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Soul of a Psycho: A Dark Academia Romance

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I am the monster they warned her about.
The morally black soul who walks these opulent halls with a plan that ends in blood and fire.
They called me a psychopath and locked me away, but Briarcreek didn't break me, it perfected me.
Now, all that rage, all that focus, has been derailed by a girl with golden hair and doe eyes.
Sky Lyons is my weakness and my obsession. She is the angel I crave, and I watch her, waiting for the moment she realizes the devil is holding her hand. She’s drawn to the darkness that seeps from my skin, seeking shelter from the past that haunts her. But my shelter is a cage. She thinks I’m her salvation. She’s tragically wrong. I’m her beautiful damnation. And I will consume every innocent piece of her before my inevitable end.
I don’t just want her, I want to be the reason she can never go back. I want her heart beating for me right up until the moment it stops.


I came to this prison school escaping one monster, only to find another draped in black and malice. Cade Haven is everything tattooed, pierced, and harboring a darkness so immense it should shatter me. Everyone whispered warnings—he was institutionalized, he’s a killer—but his possession feels like the only freedom I’ve ever known.
In the chaos that surrounds him, my past trauma softens. He sees the filth I try to hide, and instead of shrinking away, he stitches me back together. He calls himself my worst nightmare, but if that’s true, then how come I don’t want to wake up? He keeps secrets, hides his face, and stalks the shadows, but when he demands my surrender, I obey. I would follow him anywhere, even hell.
He is my dangerous fix. And if loving him means losing my soul, I’ll eagerly let him take it.

Soul of a Psycho is a spicy dark contemporary romance with elements of dark academia and masked stalker. It is intended for 18 + and has sensitive themes. Please check the trigger warning in the front of the book before reading.

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

886 people are currently reading
3964 people want to read

About the author

Gigi Meadows

2 books74 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,622 reviews10.9k followers
October 18, 2024
pi-Zap-8 '𝐒O𝐔L O𝐅 𝐀 𝐏S𝐘C𝐇O' Is a full length A Dark Academia Romance book by new to me author Gigi Meadows..Cade & Sky

Ok whoever tagged me and recommended this book to me had better run because I'm coming for you..Joking..Or Not..

This pulled me in straight away, pushing me on a path which I was sure was straight and narrow until it got all twisty and I was pulled down a rabbit hole of do I want her to save him or send him straight to hell..One word BOBBY!#! The puppy dog boy who followed him everywhere who I felt sorry for stepped into the devils lair and lights out. So many twists and turns came at me out of nowhere and I was along for the ride, a ride I couldn't get off of if I wanted to finish this book, I really loved the alternative ending too..You got to choose, happy or not so happy..
Profile Image for Kosha.
114 reviews
January 2, 2025
The FMC is so stupid and pick me like “he’s so dark and twisty but I can change him.” And also Cade is so stupid like why wtf are u blowing up 400 ppl ur angst isn’t that bad. AND HE FUCKING KILLED BOBBY, THE ONLY GOOD CHARACTER. I hated everyone in this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ♡.
7 reviews
October 10, 2024
*4.5*
*please be aware that this book is set in high school*

This book came to me at the right time. I absolutely ATE it up. The characters were flawed and honest. The story itself was an interesting ride too. Especially so the farther you fall down the rabbit hole.
It took a little while for a plot to fully form, and I think the strength of this book is well within the characters, their relationships and dynamics. The other major strength of this book lies in its emotional grasp. I was on the rollercoaster.

Character-driven stories are my bread and butter.
Here’s the thing though, this story and these characters are TOXIC. The book is marketed this way, so don’t go into thinking you’re going to be reading about perfect relationships, characters or situations. It’s raw and gritty and I was here for it. I will be a filthy dark romance girly for life.


Cade
This man. Wow. I’m obsessed with his obsession with Sky. Some of his POVs and scenes were intense and I could sincerely feel his desperation. His inner conflict was believable because of this. He has very strong moral convictions, and somehow Sky turns his whole world upside down and makes him question himself. I thought his inner monologues about death were thought-provoking. I think about these things too often. His descent into madness was wild, to say the least.

Sky
I loved her! She was a sweet breath of fresh air, it was nice to see something a little different in a FMC. I was living for her equal obsession with him. She could be so relatable to some, including me. The trauma she works through in this story is something too many women can relate to (not a spoiler, listed in trigger warnings) and there were definitely accuracies that made me feel so deeply for her and her situation.



“The wind howls outside, sending the candles into a flicker, and leaves drift from the roof. It’s an omen. I feel it in my chest […] like a warning from God himself, a wrathful portent to not touch one of his angels.”
- Cade



I would recommend this for the dark romance lovers.
You know who you are.
If you are triggered by mass school crime then I might avoid this one, and definitely avoid the alternate ending.

Thank you so genuinely for allowing me the opportunity to ARC review this story.




*side note - the alternate ending destroyed me in every way possible, so no thank you for that. *
Profile Image for THE PETITE LIBR☆RY.
555 reviews28 followers
January 11, 2025
I fear for all of ya’ll when you romanticize a straight up SCHOOL BOMBER talking about killing his gf for MONTHS good grief ya’ll need Jesus and a hug


This was truly awful and I think the only thing that could have saved it would have been an ending where Cade gets the mental and emotional help he so desperately needs

Aside from the glaringly obvious, it also had continuity issues and many many many issues with semantics. The author misused so many random words!!! For example, she used recon instead of damage control, capture instead of captor, patients instead of patience, sow instead of sew, sunk in instead of sunken, resume instead of exhume. She also used Ms. Lane and Ms. Fawn interchangeably as the name of the extra social studies teacher.
Profile Image for Jeiny.
169 reviews
December 4, 2024
Dude I have no idea how I feel about this. Once Bobby died I was against the MMC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samantha ☾⋆.
77 reviews14 followers
September 1, 2025
FUCK! This was dark I won’t deny but at the same time I’m obsessed! This one took me a good while but don’t let that fool you it’s an amazing I was just way to busy to be able to give the book the attention and time I was dying to give it! Part of me wants more but I think this being the ending is perfect although they have an alternative ending you can get for free through the authors site as well if you wanted. Me though, I’m leaving it right where it is!
Profile Image for eliz.
216 reviews42 followers
March 23, 2025
[dnf @ 45%]

what in the fresh hell is this actually
Profile Image for Nyx.
15 reviews
January 11, 2025
This was kinda psychotic. 3.7 stars

This was so very psychotic. I stayed up til 4 in the morning reading this.

SPOILER!!!




I so wanted a different ending. One where Mr Crazy left Bobby alone, and where he gave into Sky before graduation happened. I wanted an ending where Callie and Bobby stayed together, an ending where Cade didn't go through with his plans, and Sky didn't hide a murderer.
I didn't like the ending. I wanted a different one. But I enjoyed the story. It definitely had me hooked.
Profile Image for Mia.
1 review
December 26, 2024
Killed Bobby. 1 star
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Catie.
153 reviews
October 14, 2024
An ARC was provided to me by the author in for an honest and voluntary review. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions and are not affiliated with the viewpoint of the author. Please note that this review may contain spoilers. So reader discretion is advised. As always, be aware of your own personal triggers.


Gigi Meadows’ novel Soul of a Psycho is a nonstop thrill ride. You’ll dread every moment you put the book down but internally squealing in delight as you read. Each word and every sentence is placed in this heightens the story. You won’t see what’s coming next.

Sky arrives at Hillcrest Academy after her father sends her away. Despite the tragedy she endured, her father considers her an embarrassment. When she arrives, she catches the attention of Cade, the school outcast and resident sociopath. The darkness that surrounds him permeates the walls and secrets seem to follow him wherever he goes. Sky digs deep into Cade’s soul, making him reconsider everything he’s ever known. Sky and Cade are the only ones who truly see each other for who they really are. But Cade is hiding a dark secret, one that could result in tragedy for everyone. But when the time comes and Cade continues to become unraveled, Sky knows she has to act fast. But, will her love for Cade supersede his desperate act of revenge or will the world be lost to Cade’s wrath?


There aren’t enough words to explain my own experience with this book. I couldn’t believe how many twists and turns were involved in the story. There were so many unexpected moments in this book that I couldn’t have possibly seen coming. The characters are so vivid and real… you feel like you’re walking the hallways of Hillcrest Academy and seeing the story unfold right in front of you. Each character has a very unique and specific purpose in this story that makes it impossible to pick which one is my favorite. I just can’t get this book out of my head. I felt so invested in it and I was so sad when it ended. There is just something so masterful about this book that it feels like you’ll feel the story deep within your bones. Their story is intoxicating and will make you rethink the limits of love.


Just an FYI: there is an alternate ending that you should definitely check out.


Overall: ★★★★★

Spice: ★★★★/5

Storyline: ★★★★★

Characters: ★★★★★

Likelihood to Recommend:★★★★★


Profile Image for mistress of the bookverse.
87 reviews
December 1, 2024
I’m not sure how I feel about this. Admittedly I hadn’t picked up on the similarities between
This and the 1980’s movie Heathers. The new girl at high schools gets mixed up with the brokenly disturbed bad boy who plans to get his revenge on all those that wronged him by blowing up the high school on graduation day.

Cades character is beautifully well written. He’s dark but not emotionless, he’s drowning in his own pain. And his plan is his salvation until Sky comes along. But skys character I don’t like, she is weak minded, co-dependant and lacks any backbone. She can’t see past her obsession, and let’s be honest that’s what it is. The biggest problem for me, isn’t the plan Cade has for graduation it’s Bobby. That was the tipping point where he became unredeemable. And that’s when the author lost me. A lot of red flags can be forgiven in a morally grey MMC book, and I’ve read books where the MMC has killed people before and even without remorse. But to kill a boy, a boy that was kind, sweet, falling in love with a girl for the first time and was his only friend. That was too much, it was a line that he crossed where he isn’t just morally gray anymore. And then they fled to another country? How will that work exactly considering it won’t be difficult for authorities to figure out who did it, and where they’ve gone. And last I checked, Japan was an extradition country.

I’m somewhat disappointed in how this played out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelly.
132 reviews13 followers
November 19, 2024
“It’s bad enough I’m going to take your soul, and now I’m soiling your wings.”

This book GUTTED me 😭. This is my TOP read of 2024! It had great spice 🌶️, but the story/emotional trauma of it took it to the next level. Loved this so much, I immediately bought a hard cover version for my little library once I finished the book 😌.

“I told you, I love you, Cade. No matter what. Even if we have to die for you to realize it.”

& then Cade ends it all with this 😌
“I may not have gotten my revenge, but I sure as fuck got yours.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for jade ⋆₊˚ ᰔ.
111 reviews6 followers
October 16, 2025
to everyone who rated this highly: therapy is available and often covered by insurance
Profile Image for elle♡.
153 reviews4 followers
April 16, 2025
2.75⭐ pero de panzazo


No sé por dónde empezar... este libro siento que lo leí rápido pero al mismo tiempo siento que estuvo muy pesado de leer porque ABSOLUTAMENTE nada pasa en los 70 capítulos, hay muchos capítulos de relleno y que no aportan nada a la trama.

Hay muchas inconsistencias y plots que nunca llegan a nada, los plotwist no dieron lo que debían dar.

Los personajes son muy mid no hay nada en lo que sobresalgan, La relación entre Cade y Sky sinceramente me agotaba me ponía en los zapatos de ella y de solo pensar en tratar a alguien como Cade me drenaba la energía, hay que saber que uno no puede arreglar a las personas, y que tanto puedes amarlo para poner en riesgo la vida de 400 personas inocentes... no sé chécate o algo, Cade pertenecía a un instituto mental, andaba muy mal de la cabeza.

Y que onda con la única muerte?? INNECESARIA se murió el único personaje que no merecía morir, pobre Bobby era tan bueno e inocente, estuvo súper random que lo matará, factor sorpresa? mmmm más bien quería tener un efecto shock pero no le salió.

El Final estuvo súper rápido y nomás explico ciertas cosas por encima.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sam Naranjo.
27 reviews4 followers
October 16, 2024
When I tell you I 👏🏼 ATE 👏🏼 THIS 👏🏼 BOOK 👏🏼 UP. Although the characters are in high school, it’s easy to imagine them as college students because of the way it is written. The author did an amazing job of having me at the edge of my seat, as there were continuous unexpected reveals throughout the book.

Cade is so passionate and obsessed with Sky, that you can just FEEL his emotions coming off the page. His never ending internal emotional rollercoaster is a ride that I enjoyed being on from beginning to end. He’s twisted for sure, and you can’t help but love him even though you know you shouldn’t.

I love that Sky wasn’t the typical naive, good girl that drives you crazy while reading her character. She acted like a young woman would in the situations she was put in, and she knew when to stand her ground in the moments that mattered.

As I was reading the last chapter, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if it would’ve gone the other way— so I was THRILLED when I saw the author made an alternate ending for the book. It was nice to not have to wonder and I found myself satisfied with both endings. This definitely is one of my favorite reads this year!

Please make sure to read trigger warnings 🩷
Profile Image for Becca.
427 reviews79 followers
October 24, 2024
Dark Academia. One of my top favorite tropes! This story was on fire! 🔥 I was sucked in and couldn't get out. I'm not complaining.

All of the characters were great! Obsessed, psycho MMC are my thing. Who doesn't love that!? Of course our sweet and shy FMC compliments it perfectly.

Make sure you read your trigger warnings! This was a phenomenal read and well written. I love a plot focused read and this was everything!

Thank you for allowing me an ARC for an honest review!
Profile Image for Viktimka.
115 reviews7 followers
October 13, 2024
So, high school romance is something I usually avoid, but I’m glad I’ve read this one.
Some parts hit so close to home and made memory come back that reading it felt almost personal.
Book is raw, check tw and if you decide to read it, enjoy the ride.
Profile Image for Ashly.
438 reviews27 followers
October 13, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ (Spice is subjective, there was spice but it was not spicy)
🖤CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS🖤

Phew, I do not normally read books set in HS but I’m really glad that I did because this book was really stellar in the most depraved way. The book is dark, the subject matter is dark, but the writing was seamless in a way that it made you feel like you were living the tragedy along with the MC’s. It brought me back to HS for better or worse and I could see how this exact scenario could happen based on the events leading up to the faithful climax. I don’t want to give anything away, because really you just need to read this book.

Full disclosure, I also read the alternative ending (cause I’m nosey and can’t let things be) and it honestly gutted me….im glad I know both endings, but I like the ending that was chosen for the book cause it hurts my heart less. Cade and Sky together is all I ever want in life or death.
Profile Image for F ౨ৎ .
225 reviews
May 6, 2025
haven’t gotten pissed off by a book in a while.
Profile Image for lex.
13 reviews
August 7, 2025
those who know me know I can’t DNF but holy that was AWFUL
15 reviews
October 24, 2025
I forced myself through this whole book and I swear i did not hate it at first, but when he killed Bobby, I was just so fucking mad I couldn’t keep reading it
Yeah, I get that he is a psycho, but this was just so bad. Instead of getting a character development, the character just kept fucking up and destroying everything. Just reading this book made me agitated. I don’t even know what to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Booze Boobs Books.
666 reviews
October 9, 2024
Once I got into this story I just had to know what was going to happen next. Sky is at boarding school for her senior year after being banished by her overbearing father. Cade is the outcast just trying to go unnoticed - that is until he meets Sky. She manages to flip his entire world upside down in ways he could never imagine. In the end will his darkness take over her, or will her goodness finally win him over?? A dark academia romance with some interesting twists and turns that I really enjoyed.
Profile Image for Danielle stories_and_coffee_.
243 reviews5 followers
January 9, 2025
Ugh it had such potential, I wanted to love it.

This is the second book I've read by this author, and just like the other I really wanted to like it, I did for the most part until the end. The ending feels rushed and open ended, like there were things left to be said still. There were a few grammar and spelling mistakes as well, but over all it's an interesting plot line, especially for Tate Langdon lovers, it just could be fleshed out better both story-wise and romance-wise.
Profile Image for M.
21 reviews
June 21, 2025
I absolutely loved this book so much. It was one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. The plot, the tension, the love story, the writing, everything about this book clung on to me. I need this in my embedded into my skin 🥹
Profile Image for Aja L..
48 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2025
Oml here we go TRIGGER WARING VEIWER DISCRETION ADVISED for some of this

This book was....so unhinged! Overall this book was 5 stars, great plot great writing ,great romance. Everything was great

1 thing I hated was not seeing anymore of the things cade went through because what he planned to do felt a little but much for what happened to him. Although I do understand we're he's coming from.I actually Still want to sob at the only person who had to die 😭😭 but it's fine guys I'll get over it! Sky was a great character tbh but sometimes....sometimes I was questioning my girl I get it she loves cade but baby... she found out everything he was gonna do and did AND STILLLL loved him. She is the definition of loving someone even after life and willing to die for the ones you love.the train track scene broke me so much I cannot. "I told you I love you cade.no matter what .even if we have to die for you to see it " !!!!! Screaming and kicking me feet in a love hate relationship way. I just feel so bad for cade and sky honestly. The obsession with her being an angel really makes sense as you get into the book.it was hard at first to start the book but like 5 pages in I was hooked .so many good plot twists in the book that you. Seriously couldn't expect as well as some you could but it was meant to be that way it feels like

"I'll meet you at the graveyard "- cade

"How could I hate you when you just saved my
Soul"-cade

"I may not have gotten my revenge but I sure as f*ck got yours "- cade

So anyways overall this book was amazing. 1 thing to remember is this book had SERIOUS trigger warnings for self h*rm s*icide mass murder blood kinks r*pe(not from cade guys ).so be warned it is a little much and reading Cades pov definitely takes some metal power to stay in touch with reality but if you can handle it then this books was great
Profile Image for Gwen Shafer.
2,200 reviews39 followers
October 24, 2024
Where do I even begin with this one? This was not at all what I was expecting. This storyline was so much more than I could ever have imagined it being after reading the blurb. Cade is different and unique. He has some major demons that he is dealing with on a daily basis. But then Sky walks into his life and changes his complete way of thinking. You can easily feel every single emotion that Cade has for Sky. It is so well written throughout the book that you know exactly what she is doing to him. Cade has a plan for and will do everything and anything to make that plan happened. But will Sky be able to change his mind? I literally read this in one setting. It was intense, gripping, challenging, shocking, loving and heartbreaking all at the same time. You cannot properly prepare yourself for what happens in this storyline.
Gigi Meadows is a new author to me. Let me tell you I will literally grab and read any and every book she writes if it is anything like this one.

My favorite quote from this storyline that will forever be in my head.
What we did was not a Kiss. It was Damnation. My flesh was stripped from my body and my soul was revealed.

Highly recommend reading this one. It is a spicy dark contemporary romance with elements of dark academia and masked stalker. There are triggers that may occur while reading this.
264 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2025
I read this because so many people who liked one of my favorites from last year (limerence. Read it!) also liked this one. But it didn’t live up to the hype.

I love psycho heroes, but Cade wasn’t really a psychopath. He showed too much remorse for his actions and was constantly worried that he wasn’t doing the right thing. He was just a deeply traumatized, possibly manic or schizophrenic, teenager. Who worked in an ice cream shop, apparently. So many random little threads like that in this book that never go anywhere interesting.

If anybody was a psychopath i think it was Sky. Was that intentional? I’m pretty sure the book title was about Cade. But Sky so calmly leaned into her love for the guy building bombs in a shack in the woods. No second thoughts, just heart eyes. For that, i almost bumped this up a star, but something about the setting and Cade just didn’t work for me. Sky was a bright spot.

Oh, and the “twist” was so obvious. I knew who the skull stalker was right away. So much so that i was actually disappointed at the official reveal. I was hoping to be surprised. But nope.

And the Bobby thing… that was a head scratcher. I’m not sure even the author knew why he was there. And so undeveloped as a character. One of those loose ends/threads. Was it just so Cade could freak out at something? Why not his mother? Eh. Again, just didn’t work.
1 review
October 29, 2025
Okay so this is a hard book to review. For the most part, I really enjoyed it, especially the inner dialogue and emotional chaos of Cade. His mindset and actions are completely unhinged and morally questionable, but that’s exactly what makes him such a compelling character. It’s a dark romance about a psycho, and the author did a great job capturing that intensity.

That said, the instant attachment between Cade and Sky felt a bit rushed. Their connection could’ve used more buildup to feel believable. Sky also came across as a little shallow in some parts, which made it harder to connect with her.

I liked the overall pacing and storyline, but one particular character’s death felt COMPLETLY UNNECESSARY. It shifted Cade from being the most fascinating part of the book to the most frustrating/hated. The final chapters also felt rushed and unfinished, several side plots were left hanging (what actually happened to Bobby? was Cade in a skull form pill indused state or was it a concious decision and why? did they find him? did callie find out? did the bears make it to the people they were supposed to? how are the mothers of the mc's doing after they fled?) which made the ending feel unsatisfying to say the least.

All in all, I don’t regret reading it. I enjoyed most of the journey, but it definitely had its flaws and could’ve used a stronger ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rheanan Gallegos.
63 reviews4 followers
October 14, 2024
Let me start this by saying this book is in the top 5 books I’ve read this year!

I ate this book up so fast it’s not even funny.
Dark academia is one of my fave troupes.

While it is set in high school, which I’m not a fan of, I was not reminded of it constantly which made the book readable. When referring to “graduation” I kept veering toward college.

The characters in this book were amazing! While we all love a psycho, obsessed MMC, it’s usually coupled with a timid, sweet FMC. While Sky presents as very timid and a “good girl” we slowly see her come out of her shell and become who she truly is.

We see her fight for what she wants and who she wants.


Cade is the textbook dark haired drool worthy bad boy. With tattoos, a lip ring, and a fuck the world attitude he makes us all love him almost instantly. Couple that with the crazy/psycho tendencies and we were all doomed from the start.

Where I think this book differed and really stood out to me was Sky even tho she knew it was wrong was willing to damn herself to show unconditional love where it was never shown before. There were twists, turns, flips, and twists and I enjoyed every second of it.

READ THIS BOOK!
No seriously, read the book! 🧡
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