stars 👻
There is nothing quite like this YA horror book — a page-turner where the dread is so thick you can practically feel it on the pages. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the massacre is what sets the whole nightmare in motion, and from there the tension never lets up. WOW Courtney Gould is a master of the macabre because she definitely knows how to weaponize atmosphere. Creepy, unsettling, and impossible to put down. Scary good!
Perfect to read on 10/ 13 / 2026 during 👻 Spooky Season!
Thank you Author Courtney Gould, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the ARC!
There is nothing quite like this YA horror book — a page-turner where the dread is so thick you can practically feel it on the pages. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the massacre is what sets the whole nightmare in motion, and from there the tension never lets up. WOW Courtney Gould is a master of the macabre because she definitely knows how to weaponize atmosphere. Creepy, unsettling, and impossible to put down. Scary good!
Perfect to read on 10/ 13 / 2026 during 👻 Spooky Season!
Thank you Author Courtney Gould, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book: Until the Last Light Goes Out
Author: Courtney Gould
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I want to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. I have read a few books by this author and, for the most part, have enjoyed them a lot. They are creepy, twisty, and a great fall read. You never fully know what you are going to get when you pick up one of her books. This one was no different. I was right away sucked into both the world and the idea of a resort where things go wrong.
Twenty-five years ago, one hundred and eighty-three high school students died at the remote Kaleidoscope Key resort in the Florida Keys. Five students survived, but none of them has ever said what happened that night. The mystery has remained unsolved ever since. Paige Keller is the daughter of one of those survivors. She has spent most of her life trying to stay away from the tragedy and everything connected to the abandoned resort. That changes when she is called home on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the massacre and learns that her former best friend, KJ, has disappeared. Paige knows where KJ has gone. She has returned to Kaleidoscope Key. Paige and the other survivors' children follow her to the abandoned resort, hoping to find her and finally uncover the truth about what happened years ago. Once they arrive, though, they discover the island isn't as empty as it seems. As the group becomes trapped on the island, they are forced to confront the secrets their parents have kept for decades. The mystery of Kaleidoscope Key is still waiting to be uncovered, and this time, it may not let anyone leave until the truth finally comes out.
The book opens with a mystery. Twenty-five years ago, the senior class all died without any sign of damage or distress at a resort. It was supposed to be their final moment of high school, and they were all looking forward to it. Not coming home was the last thing any of them ever expected. Flash forward, and now the children of the survivors find themselves being drawn to the Kaleidoscope and cannot get away. On top of everything else, Paige’s best friend, KJ, is gone, and she knows there is only one place that she can be. Paige and her friend group have no choice but to return to the scene of the crime. Once they reach the island, they quickly find out that it is not abandoned as they have been led to believe and, in fact, whatever is lurking there is out for blood.
This pulled me right away. Right from the start of the book, we get a sense that something is not right about this place, but like the characters, we cannot figure out just what it is. It all comes back to blood and trying to figure out what that role is. It’s a scary time as well, full of suspense and surprises. There were many times that I found myself sucked into the story, and I could not put it down. There were other times that I wasn’t. For the most part, though, the way the author wrote this story and presented everything to us made it impossible to get out of the world. Like the characters, you will find yourself being stuck in the Kaleidoscope with no way out.
Another thing I also really liked about the book was the use of the dual timelines. Now, this could very well have spoiled what happened all those years ago, but it doesn’t. It allows us to see the full scope of the plot and get a deeper understanding of what truly happened. Plus, I thought it added a whole other depth to both the creepiness of the book and explaining why our core group of characters are the way they are.
I did like Paige as a lead. She has suffered a lot. Her mother is dead, and she is dealing with that grief. There is also the whole KJ aspect too. She never wavers from her mission to find her friend and get out of there. Throughout the whole book, we see this. She is very protective of her friends and will do anything to make sure that they are okay. She has also been hurt and is dealing with her grief. She is just a very reliable character.
Overall, I did enjoy this one a lot. If you are looking for a creepy and twisty horror read, then I highly encourage you to pick this one up.
This book comes out on November 10, 2026.
Author: Courtney Gould
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I want to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. I have read a few books by this author and, for the most part, have enjoyed them a lot. They are creepy, twisty, and a great fall read. You never fully know what you are going to get when you pick up one of her books. This one was no different. I was right away sucked into both the world and the idea of a resort where things go wrong.
Twenty-five years ago, one hundred and eighty-three high school students died at the remote Kaleidoscope Key resort in the Florida Keys. Five students survived, but none of them has ever said what happened that night. The mystery has remained unsolved ever since. Paige Keller is the daughter of one of those survivors. She has spent most of her life trying to stay away from the tragedy and everything connected to the abandoned resort. That changes when she is called home on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the massacre and learns that her former best friend, KJ, has disappeared. Paige knows where KJ has gone. She has returned to Kaleidoscope Key. Paige and the other survivors' children follow her to the abandoned resort, hoping to find her and finally uncover the truth about what happened years ago. Once they arrive, though, they discover the island isn't as empty as it seems. As the group becomes trapped on the island, they are forced to confront the secrets their parents have kept for decades. The mystery of Kaleidoscope Key is still waiting to be uncovered, and this time, it may not let anyone leave until the truth finally comes out.
The book opens with a mystery. Twenty-five years ago, the senior class all died without any sign of damage or distress at a resort. It was supposed to be their final moment of high school, and they were all looking forward to it. Not coming home was the last thing any of them ever expected. Flash forward, and now the children of the survivors find themselves being drawn to the Kaleidoscope and cannot get away. On top of everything else, Paige’s best friend, KJ, is gone, and she knows there is only one place that she can be. Paige and her friend group have no choice but to return to the scene of the crime. Once they reach the island, they quickly find out that it is not abandoned as they have been led to believe and, in fact, whatever is lurking there is out for blood.
This pulled me right away. Right from the start of the book, we get a sense that something is not right about this place, but like the characters, we cannot figure out just what it is. It all comes back to blood and trying to figure out what that role is. It’s a scary time as well, full of suspense and surprises. There were many times that I found myself sucked into the story, and I could not put it down. There were other times that I wasn’t. For the most part, though, the way the author wrote this story and presented everything to us made it impossible to get out of the world. Like the characters, you will find yourself being stuck in the Kaleidoscope with no way out.
Another thing I also really liked about the book was the use of the dual timelines. Now, this could very well have spoiled what happened all those years ago, but it doesn’t. It allows us to see the full scope of the plot and get a deeper understanding of what truly happened. Plus, I thought it added a whole other depth to both the creepiness of the book and explaining why our core group of characters are the way they are.
I did like Paige as a lead. She has suffered a lot. Her mother is dead, and she is dealing with that grief. There is also the whole KJ aspect too. She never wavers from her mission to find her friend and get out of there. Throughout the whole book, we see this. She is very protective of her friends and will do anything to make sure that they are okay. She has also been hurt and is dealing with her grief. She is just a very reliable character.
Overall, I did enjoy this one a lot. If you are looking for a creepy and twisty horror read, then I highly encourage you to pick this one up.
This book comes out on November 10, 2026.
September 5, 2026
until The Last Light Goes Out by Courtney Gould, Paige has come back for the memorial of the high school students that died at the resort her mom Cassie being the last victim although she died on the island many years later but it was just as baffling. She shocked and relieved to hear that KJ didn’t show up but she soon learns it’s because she’s been missing almost a month. When her fellow survivor offspring YouTuber Caleb ask Paige to go with them back to the island so he could document it for his channel she initially says no but after the memorial in a search to find KJ she learns something the others don’t know and this is what gets her to the island she never wanted to visit Eversince page was little she dreamed of a wet woman on the island but she doesn’t know what these dreams mean nor did she want to. When her Caleb and Mateo go to the island they will find out and wish they never had. This is a good book if you pay really close attention and don’t miss everything with summer the resort the games girls play at sleepovers it all makes sense and I for one totally enjoyed it I could see how someone would be confused if you’ve ever done LSD then when you read this book you feel as if you’re having flashbacks I myself never have but that is the first thing I thought of when everything started changing changing and changing again I usually click with this author those books and I did with this one and I definitely recommended if you want an all encompassing great story and paranormal happenings then you definitely want to give this book a listen. It has everything an isolated location mysterious past deaths and a very flimsy origin story. but still absolutely worth the read. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Until the Last Light Goes Out by Courtney Gould
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Horror
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 13, 2026
Courtney Gould is shaping up to be one i have my favorite horror authors!
After the devastating massacre of the senior class of 2001, The Kaleidoscope remains abandoned. Following the subsequent death of her mother, the survivors host a memorial service for all who were lost, but KJ isn't there, and Paige is certain she knows where she went.
When I started the book, I was not sure where it was going, but once the first blood was drawn, I was hooked! I am a sucker for paranormal horror and abnormal sentient beings, so a bloodthirsty, abandoned resort was the perfect setting and beast.
The author's use of flashbacks to tell the stories of the seniors and how that fateful night went down was perfect. The visceral fear that each of them must have felt was palpable, and the betrayals were unforgettable.
I love that even after their friendship ended, Paige knew she had to find KJ. Their connection and unwavering commitment to each other was beautiful.
The pacing was perfect, the setting was wonderfully horrifying, and the twists made me want to fly through the pages just to see what happened next! If you are looking for an atmospheric horror, Until the Last Light Goes Out is a must-read!
Thank you so much Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy!
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Horror
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 13, 2026
Courtney Gould is shaping up to be one i have my favorite horror authors!
After the devastating massacre of the senior class of 2001, The Kaleidoscope remains abandoned. Following the subsequent death of her mother, the survivors host a memorial service for all who were lost, but KJ isn't there, and Paige is certain she knows where she went.
When I started the book, I was not sure where it was going, but once the first blood was drawn, I was hooked! I am a sucker for paranormal horror and abnormal sentient beings, so a bloodthirsty, abandoned resort was the perfect setting and beast.
The author's use of flashbacks to tell the stories of the seniors and how that fateful night went down was perfect. The visceral fear that each of them must have felt was palpable, and the betrayals were unforgettable.
I love that even after their friendship ended, Paige knew she had to find KJ. Their connection and unwavering commitment to each other was beautiful.
The pacing was perfect, the setting was wonderfully horrifying, and the twists made me want to fly through the pages just to see what happened next! If you are looking for an atmospheric horror, Until the Last Light Goes Out is a must-read!
Thank you so much Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy!
September 26, 2026
Just when I think YA may not be for me, Courtney Gould comes around with some queer horror that gives me something unique and thrilling. And although Until the Last Light Goes Out was a bit of a slow burn as far as pacing goes, it still kept me intrigued with the bizarre yet horrifying locked room setting.
The story begins with the 25th anniversary of the infamous Kaleidoscope Key Massacre. We are introduced to the few survivors that fear the place they lost their peers and the family members of the survivors that are drawn to it. They all have connections and most want nothing to do it. But there are still questions and some of the teens are obsessing over it. And once one of the teens goes missing after visiting the KK, that brings back Paige, the daughter of one of the original survivors that still lost her mother. And so begins another trip to the resort where it all began and the teens are wondering how they can leave the place that doesn't want to let them go.
While this story was twisted, the locked room feel had me feeling all sorts of claustrophobic. It reminded me of visiting the Upside Down (hello Stranger Things). I didn't know which way was which, but I knew something messed up was happening. Plus, getting both past characters' POV (Paige's mother) along with the present had me trying to keep everything straight. We get just enough of the past to wonder what the heck is happening at Kaleidoscope Key and how is it taking people's lives.
I don't want to give too much away, but this story was just the right amount of messed up for me. From the characters, to the setting, to the past, everything became such an integral part of the story and how the teens were going to get their answers and hopefully come out on the otherside themselves. And while I did find the beginning a bit too slow, the story all came together in a cohesive way. Definitely a book to read during the spooky season.
The story begins with the 25th anniversary of the infamous Kaleidoscope Key Massacre. We are introduced to the few survivors that fear the place they lost their peers and the family members of the survivors that are drawn to it. They all have connections and most want nothing to do it. But there are still questions and some of the teens are obsessing over it. And once one of the teens goes missing after visiting the KK, that brings back Paige, the daughter of one of the original survivors that still lost her mother. And so begins another trip to the resort where it all began and the teens are wondering how they can leave the place that doesn't want to let them go.
While this story was twisted, the locked room feel had me feeling all sorts of claustrophobic. It reminded me of visiting the Upside Down (hello Stranger Things). I didn't know which way was which, but I knew something messed up was happening. Plus, getting both past characters' POV (Paige's mother) along with the present had me trying to keep everything straight. We get just enough of the past to wonder what the heck is happening at Kaleidoscope Key and how is it taking people's lives.
I don't want to give too much away, but this story was just the right amount of messed up for me. From the characters, to the setting, to the past, everything became such an integral part of the story and how the teens were going to get their answers and hopefully come out on the otherside themselves. And while I did find the beginning a bit too slow, the story all came together in a cohesive way. Definitely a book to read during the spooky season.
August 16, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley .
2.25⭐️
Honestly I loved the idea of this so much more than the execution. For the most part I was just confused and couldn’t keep track of characters and whose kid is who and what timeline we are in or which reality. If you don’t have a hard time understanding concepts and are looking for a unique idea, I think this could work for you.
Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this.
2.25⭐️
Honestly I loved the idea of this so much more than the execution. For the most part I was just confused and couldn’t keep track of characters and whose kid is who and what timeline we are in or which reality. If you don’t have a hard time understanding concepts and are looking for a unique idea, I think this could work for you.
Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Crazy addictive! Could not get enough of this, but also couldn't read before bed because it was spooky! 😂
Full review to come
Full review to come
May 6, 2026
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 :)
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 :)
May 2, 2026
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.
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.
April 25, 2026
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an excerpt in exchange for my honest review.
Kaleidoscope Key is an resort on a island that a high school group went to for celebration of their graduation which has caused the deaths of over 20 students and took the life of the main character, Paige's mother. There is a long-standing mystery behind this massacre as even the survivors never spoke of what had happened inside that Paige wants to escape from; which she does until the 25th anniversary which she is invited to. After coming back into Miami, she discovers that KJ, her ex-girlfriend and ex-best friend, has disappeared about one month ago; so she gathers two of her friends to come find her. On the other side of this story, we get to see Casey, Paige's mother, Tess, KJ's mother and Summer (as well as others) who were in this massacre 25 years ago and you get to see the events unfolding in their perspectives.
Courtney Gould's writing always surprises me considering for the most part, I have found I have grown out of the YA genre and cannot read very many new books unless if it is an author I trust and love; and Gould is one of those authors. She is able to tell a story with horror elements into a YA genre extremely well and find myself completely wrapped into each universe she tells in each of her books. Additionally, the way she conveys her romance is always enjoyable and with this, all of this continues with this.
Paige and KJ's relationship is interesting because their relationship fell apart purely due to this resort, KJ has an obsession over it meanwhile Paige wants nothing but the Kaleidoscope to be remembered by nobody. Along the book you see their friendship start to bond again and as we discover through the two friends, Mateo and Caleb that Paige brought along, we get more insight into their relationship as friends and even as girlfriends. The most interesting relationship in this all; is KJ and Tess. Gould consistently has some sort of story involving a mother and her daughter but this is the most explicit and most interesting out of all of her books. I actually wished we got to see more of it, even if it was sprinkled in throughout the book.
I enjoyed seeing the characters in the massacre, the glimpses of what had happened in this massacre, especially Summer (you deserved the whole world and more). There is an eeriness that follows them in the Kaleidoscope until the very end and with some of them, this resort changes them entirely making choices that you didn't imagine them making whatsoever. I love the horror aspects of this and the lack of detail in some parts adds to this but there were other parts I wish there was even More detail on as I believe it could have added to it even more. But I also understand this is YA which for horror, sometimes can be restricting at parts and other times, that restricting factor is an advantage (which I find is actually one of the most enjoyable parts of Gould's writing).
If you have read any of Gould's books, you will very likely enjoy this just as much, and even if you haven't, I would suggest so as her stories are a joy to read. Most importantly, all of her main characters are lesbians which I love each and every time.
Kaleidoscope Key is an resort on a island that a high school group went to for celebration of their graduation which has caused the deaths of over 20 students and took the life of the main character, Paige's mother. There is a long-standing mystery behind this massacre as even the survivors never spoke of what had happened inside that Paige wants to escape from; which she does until the 25th anniversary which she is invited to. After coming back into Miami, she discovers that KJ, her ex-girlfriend and ex-best friend, has disappeared about one month ago; so she gathers two of her friends to come find her. On the other side of this story, we get to see Casey, Paige's mother, Tess, KJ's mother and Summer (as well as others) who were in this massacre 25 years ago and you get to see the events unfolding in their perspectives.
Courtney Gould's writing always surprises me considering for the most part, I have found I have grown out of the YA genre and cannot read very many new books unless if it is an author I trust and love; and Gould is one of those authors. She is able to tell a story with horror elements into a YA genre extremely well and find myself completely wrapped into each universe she tells in each of her books. Additionally, the way she conveys her romance is always enjoyable and with this, all of this continues with this.
Paige and KJ's relationship is interesting because their relationship fell apart purely due to this resort, KJ has an obsession over it meanwhile Paige wants nothing but the Kaleidoscope to be remembered by nobody. Along the book you see their friendship start to bond again and as we discover through the two friends, Mateo and Caleb that Paige brought along, we get more insight into their relationship as friends and even as girlfriends. The most interesting relationship in this all; is KJ and Tess. Gould consistently has some sort of story involving a mother and her daughter but this is the most explicit and most interesting out of all of her books. I actually wished we got to see more of it, even if it was sprinkled in throughout the book.
I enjoyed seeing the characters in the massacre, the glimpses of what had happened in this massacre, especially Summer (you deserved the whole world and more). There is an eeriness that follows them in the Kaleidoscope until the very end and with some of them, this resort changes them entirely making choices that you didn't imagine them making whatsoever. I love the horror aspects of this and the lack of detail in some parts adds to this but there were other parts I wish there was even More detail on as I believe it could have added to it even more. But I also understand this is YA which for horror, sometimes can be restricting at parts and other times, that restricting factor is an advantage (which I find is actually one of the most enjoyable parts of Gould's writing).
If you have read any of Gould's books, you will very likely enjoy this just as much, and even if you haven't, I would suggest so as her stories are a joy to read. Most importantly, all of her main characters are lesbians which I love each and every time.
October 4, 2026
This book had a really good premise, thanks to which some really creepy scenes came up in the first half of the story. The problem arose when the same kind of creepy scenes kept coming up, till they were no longer creepy at all! Especially during the latter half of the book, I felt the plot slowly collapsing upon itself: the story became extremely complicated and confusing, and too many characters appeared out of (literally) nowhere. For a supernatural survival horror tale, the pacing proved to be rather annoyingly unbalanced, driving the story all over the place, a real mess, perhaps one meant to reflect the highly disorienting experience people undergo in the resort. But for me it didn't work all that well as fiction: I had to backtrack a lot; keeping score of who was doing what was quite distracting; and disentangling the different times each character spent on the island made it difficult for me to concentrate on the admittedly serious matters the author meant to raise. The very strong slasher vives didn't help either, since this isn't a slasher: the two layered narrative crosses itself far too often for the story to provide as solid and simple a story as slashers normally tell. Add to this the fact that the haunting follows no rules, plus there are plenty of unreliable narrators as well, it's no wonder I got lost, and had to struggle to reach the end. Unfortunately, there's very little payoff, considering how important certain of the main characters' decisions were thought to be in the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/First Ink for the free copy, all opinions are of course my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/First Ink for the free copy, all opinions are of course my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars
I'm a long-time fan of Courtney Gould's books and love how sinister and creepy they usually are. They often tend to be character-driven, which is a particular favorite element of mine. There are aspects of this read I really enjoyed, but there are also ways in which this fell a little off track for me.
25 years ago, almost 200 high school students went to a resort in the Florida Keys, which is sort of a wild premise to begin with. What gets weirder is that most of them die there. Interestingly, five people survive, and some of their children just can't stay away from the strange scene of their parents'/elders' trauma.
My favorite part of this book is the way the gothic elements evolve. That was a great time. But overall, this felt too drawn out. The pay off was not what I'd hoped for exactly.
This is a read I'll definitely recommend to fans of the author, fans of YA horror, and those who like a little creepiness with their sense of place.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Libro.fm for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm a long-time fan of Courtney Gould's books and love how sinister and creepy they usually are. They often tend to be character-driven, which is a particular favorite element of mine. There are aspects of this read I really enjoyed, but there are also ways in which this fell a little off track for me.
25 years ago, almost 200 high school students went to a resort in the Florida Keys, which is sort of a wild premise to begin with. What gets weirder is that most of them die there. Interestingly, five people survive, and some of their children just can't stay away from the strange scene of their parents'/elders' trauma.
My favorite part of this book is the way the gothic elements evolve. That was a great time. But overall, this felt too drawn out. The pay off was not what I'd hoped for exactly.
This is a read I'll definitely recommend to fans of the author, fans of YA horror, and those who like a little creepiness with their sense of place.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Libro.fm for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
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