“You’re not alone anymore, Aria. And as long as I’m still breathing, you’re never going to be.”⁣
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This paranormal/supernatural fantasy romance was such a captivating read! I was left dreaming about their story when I was falling asleep each night! ⁣
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Told in both 1st and 3rd person, this story weaves a unique tale of the Laven, those who live among us in the human world but protect us in their sleep by destroying the dark thoughts that the Kruen use to take hold of a humans mind. Bound together to help, Pax and Aria would do anything to protect the innocent and every night they risk their own bodies as collateral damage in the cause. But their connection is only allowed in Tearsith, seeking each other out in the human world is forbidden. And you know I loved the fated mates connection the two of them shared!! The ceaseless need they had to help protect each other no matter the cost had me giddy, even if it was forbidden by the elders.⁣
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“Aria. You’re every dream I’ve ever had. Every vision in the day. Every hope that I’ve dared to have. All of me, it’s yours.”⁣
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My heart ached that only in sleep did Aria find solace from her life, during waking hours she was just an ordinary human left with the consequences of the battles she fought. In her sleep she is strong and powerful, yet because her scars and wounds remained when she wakes, her family questioned her sanity and everything she fights to protect. Being one of the “chosen” is a heavy burden to carry and I was captivated with each new turn of the story. Pax is the ultimate protector and I loved watching him fight with everything he had for Aria! That cliffhanger left me with so many questions and theories as to what could unfold next! Consider me hooked!⁣
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“You are my beginning. My conclusion. My completion.”

VISIONS OF DARKNESS by A.L. Jackson Darkness Book #1
Pax and Aria's story
Tropes: Romantasy, Dark Paranormal Romance
"SHE WAS MY PERFECTION, MY ECTASY, MY COMPLETION"
This is a fantasy story where our heroine Aria and our hero Pax are swept away to a far off land called Tearsith whenever they sleep. They meet up with others like themselves and fight evil, then return to their human lives during the day. Pax is Aria's Sol (soulmate), her protector and their feelings run deep even though love between them is forbidden. When the two worlds collide the plots grows deeper and stronger and I just couldn't put the book down. There's so much more to this story but I won't spoil it for you. Pax was the perfect hero, so strong and protective, always putting Aria first. These two certainly had a slow burn but once ignited became an inferno! Hold on for one heck of a cliff hanger ending!! I'm not usually into fantasy but I totally enjoyed this story and looking forward to more!!!

Well this book drew me in from the very beginning. This is my first book by AL Jackson and I love how descriptive she is with her writing, others might not like that but I truly loved it. Her writing is done so well. I quickly fell in love with Aria and Pax, they're truly everything. Such a great storyline and it was nice having a fantasy book that wasn't about fae or anything related to the norm for fantasy. I truly loved this one and would recommend to anyone, however the ending of this book had me shook! I need book 2 immediately. I need to know what happens!!! 😭

4.25⭐️

What a world! This was an incredible new start to a romantacy series. 

Pax and Aria were magnificent! The pull they have for one another was captivating. 

The urban fantasy setting was a bit difficult for me in the beginning because we are switching from 3 worlds essentially but it all came together. 

I was apprehensive since this isn’t her usual genre but it worked out. 

I am excited to see where this world goes that she’s created.

Aria, by day, is a human.
When sleep consumes her, she is a Laven, travelling to Taersith where she goes through a portal to Faydor; fighting Kruen, alongside Pax, her nol. The evil Kruen feed into human minds to convince them to do dark and terrible things.

Aria & Pax aren’t supposed to connect in their human forms, but when danger is imminent in the human realm, Pax must make the decision to stand by, or risk it all…

I absolutely loved the concept of this story and the magic system involved. It was fast paced, and ends on an immense cliffhanger! Personally, I love cliffhangers in books so I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

I feel as though more complex world building would have elevated the novel to another level, and I did struggle to connect with the characters at times.

I am in absolute awe of one of my all-time favorite authors of contemporary romance! AL Jackson has done an amazing job jumping genres right into Fantasy/Romantasy, and I was completely consumed with this story from start to finish.

First off, the narrators were perfection for Aria and Pax. I felt like I was watching a movie with each scene and suspenseful moment. This book is nonstop action and suspense and surprises, and I loved every minute of it.

The connection between Aria and Pax is like no other I have read. It goes beyond the physical and emotional... and this author did an amazing job making this supernatural world seem so real and visceral. I devoured this audiobook and couldn't get enough. Now I cannot wait for Book 2 and more from these characters and this world. BRAVO AL Jackson!!!!

Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson is her first romantasy/paranormal-related book. Pax and Aria are born to fight underworld goons with nefarious intentions. The two soul mates can see and hear the dark and dangerous thoughts and plans from the underworld beings while in a hellish landscape in their dreams. The two are in a race to save Aria from the clutches of the most dangerous goon of all who will destroy her and her family.

This book was entertaining. The story really picked up with a banger of an ending that had me screaming NOOOO when I hit the last page. Ok, A.L. Jackson, you hooked me on this world of Aria and Pax. More please.

What to expect:
-Only one bed
-Forbidden romance
-Morally gray hero
-Fated mates
-Touch her and d_e

When one of my one-click authors releases a book I am all grabby hands. So color me surprised when she revealed that it was a romantasy. She had popped my long overdue cherry in this quick growing genre. I found this story well-written and fascinating. The way the author pieced this story together was nothing short of amazing. It was as if I was floating within a dream as I watched this couples journey play out. I really liked the development of the characters, and the in-depth descriptions with all her words which had my mind visualizing each scene as the story progressed. The emotional and physical connection was beyond what I could have hoped for. Visions of Darkness is an out of this world read.

Stepping into this book, I was so deeply confused by the world (Faydor) being introduced to us, but I am so glad I didn't give up on reading and continued. As the story unfolded I was engrossed in the action and trying to figure out what was happening to Aria and routing for Pax to show up for her, and when he did, I just couldn't put the book down! Their is so much more I want to know about the world these characters visit when they go to sleep, why were they chosen to fight the Kruen, and who is this mystery blond man?? I can't wait for A. L. Jackson to continue the story because I am HOOKED.

Visions Of Darkness, By A.L. Jackson

"What do I think, Aria?"....."I think you're beautiful. And if I dreamed, I would dream of you.".....

"I dream sometimes, Pax, and it's always of you."

Oh my goodness. What a journey this book was. First of all, I am so excited for Amy to be releasing her first dark romantasy book!!! Also, I am so honored to be chosen for an ARC.

This book is very dark. It is such a cool concept and unlike any other romantasy I have ever read. This is a story of Aria and Pax who are connected in a way like no other. Fated soul mates through and through. But they are connected in a dream world. A world where they fight off the evil in this world. The evil that preys on our vulnerabilities as humans. But their connection is like no other I have read.

The ending of this book had my heart pounding out of my chest, and I was on the edge of my literary seat. The picture Amy paints is so vivid and dark. It was wow. I'm speechless. So intelligently written. I am locked in and can not wait for book 2 to continue Pax and Arias story. If you are looking for a dark romantasy, this is the one for you

🖤𝓜𝔂 𝓹𝓾𝓻𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓐𝓻𝓲𝓪. 𝓣𝓸 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓵 𝔀𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓰𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓸 𝓴𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮.🖤

Look at Ms. @aljacksonauthor dipping her toes in the romantasy water and absolutely crushing. I know this is not always the favorite genre for romance lovers, but this is so unique and different from other romantasy books that I have read and I loved it so much! This one is also a SLOW BURN! As in, they don’t even kiss until 70%! But there is so much plot to get through and to start setting up for the end of the book and the rest of the series, that I was good with it.

Pax and Aria are each other’s soul’s other half. But their relationship is so much more than others who are like them. Aria has special powers and Pax is determined to protect her at all costs, even if that means meeting in the real world. After Aria has a rough go at home, Pax needs to save her and then they fight their attraction to each other to avoid drawing the forces they are fighting to them. But with Aria’s special powers, they are already after her and Pax is doing all he can to keep her safe and keep them together. Along their journey they find others who help provide information, learn more about who they are and what they can do, and the learn that there is more danger surrounding them than they knew. Aria still loves her family, even though they have given her a hard time and with Pax’s help, they help save them all.

Everything is wrapped up so nicely at the end of this, but just be ready for all the twists and turns that occur throughout and be ready to start developing theories for what happens next! I am giving this a 5⭐️ rating and cannot wait for what comes next! Be ready for Visions of Darkness when it releases on 1/7!

I’m shook! A.L. Jackson’s first book in the paranormal world was pretty intense! The darkness & danger that Aria & Pax deal with on a nightly basis is legit unreal, frightening & brutal in every aspect. And then it follows them in the daytime too. This was hard to put down and go about everyday life lol. But holy cow, that ending has me reeling! So worth the read!

As a lover of romantasy, this book was everything I hoped for and more. It tells the story of Aria, who ventures into the magical world of Faydor when she sleeps in order to protect humanity. However, when Aria begins experiencing vivid hallucinations even in her waking hours, her soulmate, Pax, joins her to ensure her safety. Their love is deep and undeniable, but their connection is as dangerous as it is powerful. As they battle dark forces, resisting their growing attraction becomes an impossible challenge. The story ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you are a fan of romantasy, this is a must read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Valentine PR for the ARC.

I need to start by saying I am a HUGE fan of AL Jackson. Her Time River series captured my heart and has not let it go. So when I heard she was branching into Romantasy I was like OMG yessss!!! It just didn't capture me the same way and I am really sad about it. I’m not sure what it was but I just didn’t fall in love.

Very interesting concept of a fantasy dream world which is bleeding in to the real one, causing Aria’s family to worry she is not psychologically ok.

I loved Pax! The way he protects Aria and would do anything for her. And poor Aria.. she goes through hell!

And there is a found family x fated mates vibe which I loved.

This was a good 8 out of 10 read!

I enjoyed Aria and Pax’s journey and understood the unique struggles they each had to experience everyday they lived, together or apart.

But what I found more compelling is their descriptions of the world around them. Especially Aria’s. I really enjoyed A.L Jackson’s portrayal of reality because the layers of light and dark that exist within the confines of the human mind is not just wholly black and white. There’s so much to the struggles of being human that cannot be explained in the simplest of terms and cannot be summed up with one simple word. Everyone may feel multiple things all at once and everyone is not just evil or just good. But sympathy and empathy can allow you to see beyond your own experience and can be a powerful thing.

Bravo to Author A.L. Jackson on her first book in a new genre!

This may be the first book in a new genre for Author A. L. Jackson, but the story building for this first book in her new series feels like she's a veteran writer to the genre. It's a fascinating mix of both the real world and fantasy. Destined soulmates, Aria and Pax's story is dark and dangerous with threats all around them in both worlds. And with the pulse pounding ending of book one, I'll be counting down the days until the next book.

The premise to this book was super intriguing! A.L. Jackson usually writes contemporary romances, so this is her first book written as romantasy. I thought the set up of the story was really interesting because our FMC, Aria, is living in two different worlds, one when she’s awake and another when she’s asleep. Her life in her “dream world” of Faydor, she is warrior who fights off the darkness with her Nol (kinda like her fated mate), our MMC, Pax. Their paths in the real world were never supposed to cross. So when her worlds start to really blend into each other, her situation heightens and the darkness is drawn to her.

I thought the different POV’s from when we shift from the real world to dream world and vice versa, was really interesting. I think it worked well with this book because it felt like you could differentiate better between being in the real world and getting first pov versus being in the dream world and getting third pov, like you’re observing. I did love the relationship between Aria and Pax. At first it felt like their relationship was rushed, until you realize they’ve always been in this together, it starts to shift your perspective. There was a lot of unanswered questions that I had about the darkness and Faydor, but with the way this book ends, I hope those are answered in book 2?

This story was unexpected and even better than I anticipated it being. I will start by saying Romantasy is a little outside of my usual reading preferences, but I will read anything AL Jackson writes so I went in mostly blind. She wrote a unique and complex story that had a little of everything – forbidden love, angst, betrayal, a physical and metaphorical journey, a morally gray hero, a strong female lead, a deplorable evil, and a found family. Aria embodies the strength she must have in her role while still being a little innocent and young. I initially worried her age would bother me, I usually prefer older characters, but that worry was quickly erased as the plot thickened. Pax is morally gray while still being good, jaded and hurt by the life he was born into. Together, they are opposite pieces of a puzzle that fits together.

This story was a brand new world for me that was imaginative and executed with just enough detail to transport me to this new world, but also left me wanting more, setting me up to want the next story. I loved the idea that Faydor exists alongside this world, feeding evil into the weak and that there were beings that fought to eradicate that evil. Once I found out more of the lore, things really became intriguing and I can’t wait to see how Aria and Pax’s unique situation continues to develop. While it does end on a cliffhanger, I felt it was a little soft landing since the main plot was resolved in this book. However, the threads Amy left us with were intriguing and I sincerely hope that another book isn’t far off.

Visions of Darkness is book one in the Darkness series. It follows Aria & Pax.

Every night, when Aria falls asleep, she is transported to another world called Faydor. In this world, she, a Laven, and Pax her Nol are one of the few chosen to fight creatures called Kruen who feed sin and chaos to vulnerable humans in the everyday world. Although Aria and Pax have known each other all their lives in Faydor, they were never supposed to ever meet in the real world. When a threat comes for Aria in the real world, Pax breaks this sacred rule to be by her side and is willing to sacrifice his life for hers as he is her protector.

This book was a really unique twist to romantasies as it is told partly in the real world and in a world they can only get to in their sleep. Aria is such a strong fmc who has endured so much in her 18 years. She is fiercely misunderstood by everyone around her. Pax is a morally grey mmc, and honestly, I loved him from the first time he was brought up. He is a protector and would do absolutely anything to keep Aria safe. Their connection was strong, and you could feel the love between them! I ate it up!

A.L. Jackson has a way of writing worlds that just suck you in. There definitely were some creepy parts in the book, which I absolutely loved and action-packed. I do wish there was a bit more backstory of how they were chosen to be Laven/Nol and just more of a backstory of how it all came to be but the story is fantastic without those details.

I will say the ending was just cruel, and I can’t wait to read the next book as I need to know what happens!

You will enjoy this book if you like the following:
- Fated Mates ⁠
- Forbidden ⁠
- The Chosen One⁠
- On the Run⁠
- Morally Gray Hero ⁠
- Two Worlds Collide⁠
- Only One Bed⁠
- Ultimate Touch her and 🔪Protector ⁠
- Slow burn

Thank you so much, A.L. Jackson, and Montlake for the gifted copy!

It really pains me to say this but unfortunately I dnf'd this book at 35%. I love the premise of the story however, the pacing just didn't work for me. I love AL Jackson's romance stories so I was super excited to follow her on this journey.