Thank you Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing and Lena Sisco for the audio Arc of The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology.
Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya.

The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology is a great, informative, non fiction book that introduces the audience to the dark side of humanity. The first 1/3 concentrates on what Dark psychology and toxic traits ( which we can all be guilty from from time to time ) Throughout the rest of the book, we have examples of real people dealing with people who have used Dark Psychology. The last 1/3 of the book surrounding healing processes and how we can protect ourselves from Dark Psychology. The book itself seemed to flow. very well and our narrator, Lena Sisco kept the interest in her voice as well as engaging

Even though I have dabbled into researching Psychology in the past due to my unfortunate exposure to these types of people, I still learnt a few things by listening to this book and that's always a bonus!

4 stars

“The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology” by Lena Sisco, narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, it’s a genuinely eye-opening resource. As someone who's always been interested in understanding human behaviour—especially when it comes to manipulation and deception—this book offered a fresh perspective rooted in practical psychology and real-world insights.
What resonated most with me was how Sisco, drawing from her impressive background as a military interrogator and intelligence officer, breaks down complex tactics into understandable “power moves.” It’s one thing to read about manipulation in theory, but she provides concrete examples and signs to watch for, which makes the content incredibly actionable. Whether dealing with a manipulative boss, a toxic friend, or even trying to spot red flags early in a new relationship, I found myself more equipped to recognise harmful patterns.
Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration is smooth and confident, adding a level of authority and clarity that kept me engaged throughout. Her tone makes the material accessible, which is perfect because some of these topics can feel dense or intimidating.
I appreciated how the book emphasises protection and awareness without glorifying manipulation. Sisco’s approach is balanced; she explains the tactics clearly but also stresses the importance of self-awareness and boundaries. That said, I did wish some sections delved a little deeper—certain power moves felt a bit surface-level, and I would have loved more case studies or detailed scenarios to really drive the point home.
Overall, “The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology” is a compelling guide that’s especially useful if you want to sharpen your instincts and safeguard yourself in personal or professional relationships. It’s a valuable tool for anyone looking to understand the darker side of human interaction and, more importantly, to protect themselves from being manipulated or deceived.

Like so many of us unfortunately I’ve been a victim of dark psychology, and I’ve read a fair number of books about antisocial personality disorder, liars and dark manipulators, but what I appreciate most about the 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology is all of the strategies around questioning / interviewing and holding these people accountable. This is the part I’ve always been stuck in, and felt I lacked resources around. I took a bunch of notes, but I will have to re-read or listen to it again to really digest.

The book offers a clear, practical guide to recognizing and approaching individuals exhibiting dark psychology, breaking down their behaviors, example scenarios, and questions to ask them. It’s a great reference for personal safety and understanding psychological manipulation.

The narration was great - very clear and articulate with good intonation, and it felt / read as very factual.

Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the gifted audio copy, all thoughts and opinions are mine.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 🎧

3.5 rounded up. The audiobook was narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya & I enjoyed the pacing. The first half of the book goes over Lena Sisco's experience in the field & provides background on dark psychology.

The second half goes over the 13 power moves. There were examples on how to apply and various descriptions on when & where they would be applicable. I retained some of the power moves and reframed the way I communicate in some areas but it would require rereads for me to remember everything. There are also areas that thankfully don't apply to me but I'm not sure if facing dark psychology that I'll remember the techniques.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and retained some of the power moves.

I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a phenomenal book. It was full of information that was thorough and also accessible for a wide range of readers. It not only explains the intentions behind the use of dark psychology, but also provides the reader/listener insight into how to recognize it and defend themselves against it with numerous options for action or inaction. I appreciate this information in a world in which dark psychology seems to be increasingly evident in daily interactions both in personal and professional relationships and interactions. In addition, it was narrated with articulate and well-paced narration that supported the accessibility of the information.

This is a very eye opening and thorough book. It is more then a self help book, this is you to learn about different things such as what exactly is psychopathy and what are the sings. What should you look for and do all psychos kill? Things that most of us truly believe. This author is fantastic and such a great teacher in all of this and through this entire book. I had the audio book and I am really hoping this comes out in an actual book form, because I want it as it is easier for me to go back to it in reference and to write things down and such. Not only does she give you ways to identify behaviors, but ways to respond to such behaviors. She doesn't leave you without a way out. She has safety outlets and phone numbers as well as emails at the end of the book. I can not say enough good things about this incredible book!

The author Lena Sisco is not only educated but has so much job experience that I am seriously hoping that she writes more than just this one book. I have learned so much from her that I am eager to learn more from her.

Thank you to Netgalley for the oportunity to listen/read this early.

Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio & Publishing for a copy of this book in audio in exchange for an honest review!

This was a highly informative novel when it comes to recognizing, discerning, dealing with/being in situations with individuals that have or exhibits signs of dark psychology. I have personally dealt with individuals such as this, and this audiobook is a great tool to review and even to have as a reference. It broke situations and signs for discernment and recognition down into easy bite size pieces. It gave examples of scenarios and how to handle them. This book also delves into the psychology of these individuals, how they manipulate, extort others, but also how special agents have managed to manipulate and ensure that these individuals comply in investigations, etc. At the end, there is also a small section about how to pursue charges against these individuals (of course this mostly applies to the US legal system) and pitfalls the victims may find themselves in plus how to persevere during to ensure maximum safety and peace.

Overall, this is extremely informative and interesting and a great way to understand these individuals and how to recognize and deal with them. I would re-read this again and keep this as a reference novel as well.

“13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology” by Lena Sisco is a compelling and eye-opening exploration into the manipulative tactics used in everyday interactions. The book offers a detailed look at how dark psychology can be used to influence, control, and even dominate others—whether intentionally or subconsciously. Sisco presents each of the 13 “power moves” with clear examples, psychological backing, and practical insight, making it an accessible read for both beginners and those with a budding interest in behavioral psychology.

What stands out is how the author balances the informational content without glorifying manipulation. Instead, Sisco often highlights how to recognize these tactics in others and protect yourself from emotional exploitation. The tone is confident, and the structure is easy to follow, with a nice balance between theory and real-life application.

One area that could use improvement is the depth of analysis in certain sections. Some power moves felt more surface-level, and additional case studies or expanded discussion would have made the impact even stronger. Still, it’s a useful resource for anyone interested in understanding the darker side of human interaction—especially in business, relationships, or leadership dynamics

So, the 13 Power Moves don't come into play in this book until around 55%. The first half is a lot of information about "dark psychology". If you've taken any psychology courses, you've probably heard a lot of this information before. It's a decent overview.

However, I'm unsure how to rate this one overall. Some inconsistencies make me question the validity of all the other information. I don't feel like deep diving into every concept, so I'll have to take most of this information with a grain of salt.

Two specific examples I remember:

Lie detectors are brought up, and how inaccurate they can be, especially with narcissistic people (since they won't have an anxiety response to lying). But then she brings up the fact that Casey Anthony's parents failed their polygraph tests, as if that is some smoking gun to prove that she's guilty. Note: I don't think Casey is innocent, but my reasons are unrelated to polygraph tests. Also, none of this even matters since she wasn't found guilty in court.

Then they're brought up again to show that some guy was cheating on his girlfriend, and his failed polygraph is mentioned as proof. You can't have it both ways. They either work or they don't. Either trust them or don't. I've always heard you should never take one, since they're not admissible in court. So why are they brought up in this contradictory way? It's just confusing.

Another issue is that the author brings up neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). It's brought up about one of the leaders of NXIVM and how she used it to manipulate people. NLP has no scientific evidence to support it and is often referred to as a pseudoscience.

While I'm sure Lena Sisco is great at her job, presenting information like this without providing the whole picture feels irresponsible. It makes for a confusing narrative, and I'm unsure what to trust about the rest of the book.

Jennifer Jill Araya narrates. Her voice is clear and easy to understand. She generally keeps emotion out of her voice, which is what I prefer for nonfiction audiobooks.

I can't say I necessarily recommend this. I'm sure some of the information is helpful for those in volatile relationships or who need help recognizing when they may be manipulated. Still, there are probably better books for those instances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.

I thought this was a really interesting and eye-opening read. It breaks down the psychology behind manipulation in a way that feels practical and easy to follow. I liked how it focused on both recognizing toxic behaviors in others and checking your own blind spots too. The real-world examples helped drive it home and made it feel more grounded.

Some parts felt a little repetitive but overall I liked the structure and how each “power move” had clear takeaways. It gave me a lot to think about when it comes to protecting myself and being more aware of subtle mind games.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology by Lena Sisco, narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya

Lena Sisco’s The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology is not your average self-help listen—it’s a tactical field guide for navigating the murky waters of manipulation, deception, and psychological warfare. Drawing on her experience as a military interrogator and intelligence officer, Sisco distills years of high-stakes human behavior analysis into thirteen sharp-edged strategies designed to help listeners recognize, resist, and—if necessary—wield the tools of dark psychology.

This isn’t about turning listeners into Machiavellian masterminds. It’s about awareness. Sisco walks a fine line between empowerment and ethics, offering real-world examples of gaslighting, coercion, and emotional abuse while emphasizing the importance of using knowledge responsibly. Whether you’re dealing with a toxic boss, a narcissistic partner, or just trying to sharpen your instincts in a world full of subtle power plays, this audiobook delivers both insight and armor.

Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration is a standout. Her delivery is crisp, confident, and never clinical—striking the right balance between authority and accessibility. She brings clarity to complex psychological concepts and lends a steady, reassuring tone to even the most unsettling scenarios. It’s the kind of voice you want in your ear when decoding a manipulator’s next move.

What makes this audiobook especially compelling is its structure. Each “power move” is framed not just as a tactic to watch for, but as a lens through which to examine your own boundaries and blind spots. It’s part psychology, part self-defense, and entirely relevant in an age where influence often hides in plain sight.

Overall, this was a compilation of information that I’ve heard elsewhere. That said, it’s likely a good place to start for someone who isn’t feeling safe or equal in their relationships.

One point of note, the author makes several statements that she counteracts with other statements, and it led to me have less trust in the content than I would have liked. The most glaring example was the extensive explanation about how polygraphs aren’t admissible and don’t really mean anything, but then in the next chapter she talks about how Casey Anthony failed her polygraph and her parents didn’t, and that the author believes she’s guilty. It felt a bit wild to have that in there without explaining why. In the last 10 minutes, she says box breathing is in for 4, out for 4. It’s in for 4, hold 4, out 4, hold 4. It was little things like this that made me feel less and less positive toward the book and the content as it progressed.

The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology by Lena Sisco is an incredibly informative and empowering read that breaks down the psychology behind manipulation in a way that is both accessible and deeply insightful. Drawing from her experience as a military interrogator and intelligence officer, Sisco delivers real tools to help readers identify and defend themselves against deceit and emotional control.

What stood out most to me was how much this book covered family-based manipulation. That angle was especially interesting and relevant, since it’s something so many people deal with but don’t always recognize. Sisco explains how manipulation can be subtle and deeply ingrained in family dynamics, and she gives readers the knowledge to spot these behaviors and break free from toxic patterns.

The book covers a wide range of manipulation tactics, from gaslighting and guilt-tripping to more covert behaviors, all explained through examples like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Lance Armstrong, and the Stanford Prison Experiment. These references help ground the psychological concepts in real-world events, making them easier to understand and harder to forget.

Each of the 13 “power moves” is actionable and practical. Whether you're navigating a new relationship, recovering from emotional harm, or simply want to be more aware of the people around you, this book gives you the tools to stay in control and protect your peace.

Lena Sisco writes with authority and clarity. You can tell she truly knows what she’s talking about, but she never makes the reader feel overwhelmed. Instead, she gives you the confidence to trust your instincts and take back control of your interactions.

I highly recommend this to anyone dealing with toxic people, especially within families, workplaces, or romantic relationships. It’s a powerful reminder that knowledge really is power.