a.l. jackson has created a dark world that’s horrific and different, set within a modern setting and one that feels refreshing in its newness. visions of darkness blends forbidden romance with slow burn and friends to lovers, making it feel different from what we usually encounter in the romantasy sphere. considering this is jackson's debut romantasy, however i’m more inclined to consider this urban fantasy or urban paranormal, it had one of the most interesting premises where certain people, referred to as ‘laven’, are gifted with abilities to traverse between the dream and the real worlds, accompanied by a ‘nol’ or soulmate who laven are forbidden from meeting in real life, but the execution was difficult to move on from.

for one—this is without hesitation a “me” issue—i can’t stand fantasy elements within a realistic environment. the blending of both reality and fantasy feels chaotic; simultaneously, the worlds felt separated miles from each other, as the laven accessed faydor through dreams, making the real world and faydor distinct realms that overlapped in subtle ways. with the way creatures from the dream world would escape into reality, creating havoc through emotionally vulnerable people, and the laven would sustain injuries in the dream world that would only appear when they woke after long hours of fighting kruen in faydor, visions of darkness was both straightforward and confusing. this book raised a lot of unanswered questions that, i’m assuming, will be answered in the following installments but for the meantime, readers have been left with little information. what kind of frustrated me with this book is that it wasn’t made clear this was to be a series, as it wasn’t marketed as such, so the world-building felt lacking and the time it took to start introducing the information was horrendous. taking into account that most of the fantasy elements originate from tearsith and faydor, it’s natural that the lore will take some time to unfold, but this also limits the knowledge we have and learn of the world and the magic.

♡ aria rialta
considering aria’s eighteen, she’s lived a sheltered and traumatic life within that short span of time. for someone young and still impressionable, aria’s really strong emotionally and mentally having been forced to grow up faster than others due to her situation, but there’s a lot of change and learning ahead for her. she’s been labelled a liar and admitted into institutions against her choice, however she’s one of the most empathetic characters despite everything and it’s refreshing to read about a character who isn’t jaded or full of sass.

♡ pax morrison
much like aria, pax has lived a difficult life. he broods and has become hardened by life, something to be expected considering the mistreatment he’s suffered. with this pax is, without doubt, the epitome of morally grey and “touch her and die”. he will do whatever is necessary to ensure aria is safe and well, even if it means doing questionable things. however, the amount of references to pax’s protective nature towards aria and how he wants to make sure she’s safe was too much and it’s unfortunate because it made him feel flat and dull.

in the end, this book wasn’t for me but if you are someone who loves the following tropes: friends to lovers; forbidden love; soulmates; morally grey male character; “the chosen one”; close proximity and one bed, to name some of them that feature, then perhaps visions of darkness will be for you. as much as i wanted to love this book, the execution was the most disappointing aspect of it. despite this having a promising beginning, the age of the characters and underwhelming personalities made them unrelatable and the lacking world-building made this book difficult to be engaging.

Visions of Darkness sent me on an exciting journey through two interwoven worlds—one mundane, one magical—and left me both intrigued and demanding more. I was intrigued the moment I realized Aria Rialta wasn't just any average girl, but one who battled darkness in the realm of Faydor every night. The illicit bond between her and Pax Morrison, her fiercely protective soulmate in the dreamworld, is portrayed with tangible emotion and a slow-burn intensity that kept me flipping pages.

I liked how A.L. Jackson flawlessly blended dark fantasy and urban reality. The concept of living in two realities is novel and new, and her evocative descriptions of Faydor and the malevolent Kruen create an atmosphere that is both terrifying and exciting. However, I felt that the pacing lagged at times—some portions could have used a little more tightening to keep the energy going.

Overall, Visions of Darkness is a captivating introduction to romantasy that has me eagerly anticipating the next installment. Four stars for a novel that is both thought-provoking and thrilling, with just enough opportunity for development in the world-building and pacing to make future books even more entertaining.

Im not noramlly a romantasy reader, however I really enjoyed this. I have read AL's contemporary works and loved them. This had a unique storyline with a good slow burn.

I have loved all of A.L. Jackson books and this one is no different. Her writing and plots are always perfection. I absolutely love the MMC and the FMC is exceptional and so resilient. I’m not normally one for books ending in a cliffhanger but this one has been totally worth it. Beautiful story with a gut wrenching cliff hanger. Keeping my eyes peeled for the next one!

I’m not a fan of romantasy but if AL Jackson writes it, I’ll read it! This book surprised me in all the best ways possible! It made me fall in love with the characters and connect with them quickly.

Aria is essentially living a double life. While she sleeps, she fights alongside her Laven family and her protector, Pax to rid the world of the darkness that preys on human minds.

In the waking world, Aria and Pax are never supposed to meet. Evil forces will be drawn to soulmates who share space in the waking world, therefore it is forbidden. But when the sleeping and waking world collide, and Aria’s life is in imminent danger, Pax doesn’t question breaking the rules and coming to her rescue.

This book had such an interesting premise and nothing quite like anything I have ever read before. It’s a bit of a slow burn in the first 30%, the story doesn’t really pick up until Pax and Aria link up in the real world. Admittedly, I didn’t feel super connected to the characters despite them being well written. Their bond and chemistry was sweet but I needed more substance.

Overall, I thought the premise was very original and I’m intrigued enough to see where the story goes in the coming books.

Visions of Darkness - A L Jackson

4.5/5⭐️

📚📚📚
Once again A.L. Jackson has done it again with another amazing read! This was one I couldn’t put down and was clicking my kindle so fast to get to what was next. I was instantly consumed into the book and I did finish in one sitting. But I think that may be my favorite way of reading lately. The Romantasy mood this got me in now!! Aria is our FMC and wow that girl had me speechless. She’s a high school senior but also a warrior who fights the evil and darkness. Pax is her protector in Faydor where she’s fighting off the evil. He’s just suppose to make sure she’s safe to do her job without crossing paths. Well that definitely doesn’t stop them. This definitely becomes a roller coaster ride and what a way to have it end!! I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Definitely recommend adding to your tbrs!

📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Touch her and you 💀
- Only one bed
- Morally gray hero
- Forbidden
- The chosen one
- Fated mates
- On the run
- Two worlds collide
… You should definitely check this out

Such a fun fantasy! I’ve never read A. L. Jackson before, but I will go back and look into more books! The world building was fantastic and so much fun, the pacing was great and I felt interested the in entire book.

The first few chapters I was a little confused but I think that’s normal when you’re trying to understand the new world that the author has created. The book had action, fantasy, forbidden love and mystery. I was totally invested in the story and kept hoping that the main characters get together. I won’t spoil anything but I can’t believe what happened! This book is definitely a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 ⭐️
This was a fun read! At first i was a little confused with the going back and forth in the worlds but then immediately felt captivated! Aria and Pax ahh love them 🥰🥰🥰

I like the world that the author created for this book. The Kruen are scary monsters. I would not want to meet them either in my dreams or in the real world. Thus, Aria is very strong to face them and fight them. Luckily, she does not have to do it alone as she has Pax by her side.

While I did like the world building, I do have to admit that while there were some scary moments in the beginning, it still felt like the story moved at a slower pace to get going. Although, once the story did pick up, I did become more engaged.

I like Aria and Pax connection. It was slow burn, but it was also emotional. Thus, the reason that I did like their connection. It was deeper than just physical.

This book was fine, it fell a little flat for me personally. I didn’t feel like I had any stake in the characters or the plot, and didn’t feel particularly strongly about anything happening to them throughout the story.

I think the premise is super interesting, but would have enjoyed more detail on the fantasy dream world. It also felt more YA to me and maybe that is the goal, but I don’t personally enjoy YA as much as NA+ books.

I could track everything through the story, and the world building was not confusing which is good, I just felt like the characters didn’t have a ton of personality, and I wasn’t really seeing the draw / chemistry between aria and pax.

Overall I think this was a fine book but not for me.

Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson is everything! It’s a wild, heart-pounding ride that you won’t be able to put down. A total page-turner and It’s such a quick read—you’ll devour it in no time, like your favorite guilty pleasure. The story is original, giving you all the twists and turns you didn’t see coming. The characters, Aria and Pax? I adore them and rooted for them the entire time. They’ll pull you right into their world of danger, dark secrets, and chemistry that’s off the charts. I adored this book so much, and I can't wait for the next one. If you’re in the mood for a quick, thrilling read that’ll leave you hooked from start to finish, Visions of Darkness is it.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you so much to Montlake for the ARC and the AL Jackson and her team for the gifted PR box! These are my honest thoughts!

OKAY when Amy announced she had a romantasy book releasing, I WAS SO EXCITED. Her writing is already poetic, and I couldn't wait to see what magic she brought to life. This book starts off SO FAST into this alternate reality that's part real and part fantasy. Aria is tethered to Pax, who spends his life in another realm, one that Aria visits when she sleeps. Aria's family is fully human, and they don't understand her special powers. Instead, they think she's self-harming and get her admitted into an institute for help. When she becomes trapped there, she's hunted by evil from the other realm, and Pax has to do some drastic things in order to save her.

Things I loved about this story:
- The quick pace
- The soulmates/fated mates storyline, which felt so genuine, you felt their connection
- The action and the way that we got to know the world throughout the story
- The surprising characters along the way
- The reveal about Aria and Pax and their powers

I'm excited to see this universe continue and can't wait for book 2!

What to expect:
- fantasy romance
- two words: reality vs. a dream-type realm
- soulmates/fated mates
- a dash of suspense
- childhood friends (a.k.a. it's always been you)
- a morally grey hero

I think this was a solid fantasy debut from A.L. Jackson, a contemporary romance author. But if you read it, I strongly recommend the audio. Depending on the realm, it's written in either first or third pov, which I found easier to digest and follow on audio.

𐕣 ARC REVIEW 𐕣

Thank you so much @valentine_pr_ & @aljacksonauthor for my copy of Visions of Darkness!!

Holy snap! This was unlike anything I’ve ever read before and such a cool concept. I would sell my soul for this to become a movie or a tv series, I loved it so much! If you’re into romantasy but don’t want a high level of spice, this is your book!

Visions of Darkness is available now and inside you’ll find:

❤️‍🔥supernatural powers
✨soulmates
❤️‍🔥forbidden love
✨friends to lovers
❤️‍🔥heroine in danger
✨on the run
+ much much more!!

it kept me engaged until 45% into the book idk if it was because I was slowly getting into a reading slump from a previous book or the plot.

Really interesting & beautiful world in this magical coming of age story!

Plot: 5📍
Spice: 1.5❤️‍🔥
Overall: 4⭐


Aria and Pax are tension-creating perfection.

Aria, extremely sheltered, but knows what her heart wants, the boy who she grew up with in her dreams, literally. Pax, the man of her dreams, the man IN her dreams, is a hard, determined soul. Her perfect match to fight the evil beings that invade her dreams at night. But is Pax real? A figment of her imagination? Why does she dream every night of fighting evil but wakes up with real work scars?

I loved how Aria’s goodness comes through. She cares deeply for those around her, family, friend, stranger, or foe. And Pax’s protectiveness is just OTT possessiveness gold. He’s there for her, friend, staunch ally, protector, hard truth giver as needed through multiple twists and turns.

There are some really great little breadcrumbs dropped through the story that if you go back and reread you’ll start to see them! And Jackson also includes a fun little tie-in between art and the special magic that Pax and Aria have. And it’s a light thread through the book to keep an eye out for! I also loved that Jackson used 3rd and 1st person POVs depending on the setting and situation! It was a really unique why to distinguish between worlds.

The story did lag a teeny here and there and sometimes the pining got a little repetitive and whiny for me. But I think that’s just me in my ripe ole age these days. 😉 I think the targeted age group here is probably 5-10 years younger than me. Speaking of …I’m not one to advocate full on romance for anyone under 18. Just my personal preference. On one hand, this is an adult story with adult themes. However, it’s all still very fantasy romance - lite. The spice is loving and gentle, and while not closed door, is also not outright explicit more implied. The violence is glossed over. There’s a few f**ks by Pax. If there were a book that is borderline approps for the-just-over-legal-age, I’d say this one could be an option. (Parents, obvi, review as you see fit!)

This does end on a cliffhanger and I’m so interested to see what happens next!

Thank you to AL Jackson& Valentine PR for the opportunity to read and review this book!

🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 🎧
I honestly believe that AL Jackson cannot write a bad book. I’ve been a fan of hers for some time now and I have never rated her books lower than 5 stars even though Visions of Darkness isn’t her normal sub-genre she writes, it’s most definitely worth 5 stars!

✽ 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: Victoria Mei & Teddy Hamilton

You’ll enjoy this book if you like these tropes… ♡

ꕤ 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 ꕤ

♡ Soul Mates
♡ Touch Her & Die Vibes
♡ Morally Grey MMC
♡ Two Different Worlds
♡ Forbidden
♡ Found Family
♡ Virgin FMC
♡ Demon
♡ Friends-to-Lovers
♡ Grumpy/Sunshine
♡ Paranormal Romance
♡ Slow Burn
♡ No Third Act Break-Up
♡ Fated Mates

I didn’t know what to expect when AL Jackson told me she was writing a fantasy romance. It’s not her normal sub-genre. However, I trust her and I know if the book is written by her, there’s no doubt in my mind that it will be amazing and I wasn’t wrong. It was incredible. I was addicted. Obsessed. It was so easy to get lost in and escape and watch the world and characters play out in my mind as I listened. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book and that damn cliffhanger and the end? AH.. Amy? Are you going to do me like that??

Aria and Pax are everything. Their forbidden love is so pure, so raw, it knows no bounds and it was obvious from the very beginning that they were meant to be and forbidden or not, it would be. It wasn’t easy for them and isn’t easy for them. They went through a lot. They have to fight evil not just for them but for those in need too. It left them with scars that will last a lifetime.

It’s so beautiful to witness these two together and watch their journey unfold and their love blossom. It’s breathtaking. The connection, the banter, the chemistry… All of it. It’s top-tier.

The plot holds so much depth and the world-building and character development are amazing and so easy to picture inside my head as I listened. I look forward to book two… The author left us on one hell of a cliffhanger!

FIVE STARS
✰✰✰✰✰

I love Pax and Aria so much!! This book had me hooked from the start. I haven’t read a fantasy book with this particular world, it was AMAZING! The world created in this book was fascinating. I have precisely read books from AL Jackson and I knew she would slay a fantasy romance book.

AND THE END!? WHAT?