Visions of Darkness ARC Review 🖤
4.5 Stars ⭐️

I have never been so confused yet entertained while reading a book. Not gonna lie, I could not understand the first 30% of the book… couldn’t even picture what was going on, but I think this was partially my fault for going in completely blind. Once I read the blurb, I had a better idea of what was going on.

I was caught by surprise when I learned both main characters are soulmates, yet they are forbidden to be together in the real world. Aria and Pax are both chosen to fight the war at Faydor, which is the nightmare world, and they help destroy the Kruen who feeds on sin and chaos from the real world.

The story follows Aria and how she struggles to keep her life separated getting into trouble in the real world with her family and having Pax break the rules to protect her ❤️

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This was my first book by this author. And it turns out this is her first paranormal/fantasy book that she’s ever published. Just two newbies vibing with one of my fave genres!

Here’s what I loved:
🖤 While I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as romantasy, I did enjoy the otherworldly elements found within the plot. Think dreamscapes, demons, shadows, and a never ending battle for goodness. I’m a sucker for ALL OF THAT.
🖤 Can we say forbidden slow burn friends to lovers romance? SWOON! The way these two have pined for one another is adorable af. This is one of those rare cases I almost wish the tension hadn’t ended, lol. Call me a fiend for that “will they or won’t they” vibe.
🖤 THAT ENDING! Gahhhh! What a cliffhanger! But you know what? I’m excited to learn more about Pax’s background and more of the lore behind the otherworldly aspects of the book. We spent a lot of time in the “real world” in the first book and I’m HOPING we spend more time in the otherworld in the next!

Just a heads up that the author does alternate between first person (real world) and third person (dream world) POV and while I don’t particularly prefer one over the other it was a bit jarring to unexpectedly encounter both in the book, lol.

Additionally, I would say that the FMC’s POV definitely lends itself to more of an “upper YA” reading experience.

This book has the makings of an engaging series and I’m looking forward to seeing how the next book adds to the plot and character development.

Overall Review: 4.5/5

Visions of Darkness immediately captured my attention from the very first page. We are transported to a world where there are humans, and then there is a group that are just a bit...more. These are the Laven, and they have special powers. Every night, they are transported to their own world, where they fight off the demons that plague humanity. It is a story into how our minds work, and what darkness actually directs our depraved thoughts. And I love the idea of this book- that there is a group that is trying to save us from ourselves.

We follow the story of Aria and Pax and their journey to save the world and each other. I absolutely LOVE how A. L. Jackson used the dual POV to really give us insight into how Aria and Pax complement each other. The book is heavy on the fated soulmates trope, and gives a large amount of "will they or won't they" moments. The angst we see from both characters made for a really enjoyable read.

With that, however, I got very confused and started to question my own reality halfway through😂 For a second, I was unsure who was real, what was actually real, was the Laven's world real vs. imaginary... there was even a point where I was waiting for a "and then the lamp started to look funny" moment! Iykyk. And the cliffhanger?! I'm suing for emotional damage! While I was confused in the middle of the book, I'm still 100% hooked and cannot wait for book 2!!!

Find yourself a best friend who will do absolutely anything to protect you…even go against what’s been taught to you for years.

Oof Pax is my kind of guy. I absolutely loved every bit of his protective nature & pure love for Aria….although he fought it for a bit 😉

…um that ending Miss Jackson! I need more Pax & Aria asap!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

They meet each other in their dreams and are never to meet in the human world, but when Aria is taken to a mental health facility due to her parents, Pax needs to find her in the real world and save her.

Bad things made of nightmares and intrusive thoughts gather in the Faydor where a select few from the Laven family meet while dreaming to battle them.

When Arias parents see the battle wounds from her dreams, they think she’s harming herself and send her to a mental health facility 4 days before she turns 18. Pax knows what he has to do to save his Nol (soulmate in the dream world).

A roadtrip in the real world doesn’t leave for much world building time for the other world, Tearsith and the dark Faydor world.

At 60% it started getting repetitive, drive, eat, sleep and try not to touch or talk about feelings. The book has an open ending, that means there will be more Aria and Pax in a future book.

Thank you to Valentine PR, NetGalley and the author for an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Visions of Darkness by A. L. Jackson 🖤
Darkness, Book 1
Series

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
NA • Romantasy/PNR
ARC Review
380 pages
🗓️ January 7

🖤 urban romantasy/PNR
💜 forbidden love
🖤 friends/mated partners to lovers
💜 on the run together
🖤 touch her and 🪦
💜 morally gray MMC
🖤 dual POV

📍“Make no mistake, I would break every f rule in this world and in that one to keep you safe.”

📍 “I will always come for you.”

📍 “I’m the last person you should see that way.”
“You’re the only person I could see that way.”

One of the most unique romantasies I’ve ever read. The premise will blow your mind and I’ll be here, watching you unravel it with a smirk of “I told you so” on my face.

A.L. Jackson stepped into the fantasy romance/PNR genre with a full entourage of incredible characters — Aria must be protected at all costs —, an unique “magic” system and an array of unforgettable swoony moments.

I was so consumed for this story that I didn’t fully realize that maybe… probably… we wouldn’t get this whole thing resolved in one book. And there it was… the most glorious cliffhanger that has me begging for more 😱😱😱

Thank you so much for this ARC.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 -- 4.5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5

"He’d heard me. Through time and space, he’d heard me. When no one else ever had, not even those surrounding me in the day."

I have always loved A.L Jackson's romantic suspense books so when I saw she was writing her first Romantasy, I knew that I HAD to read it!! I completely enjoyed this book!! I loved the concept of the story and how unique it was. I loved the bond between Pax and Aria and how they would do anything to protect the other!

“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 f*king wrong. Because there’s you, Aria. There’s you. And there could never be anything more beautiful than that.”


🖤 Romantasy
🖤 Amazing storyline
🖤 Forbidden love
🖤 Magic
🖤 Slow burn
🖤 Touch her & 💀
🖤 Good vs Evil
🖤 Two world collide
🖤 Virgin FMC
🖤 Fated Mates

This book was *chef’s kiss*! A unique, addictive fantasy romance that had me hooked from the start. The fast pace, gripping action, and immersive world-building kept me glued to the pages. The idea of entering a different world while sleeping? I’ve literally dreamed about that my whole life (though I wasn’t hoping for something as violent as Aria’s world, haha).

The switch from first-person to third-person depending on the reality was *brilliant*, really emphasizing the difference between the two worlds. The lore kept me intrigued, and even with all the unanswered questions, it only added to the mystery.

Pax and Aria’s relationship was intense, fast-paced, but felt real—not insta-love. The emotional rollercoaster had me hooked, and their connection was magnetic. The dual worlds concept was amazing—what happens when they start to collide?

I devoured this in one sitting, and now I can’t wait for book two, especially after that *cliffhanger*. The magic, the world-building, and the characters were all so captivating. If you're new to fantasy, this is a perfect start—you’ll be hooked from the first page! Can’t wait to see what happens next!

This was such a unique and exciting storyline and world. I was captivated by it. I found it to be pretty fast paced and the action kept me so invested. The whole concept of entering a different world while sleeping is something I’ve literally thought about my entire life - when I was little I used to wish for that to happen to me lol. (Obviously I was always hoping for a… less violent world that Aria goes to in this story though)

My only real hang up was the MCs being young. It definitely took me a little while to get used to it, because my personal preference is older characters. But in the end, I think them being younger was actually necessary for the story.

Definitely excited for more of this world!

I really enjoyed the concept behind this story, and think this would make a great movie or series, but overall feel that the execution was just missing something.

We follow Aria and Pax - two young people who travel to another world while sleeping where they fight against some sort of darkness. Their fighting abilities should only be able to be used while in this other world/realm but Aria soon finds she is able to use her powers/abilities while awake in the mortal realm which causes her to be in immediate danger.

I found the other realm to be interesting, but also a little confusing. The slow burn and romance between the two main characters was good, but again I also got frustrated with the MMC quite a bit.

Overall a decent read, I am just not 100% sure if this book is for me.

I was so excited to get a chance to read this early. This book was SO good. The idea of a separate world in which a select few fight evil entities in their sleep sounded incredible, and it was. Getting to experience Aria and Pax's waking worlds as they slowly connect and also their sleeping worlds where they fight together was so fun. But that's not to downplay the dealing with heavy & dark topics. This book does an excellent job of that.

The idea of the dark entities plays into mental health and the demons that plague us, some worse than others. I thought it was an incredible representation of that - and made it so relatable to villanize the negative thoughts associated with mental health as these "dark entities", rather than a self-issue. It made the story really interesting and not just your typical "fantasy".

Pax and Aria's relationship is a slow burn, for sure and I loved the tension between them.

I cannot wait for the second book!

“She was my perfection. My ecstasy. My completion.”

Vision of Darkness by A.L. Jackson is the first book in her new romantasy series, Darkness. The blurb immediately drew me in, which is why I applied for the ARC. I was captivated by it from the start, as it’s so different from what I’m used to reading.

What can you expect?
✨ Fated Mates
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🌟 The Chosen One
🏃‍♀️ On the Run
😈 Morally Grey Hero
🌌 Two Worlds Collide
🛏️ Only One Bed
🔥 Ultimate “Touch Her and Die” Protector

4⭐ | 2🌶️

“He tasted of dreams and possibility. Of need and desperation.”

Synopsis: 
Aria Rialta leads a dual existence: one in her waking world and another in the nightmare realm of Faydor, where she battles the Kruen—creatures that spread sin and chaos to humanity. Her only ally is Pax, her lethal soulmate whose touch is deadly. As Faydor’s dangers begin to seep into her waking life and the Kruen close in, Aria and Pax must break the rules to survive. Their forbidden connection grows stronger as they uncover Aria’s hidden powers and face an even greater threat on a perilous journey to protect both their worlds.

“There’s no price I wouldn’t pay for you, Aria.”

My Thoughts
:
This book was unlike anything I’ve read before. While I’ve explored romantasy before, this story felt completely unique. It was captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it!

Aria lives between two worlds: her waking reality and the nightmare realm of Faydor, where she fights the Kruen—beings that thrive on spreading chaos and sin. Her Nol (soulmate), Pax, is her fiercely protective and morally grey ally. As the dangers of Faydor creep into her waking life, the lines between the two worlds begin to blur. Together, Aria and Pax must break sacred rules to survive, even as their forbidden bond deepens.

Since childhood, Aria knew she was different. She tried to share her experiences with her family, but when unexplained injuries began appearing at age 16, her parents believed she was mentally unstable and imposed strict measures to "fix" her. Aria planned to leave her family after turning 18, but unforeseen events forced her to change her plans.

One of Faydor’s unbreakable rules is that soulmates cannot contact each other in the real world. But when Pax senses Aria is in danger, he defies that rule to protect her, setting their thrilling journey into motion.
Pax helps Aria escape the Gnorl—a powerful Kruen bent on destroying her as her dormant powers awaken. Together, they are on the run, uncovering the truth about Aria’s abilities while evading relentless pursuit. At night, they return to Faydor to continue their fight and search for the answers they need to stop the enemy threatening her life.

I adored the bond between Aria and Pax, even in the waking world. Their connection was undeniable—they knew they couldn’t truly be together, yet they couldn’t deny their fate. Pax’s fierce protectiveness was heart-melting, and Aria’s sincerity about her feelings made their dynamic even more compelling. Slowly but surely, their feelings flourished, and although it’s a slow burn (it takes about 80% of the book for them to act on their attraction), it was worth the wait.

Aria is 18, and Pax is 22. She wanted her first everything with him, which may not sit well with readers who dislike age gaps or younger heroines. Personally, I loved how gentle Pax was with her during their moments of intimacy—it felt respectful and genuine.

The book ends on a cliffhanger! What?! Now I’m anxiously waiting for the next installment to uncover more about their world and what comes next in their story. If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR.

Thank you to Valentine PR and A.L. Jackson for the advance copy!

The concept of jumping between a normal world and a dark, monstrous realm that affects morals in the real world was fascinating—especially since the chosen ones can only enter through their dreams. It’s such a unique twist, and I really enjoyed it. Aria’s emotional journey, dealing with the trauma of her gifts, was so touching, and Pax was the ultimate morally gray hero—willing to protect her at any cost. I loved the world-building and history but wish we got more details. The ending left me with questions, and I’m excited for the next book!

This was such a unique and intriguing Romantasy! I loved the fact that they were fated from the very beginning, so we got a lot of romance and romantic moments (which I loved). I also thought the world was so unique. I’m not sure that I have read of a world like this one! Without giving too much away, I will say that it ended on a cliffhanger and it made me really excited to read the next one!

I took one star away just because I felt like there could have been slightly more world building in the first half of the book. But overall I really enjoyed it and recommend it!

DNF

I gave up on this one around the 22% mark because I just couldn’t keep up with what was going on. The story felt all over the place—one minute it’s in first person, the next it’s in third. It made everything so confusing, and I couldn’t stay invested.

The world-building had potential, but it didn’t really work for me. A lot of the lore was dumped on the reader, which made the pacing slow and dragged things out. Instead of letting me explore and understand the world naturally, it just threw info at me, and half the time, I still didn’t know what was happening.

I really liked the idea behind the story—a main character living in two different worlds (one awake, one asleep) sounded so cool, and I love a good romantasy. But but the execution just didn’t do it for me. I wanted to love it, but I couldn’t get into it. If you’re patient with complex writing and don’t mind info dumps, you might have better luck than I did!

I am not a “fantasy” or “romantasy” reader…that said…I am a huge A.L. Jackson reader! I devour her books! So, when approached with the opportunity to read Visions of Darkness, her new romantasy-read…I jumped at it! But unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. There were parts of it I enjoyed, but there was more I didn’t.

I thought the overall writing was good, I could see some of the poetic consistency that the author has in her other books. The descriptiveness made the characters and the setting very vivid. I did like the “portal” of falling asleep brought them to the other world, and wow…bringing the injuries into their real life was really neat. But there were parts that lagged to me, I didn’t feel much of a connection between Pax and Aria, and if the brief romantic parts were removed…it would almost seem like something that would be more YA.

I am giving this a 3.5 star rating (rounding up to 4)…not meant in a bad way at all. If you like fantasy/romantasy or maybe YA reads, I would recommend you give this a try and would be interested to see what you thought of it.

Aria Rialta is living the dream.. Sadly not in the way you think. Since she was a little girl, every night, Aria goes to Tearsith while she is asleep. There she spends time with people who have her silver eyes and she is always with Pax, the boy of white hair and kind eyes. Her parents at first think it's a cute "imaginary friend" situation, but they grow concerned as the years pass. Things go sour for Aria when she turns 16. That's when a Laven becomes a warrior and starts fighting the Kruens, who plague mankind. The problem is that Aria's body brings the wounds suffered in the hands of the Kruen to her "real life" in Albany, NY.  That gets her institutionalized for "hearing voices and harming herself" for a while.  Now she just lies. 

Pax has known forever that he's Aria's Nol, a soulmate and protector. He loves her above all things, but they can never meet "while awake"- it's forbidden. But when Aria is forced into a mental institution again two days shy of her 18th birthday, he throws caution to wind and goes rescue to the love of his life. 

Wow! This is Amy's romantasy debut and what a ride! I enthralled by the worlds and how she mixed urban fantasy elements with paranormal. 

I loved this one! The romance is there (the pining, oh the pining!) and you get sucked by the fantastical elements into the dream world. The balance between the suspense, fantasy and the smoldering slow burn between Aria and Pax is just amazing. 

It doesn't end in a cliffhanger, but it leaves the door wide open for more adventures. I can't wait to go back to Tearsith!

Thanks, Amy and NetGalley for the audiobook and the ebook.

Content notes: violence, gore, forced institutionalization in a mental ward, mentions of self-harm and attempted suicide

what a ride, y’all! ALJ takes on romantasy and when I tell you there is no rest for the weary, these two soulmates go *thru* it. 😮‍💨🖤

Aria is a heroine on the run with one foot in reality and the other in a world that exists only in her dreams. it’s there where Pax is always waiting for her, intent on protecting her from the dangers that lurk to invade and consume the mind. due to the nature of her gifts, Aria is thrown into a psychiatric facility where, in classic ALJ style, the intrigue/action takes off! this has the thumbprint of ALJs writing style that we all love mixed with the unique otherworld she’s created! it’s especially unique in that there’s a switch from 1st POV in reality to 3rd POV in her dreams. the suspense is high and the spice is a surprising slowww burn, but the audio made it easy to fall away into their story! …and that cliffy at the end has me eager for the next one!

She glanced down at the new wound that marred her skin. She tried not to focus on it too much, instead breathing through the throbbing pain. She had a job to do, an evil to stop. The world was counting on her, but the weight she was carrying was becoming too much.

Visions of Darkness is a dual POV fantasy following Aria and Pax. Both are meant to protect the world from the evil that lurks in the realm they visit in their unconscious state.

The story of this one was really good, but I think I would have liked it even more if we would have gotten more information and world-building. I feel the reader is just thrown into the story and a stronger background into the evil the characters were fighting and a deeper dive into their connection would have made this book even stronger. That being said, this was an entertaining read and I definitely want to see how the series continues!

If you like dark fantasy, forbidden love, battles between good and evil, then I’d check out this one!

I have never read a Romantasy because it never sounded like something I could get into. But when I saw A.L. Jackson wrote one I knew I would try it. If anyone could get me to like it she would be the one to do it. Let me tell you she DID IT!! This was a great book. I couldn’t believe how fast I read this one. The story and the characters were well written.

Aria is a girl of two realities. One she was born into and one she was chosen for. Both are a threat. When Aria falls asleep at night she enters the nightmare world of Faydor to fight a war. t’s her calling to help destroy the Kruen, who feed sin and chaos to our everyday world of vulnerable humans. While she is there she has a soulmate and his name is Pax. They are only to be together in that world though.

Pax knows Aria is trying to fight the Kruen hard in Faydor but he also knows she struggles in her real world as well. When she ends up instituted because of her parents he senses her danger and goes to her in the real world. That is very dangerous and puts them both in extreme danger. As they embark on this journey together Aria will find powers and learn more information about Faydor and herself.

This book was so entertaining and a real page turner. Pax will have you swooning and smiling like crazy! He has such a big heart and truly cares for Aria. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I'm itching to find out what is going to happen next because that ending I didn't see coming!!

I would definitely recommend this book! Even if you aren't into romantasy you will be after reading this book!

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.