I liked the premise of this book which was why I picked it up as an arc, but I couldn’t really get into it. I fear it just wasn’t really for me after all. However, I think it can be for some people and do advise people to give it a go because the writing style made it so that I was able to finish the book. It was very easy to read and the writing style I enjoyed

An intriguing first book in a new romantasy series.

I have read this author's indie romances so I was super excited to see she was dipping her toe into romantasy (very popular at the moment). I think Jackson was able to create and intriguing premise. A girl living two different lives (one when she's awake and another when she falls asleep). I think this was unique and offered something that will keep readers guessing what will happen next. That being said, I do wish the world/rules of the world were fleshed out more. I think a lot is left open-ended for a first book in a series. I never felt that I quite fully understood the world the story was set in. Perhaps this will be elaborated on in book two but, personally, I feel that's more of book one's job.

I did enjoy the main characters and the romance. I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. They had good chemistry and plenty of angst.

Overall, I enjoyed this and think romantasy lovers will eat this one up.

The Visions of Darkness is an absolutely captivating read that left me spellbound from beginning to end. The author masterfully creates a rich, immersive world where magic and adventure leap off the page, and the depth of detail in the world-building is truly remarkable.

The protagonist, is a beautifully complex character whose journey of self-discovery and courage resonates deeply. Her growth throughout the story is both believable and inspiring, making her a heroine you can’t help but root for. The supporting characters are just as well-crafted, each bringing their own unique charm and depth to the narrative.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had figured out what would happen next, the author skillfully surprised me. The themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the fight between good and evil are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding layers of meaning that will leave readers pondering long after they turn the last page.

Overall, Visions of Darkness is a must-read for fantasy lovers. I can’t wait for the next installment!

the blurb for this one had me interested- a normal girl by day, warrior by dreams at night. it was such a different and refreshing concept. this was so well written and the characters were well thought-out and developed. i lived for aria and pax on page together- the romance was top-tier.

Visions of Darkness is a romantasy thriller story following Aria Rialta, regular (not really) girl by day. But every night when she falls asleep, she is a badass warrior battling enemies alongside her soulmate Pax in another world. Danger hunts Aria into the day world and Pax has to cross over to help her.

This book has been rather refreshing to read. I enjoyed the world building provided by the dual realities. It moved the story along well and then things really picked up the further I read. I liked that the two main characters are already in love with each other, even though it’s kinda forbidden in day world. The romance works well so far and there’s great connection between the two. There’s a lot of space for the sequel to fill in especially with the lore, the Kruen, and powers. I’m really curious about the powers.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Hard to put down. Great premise, pace and storytelling. Would recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Wow that was a very original and quick read that I could not put down! The forbidden love, the lore that isn’t quite explained yet, the soul connection between the fmc and mmc…. I definitely want to see where this story goes because there is so much unanswered! But in a great intriguing way.
I love the “darkness” of this story, it gave a very haunted cryptic vibe, but with a tiny bit of psychological thriller in a way (although it’s clear the fmc isn’t insane, it’s understandable when she doubts her reality).
Solid story, great character development. I really enjoyed this book and will be anticipating the next book in the series.

Splendid read! I've never read anything like this.

The part in the blurb where MFC lives another life when she falls asleep peaked my interest. And yes, I got hooked right from the start. The atmosphere was excellent and the writing style so beautiful.

I did need a minute to fully understand the world of Faydor and the reason for fighting a war. It made me fall in love in Aria even more. How she fought and gave her all but stayed humble and true to herself! So darn cute. And Pax! Yumm is all I'm going to say.

The tittle pretty much sums it up, but then there's this beautiful storytelling, amazing plot, likeable characters, a side of romance, the cliff!!! All of these combined and topped with a hint of mystery and darker setting made this story unputdownable!

I can't wait for more.

Arc read on NetGalley
Visions of Darkness

Incredible, Unique, Gripping, Page-turner, Consuming.
‘You are what my heart knows’

This fantasy romance book was chef’s kiss. It has been awhile since I have read a fantasy book that had me up at all hours, wanting to see what happens next. It was so gripping and consuming. I loved all of it! At no point was I bored, It is a perfect mix of plot and romance.

This book is a hell of a rollercoaster of emotions.
How this book made me feel- Giddy ,heartbroken ,Happy ,Anxious, Sorrow for the characters. I was emotionally invested from the get go.

The connection that the two main characters have is captivating, forbidden in the real world only allowed to exist in Tearsith.
Are they willing to break all the rules to save Their Nol?
‘You think I didn't know you were in trouble, Aria? That I didn't feel it’

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 worlds in this book, the concept of saving people at night in Faydor and having a different life in the waking world. What could go wrong when the 2 worlds start to cross over.

Everytime I close my eyes I think about drifting off to Tearsith, I didn't want it to end! Safe to say I will be buying the physical copy and I'm SO SO excited for book2! (Assuming there is a book 2 with the way that one ended! Had me gasping!) I'm excited to see how both the main characters grow in the next book and see the true extent to Aria's gifts!

Overall it was an incredible read, The plot is unique and compelling. The magic and world building is easy to understand even if you are not a fantasy reader. You will not struggle to keep up with the different worlds. Perfect for those dipping their toes into this genre.

A book that will stay with me for a long time.
Pax&Aria have my heart

One last quote before I go!
“A long time ago, I gave up on the idea of there being any beauty in this life. Gave up on the idea that I would ever experience any of it. I was wrong. So fucking wrong. Because there’s you, Aria. There’s you. And there could never be anything more beautiful than that”

This is book 1 of The New Darkness Series. For the first book, this was all about the world building bringing and background of who the characters are and what they do. Now, I did find it a bit slow to begin with, and I was so glad I stuck with it as it steadily picked up the pace as we went through the story.

I thought that the author did a great job with our MCs, and the stark differences in the personalities mesh well together and is what brings them together.

I'm looking forward to more in this series and see how the characters develop and find out just what our MFC is capable of

The premise of the book drew me in instantly, with its intriguing blend of romance, danger, and the dual realities that Aria navigates. The concept of a war being fought in dreams while the waking world remains unaware was particularly compelling. However, despite my initial excitement, it took me some time to fully immerse myself in the story. There were moments when my interest waned, and I even considered a "soft DNF" to return to the book later.

Aria as a protagonist didn’t quite resonate with me—while I didn’t dislike her, I also didn’t feel much connection to her journey. Pax, on the other hand, was interesting, though he didn’t leave a lasting impression either. Their relationship, while central to the plot, felt somewhat predictable. That said, the tension between them and the stakes of their forbidden love added layers to the story, even if the emotional depth didn’t fully grab me.

One of my biggest issues was with the pacing and the story's clarity at times. There were gaps in the story where I felt uncertain about the characters' plans, particularly in the lead-up to the confrontation with the new force even darker than the Kruen. This might be a fault in how the events were explained or perhaps something I missed, but it left me feeling a little lost in the climactic moments.

Despite these issues, I find myself still intrigued by the world the author has created. There’s something about the potential for deeper exploration of both the forces threatening Aria and Pax and their relationship that makes me want to continue with the series—if it is indeed a series. The ending hints at more to come, and despite my mixed feelings, I want to see how their story unfolds.

For that reason, I can’t rate it lower than 4 stars. While Visions of Darkness wasn’t one of my favorite reads this year, it left me with enough curiosity to want more, and that’s a testament to the potential in this dark, romantic world.

Rating: 4/5

Note: I received this book on Netgalley as an ARC.

 'You are what my heart knows'

I picked up this book with low expectations, mostly because I have been disappointed by the 'soulmates' trope more than I can care to count. But, I'll be honest- this was one of the better books I have read in a while in this trope (and it's been a looong while). 

First and foremost- the romance. It was superbly written. However, we don't get to watch the characters fall in love with each other. They are already in love with each other, so it just feels like we're picking off from somewhere middle. If you want to read the characters actually fall in love, then this book isn't for you.

(Also, our characters know how to treat deadly, poisonous wounds WITHOUT ANY MEDICAL INTERVENTION. Of course they do.)

Anyways. The whole point of the book is that our FMC has some powers and now the Kruen (who are basically a more hideous adaption of 'the devil on your shoulder')  hunt her for it.

I honestly loved the concept and the plot. I was a little disappointed that the author doesn't stress much on their powers. Usually, it's just described vaguely as 'light', which is fine but it would have been cool if the author could delve a little deeper into the origins of their powers and how exactly Lavens are chosen. 

One major problem that I had while reading this book was the toggling between first and third person POV. At first I thought it was some editing mistake. It took me a while to realize that it's first person while the characters are awake and third person when they're in Faydor. This was a little off-putting (and very unnecessary). I felt that it kept interrupting my reading flow. 

Despite my reservations, I enjoyed this book (especially towards the end, where the stakes were high) and I would love to read it's sequel.

AL Jackson is one of my very few one-click authors. And this book was no exception. This is book one in the new Darkness Series. The book sets the pace, story and location, is a winner in my book.
Blurb: Aria Rialta is a girl of two realities. One she was born to. The other she was chosen for.
Every night when Aria falls asleep, she enters the world of Faydor to fight a war. It’s her calling to help defeat the Kruen, who feed sin to humans. It would be a lonely realm in which to do battle if not for Pax, Aria’s dangerously irresistible soulmate whose mere touch can kill. It’s also a realm that’s getting harder to escape.
Aria’s hallucinations are seeping into her waking world. And the Kruen are coming for her. To help Aria, Pax must do what no one in Faydor has dared to do before—join his soulmate in the light of day. Giving in to their attraction could be the dangerous, but they might not be able to stop themselves as they embark on a cross-country journey to fight.

When OI downloaded this book I had no idea it was a fantasy story, I DNF......I'm sorry I usually love anything that AL writes

I very much enjoyed this book. The characters were very interesting and I love the immediate connection between the two. Although I realize the romance had to be limited because that connection was what completes the strength between the two, I would of enjoyed seeing more chemistry between the two as they travel. I also would have enjoyed seeing Pax and her have the trip to the coast before she was pulled into another realm. Overall though I read it quickly and enjoyed it. I cannot wait to read the next book and I hope I'm given the opportunity do so. I collect books so I hope I can get the hardcopy when it's released as well as the next book so I can add it to my library and finally see them together and the evil destroyed. The author definitely captivates the audience and I enjoyed this book.

I loved this. The story weaves a seamless blend of darkness, hope, and a love that feels as inevitable as it is impossible. It’s a gripping, atmospheric journey that lingers long after you close the book.