The Lion & The Narcissist is a piercing and powerful memoir by Katherine Tsiampas that details her experience in a relationship with a man she later identifies as a narcissist. Drawing rich metaphors between narcissistic abuse and the predatory nature of lions, Tsiampas leads readers through a gripping personal journey of emotional manipulation, psychological trauma, spiritual resilience, and, ultimately, self-liberation. With a voice both fierce and vulnerable, she unpacks the psychological patterns of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and how these patterns infiltrated every corner of her life, faith, and identity.

Tsiampas compares narcissists to lions—majestic on the outside, deadly beneath the surface. The way she sets the tone early makes it clear this isn’t just about psychology—it’s about survival. I couldn’t stop reading. The writing is intense and deeply poetic. Sometimes, it felt like I was holding my breath.

Tsiampas’s honesty is brutal in the best way. When she shared the moment she realized she was prey—emotionally vulnerable after a breakup, working tirelessly, raising two kids, and still blind to the danger—I felt that deep in my gut. “To the narcissist, all this…made me the prey he perceived would never fight back”​. Her self-awareness, especially in hindsight, is admirable. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything, even her own compliance. I found myself nodding, sometimes crying, especially when she describes how easily charm, flattery, and attention can seduce someone who just wants to be seen and loved.

What stayed with me the most was how she frames narcissistic abuse as not only psychological warfare but also a spiritual battle. Her faith is woven throughout the story—not preachy, but personal and grounding. She talks about God as her anchor, the Holy Spirit guiding her, and the voice that told her to “Get up.” There’s something powerful in watching someone reclaim not just their sense of self but their sacred worth. I needed that reminder. Her description of the discard phase, when the narcissist leaves his victim completely shattered, is absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying.

The Lion & The Narcissist is a wake-up call and a guide for anyone who’s ever found themselves lost in a relationship that felt too good to be true and then turned into a nightmare. I would recommend this book to women who are healing from emotional abuse, to therapists seeking firsthand insight, and to anyone who needs to remember that they are not alone. It’s especially powerful for women of faith who have been taught to endure silently. Katherine Tsiampas reminds us that God doesn’t ask us to stay with predators. He asks us to get up. And fight. And survive.

Pages: 270 | ASIN : B0961NPXZ7