Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Northrup’s book is engaging and accessible. It provides straightforward information, wise insights, immeasurable comfort and overdue validation to empaths, sensitives and intuitives, who are often plagued repeatedly by the “energy vampires” in their lives and wonder why. An “energy vampire” evokes to mind either a charming, stealthy predator or annoying acquaintance who constantly monopolizes your valuable time and saps your energy reserves. What Northrop is really referring to are character-disordered individuals on the personality disorders spectrum, re: narcissism, borderline personality disorder, sociopathy and psychopathy. Depending on where a person falls on the spectrum, a “vampire” can be self-absorbed, critical, manipulative, devious or devoid of empathy or a conscience. The strength of Northrup’s book is that it provides the reader with the confirmation that they have long-suspected to be true, that giving, open-hearted people are often the unwitting targets of these dark, relentless perpetrators. Northrup combines solid research and personal examples that demonstrate the unhealthy dynamic that exists between highly sensitive people and these covert manipulators with ulterior motives. Most importantly, the book explains how to remove or limit the exposure to these toxic people and establish stronger boundaries. Additionally, Northrup explores the link between the psychological warfare inflicted by these individuals and the development of subsequent physical illness. This is an instantly absorbing read, that will particularly resonate with anyone who has encountered one of these disturbing souls. My only criticism is that the term “vampire” tends to dilute the seriousness of these truly dangerous people. While it is apt and accurate that they can indeed siphon the life energy and resources from their victims, it cannot be overstated how much of a genuine and ominous threat these individuals can potentially pose. A great read.