This is A.L. Jackson’s first romantasy book, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this intriguing world!! She leaves us on quite the cliffhanger! I thought the premise and the characters were so unique and interesting. I haven’t read a lot of urban fantasy, and I liked how it took place in our real world and another realm. I also loved the powerful connection between Pax and Aria. But that’s all I’m going to say because I think this one is best to go into blind and I don’t want to give anything away!

The narration by Teddy Hamilton and Victoria Mei was fantastic, I really enjoyed listening to them bring these characters to life, and the emotion and intensity that came with it.

Read/listen if you like ⇣
•Romantasy
•Morally Gray Hero
•Forbidden
•Only One Bed
•Fated Mates
•On The Run
•Two Worlds Collide
•Slow Burn
•Touch Her & ☠️
•Dual POV
•Spice

Thank you so much A.L. Jackson, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC!

Visions of Darkness was an engrossing, well-written tale that kept me captivated from start to finish. The plot was unique and we are taken on quite a journey with our main characters Pax and Aria.

The story takes place in parallel worlds, where the characters live in the regular world during the day and at night when they go to sleep, they are transported to another world, Faydor, where they battle with the Kruen - evil spirits that enter the minds of the people on Earth.

The bond between Aria and Pax was unlike any other. Their connection was intense and electric and although they are forbidden from being together in the real world, nothing will stop Pax from going to Aria when she is in danger.

The story is perfect for those now getting into fantasy as the world building is easy to understand. The romance was a slow burn at the start, but picked up in the second half of the book and I really enjoyed watching the love grow between these two.

This is the author's debut romantasy novel and I absolutely enjoyed it. We are kept on our toes throughout each chapter with all the twists and turns and the cliff-hanger ending left me wanting more. I can't wait for book 2 and would definitely recommend this novel.

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton. They did an amazing job and really brought the story to life. Their voices were clear and understandable and they gave each character their own personality and portrayed the right emotions where needed, making the listening experience an absolute delight.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The concept was unique, intriguing, exciting. I was incredibly invested from start to finish! 4.5 stars, can’t wait for the series to continue.

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!!!!

First of all, thank you for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So this is a dark fantasy / dark romantasy, forbidden love, with actions, mystery, and family sprinkled in the plot. The intro base of the plot definitely intrigues me enough to start reading, which the fmc, Aria, kinda have to live a double life where she live normally during the day yet when the night comes, she have to fight the evil in her sleep at the magical world of Faydor.

She didn’t know where and how she got her powers. She also met with her partner & protector there, Pax, whom helps keep her safe in order for her to fight those evil. Things started to turns chaotic when her family committed her to get help when they think she’s harming herself when the wounds she got from magical world appeared when she wakes up, as well as when those evil starting to hunt her reality world as well.

I love how smooth the plot goes, and both narrators totally help enhance the storyline with their narrations. I can clearly see and feel the ambience of the story / plot, as well as the characters and all comes to lives with both narrations. As usual, Teddy Hamilton and Victoria Mei aren’t disappointing indeed, they make such a great pair for narrating.

The pace is alright too I think, with everything else that going on in the story. It does ends with a cliffhanger, which kinda expected since this is book 1 of a series. I hope there’ll be more input in the next book so that I can grasp more perspectives of this first book. Overall, I totally enjoyed listening to this book and the journey. I’m looking forward to read / listen to the next book, I hope it’ll have the same both narrators as well ❤️

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.

In audio, this story is an example of masterful performances by two narrators who always wow me in whatever role they embody. Teddy Hamilton was gritty and embraced Pax’s determination and strength wonderfully. And Victoria Mei stole the show with her passionate and emotional performance as Aria, carrying a large portion of the book.

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.

AL Jackson dives in full romantasy with Visions of Darkness and I loved every bit of it twice with the audiobook! I love listening to stories with voices that feel authentic to the characters and I thought that the narrators worked so well with the story and characters. I thought they added emotion and added onto the tension in moments that felt palpable and as I said before, I loved the different style of writing that she takes on this but I also loved how easy to was to read. It has world building, romance, adventure, tensions, but it's easy to read and doesn't drag. I loved the romance the twists and turns that this book had. It's engaging, fantastic and magical. A. must read for romance fantasy readers! I really loved the audiobook and recommend it. It felt immersive, the stakes and tension felt higher and the light hearted moments and swoony romantic moments felt more intense and I thought it felt like you were in a fantasy romance or a standby in a film. I would recommend listening and then reading or doing both at once.

As I’ve said before, if Amy writes it, I’ll read it. Well, she took me well and truly out of my reading comfort zone with my first ever romantasy. I have edited some fantasy before, but it isn’t usually my go-to for reading for pleasure, so Amy popped my cherry there.

This is a story of two worlds. The modern-day awake world and the fantasy land fighting evil while asleep. Aria and Pax are bonded in a way no two humans ever will be, and they go against convention to battle to their happy for now because who knows what will happen when this series progresses. But for now, they are together and in love.

This is the first time I’ve listened to Victoria, and I really enjoyed her performance. She puts you in the moment, and we feel everything that Aria is going through. Teddy brings the protective side out in Pax and gives us all the urgency that spurs these two from awake to asleep.

If romantasy is your jam and you’re looking for a fresh new world to get lost in, VISIONS OF DARKNESS is definitely worth picking up.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)


A tantalising blend of romance and fantasy with a unique premise . However, despite its captivating concept and chemistry between the leads, the story occasionally stumbles under its own weight, dragging where it should soar.

A.L. Jackson’s Visions of Darkness plunges readers into a dual existence where Aria Rialta, the FMC, battles the sinister forces of Faydor, a nightmare realm where darkness reigns. Her mission? To thwart the Kruen, malevolent entities that inject chaos into the human world. By day, Aria navigates the complexities of normal life; by night, she becomes a warrior in a deadly dreamscape.

This high-stakes duality is both a strength and a challenge for the narrative. The concept is rich with potential, and Jackson’s world-building in Faydor is atmospheric . However, the transitions between the some scenes, and the flow was, in my opinion, quite slow.

Aria is a interesting FMC caught between her duties in Faydor and her longing for a normal life. Her struggle to balance both worlds adds depth to her character, and her growth as she taps into her latent powers is one of the story’s highlights.

Then we have the epitome of the dark, brooding soulmate, Pax is both Aria’s greatest ally and her most dangerous temptation. Their chemistry is intense, their attraction forbidden, and their relationship fraught with tension. Pax’s journey to break the boundaries of Faydor and join Aria in the real world is as perilous as it is passionate.

The romance between Aria and Pax is the beating heart of Visions of Darkness. Their bond is laced with danger, as Pax’s very touch could be fatal. This adds a layer of tension to their interactions, making their longing both a literal and metaphorical slow burn. Very slow burn. The forbidden love trope is well-executed, but there are moments where their relationship teeters on melodrama, which can detract from the otherwise gripping narrative.

One of the most notable critiques is the pacing. The story’s premise promises a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, but instead, it sometimes feels bogged down by extensive inner monologues and dragged out scenes. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to feel the thrill of the action scenes.

Though I will say that the Narrators for the audio book, Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton, bring the story to life with their engaging narration. Mei’s portrayal of Aria captures her vulnerability and strength, while Hamilton’s voice for Pax drips with the perfect mix of danger and allure. Their performances add a layer of depth to the characters, making the audiobook experience richer. The narrators’ chemistry helps to carry the romance, even during the slower segments of the plot.

Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson is a romantasy that shines in its concept and character chemistry but struggles with pacing issues. With a bit more tightening of the plot and a quicker pace, it could have soared to greater heights. As it stands, it’s a solid read for those who enjoy slow-burn romance and dual-reality adventures, with enough intrigue and heart to keep you invested in Aria and Pax’s tumultuous journey.

Loved the narration on this, completely elevated this beautiful story!!

I eagerly anticipated A.L. Jackson's debut into fantasy romance. Was so thrilled she was venturing into a genre that I adore. Was super excited to read this and it definitely kept me captivated.

The prologue sets such a compelling tone that I was drawn in immediately. The intricate but easy to grasp world-building and character depth between Pax and Aria were exceptional and keep you glued to the pages. The palpable tension between our two MC’s was spellbinding. They both battle darkness and face physical and mental challenges in two worlds. As daytime realities unfold, the weight of the contemporary world is on them and as night comes Pax and Aria transition into the realm of Faydor. There they also have their own struggles to survive the Kruen who rule that realm.

What I appreciate so much about this author’s writing is the profound emotion she always conveys through her characters. The slow burn and the angst is tangible. I felt the weight that Aria carried throughout this book, Pax too. If you crave fascinating stories with fated mates, forbidden love, and the excitement of two worlds colliding- you’ll want to pick this book up.

The one thing I do wish was that this wasn’t a cliffhanger; however, the ending was satisfying, leaving me looking forward to what comes next. 4.5/5 stars.

“You are my beginning. My conclusion. My completion.”

This is such a captivating and intoxicating romantasy with such a unique storyline unlike anything I've read before. For being A.L. Jackson’s first book in the fantasy romance world, she absolutely nailed it.

What to expect:
•Urban Romantasy/Paranormal
•Forbidden Romance
•On the Run
•Morally Grey MMC
•Touch Her & ☠️

Also, I just want to say the protective, I will eliminate any threat to you vibes that Pax has….YESSSSS. I am feral for him. The bond between Pax and Aria is everything I crave in a romantasy. I love their chemistry, their connection, their belief in one another.

I lost myself in their journey. The non stop action, the battles they face, all the layers that keep unfolding, the mystery and suspense….I absolutely loved it all. It was all so well laid out and truly such an adventure to read.

This does end on a cliffhanger, but it’s at one of those good points where you’re not wanting to throw your kindle, so don’t panic. Lol. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Pax and Aria.
Kim Francis

I ended up putting this down at 24%. I loved the premise of this book, but the execution was pretty confusing to me.

Visions Of Darkness is the first book in the Darkness series. I don't read many romantasies and I thought this was perfect for someone like me. It wasn't too complex or hard to comprehend and it was set in our world. I loved the storyline and the plot. It was engaging, kept me interested. I loved the 2 worlds and how Amy wove them together. I thought the concept was so cool, so original.

Aria and Pax are great characters. They're well developed and have many layers to them. I loved getting to know them and seeing their relationship evolve. Their chemistry, attraction was absolutely fire.

Overall, this was a great and fun read. The plot is super unique, the characters are great, the magic and world building are easy to understand. It is the perfect book to dip your toes in the romantasy genre !

🎧 The narration by Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton was great. I really enjoyed them together, I enjoyed how they brought the characters and world to life. They kept me hooked and engaged throughout. Great audio !

Ahh, what debut into the romantasy world! I started with the ebook, but then added in the audiobook and did a simultaneous read/listen and I found that even more enjoyable.

The premise behind this story had me intrigued from the very beginning and I only grew more and more fascinated. Jumping between the real world and the world of Faydor, which is a realm that the characters visit in their dreams and fight Kruen, who are essentially entities that speak dark thoughts into vulnerable humans.

I loved this story and these characters so much. I am so here for the level of protectiveness from Pax!! That man would do anything to protect Aria! *swoon*

I absolutely need more from this series ASAP!

This was such an interesting beginning to a series! I had a feeling that AL Jackson would write a very compelling Romantasy, and that is true about this book, if nothing else. I would call this a New Adult Romantasy and I think this is a decent dive into a new style of romance from her.

I was immediately gripped by the struggle and predicament Aria finds herself in. Living a double life. Where in one, she is a High School Senior about to turn 18 and in the other, she is a magical warrior who fights off the Darkness in the land of Faydor. With her Laven family, who train and fight evil together.

Pax is her protector and partner in Faydor. He keeps her safe so she can do her job. But in the waking world they are not supposed to ever meet. Big bad things will supposedly happen and be drawn to them if they were in the same place at the same time. That doesn't keep either of them from longing for each other. Nor does it keep Pax from rushing to Aria's rescue when her earthly family has her committed for the strange wounds they find on her body that look like self-harm.

Yeah, she is in quite the sticky situation.

Now that Pax and Aria are together, how will they ever go back to the way things were, and that becomes even more impossible when enemies begin converging on them. They have their backs against the wall and they don't know what the new power manifesting in Aria really means.

I found parts of this story to be very compelling and the narration performances by Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton really helped with that too. They really kept the story moving. I have always found that AL Jackson's writing sounds the best when it is being performed. It is very lyrical and flows better that way.

However, I did find this to be a bit *too* flowery, with many descriptions using a lot of words to not say anything at times. That may seem harsh, but I feel like after completing this novel, I should know a bit more about what's happening. I'm happy we didn't have too much info dumping, but I have so many questions. I know there are more books coming, and this did end in a cliffhanger, but there should have been a bit more meat on the bones.

Overall, I will continue this series and I am anxious to know what comes next for this pair!

This is one of my very favorite authors. I have a lot of them, but this one is hold, dear to my heart. I’m glad I got to read this one. I love that she offers an audiobook. It makes it easier when driving.

Rating: 4⭐️ | Spice: 2🌶️ | Audio: 5🎙️

What to Expect:
Two Worlds Collide
Fated & Forbidden
Chosen One
Morally Gray Hero
Touch Her & Die
On the Run
Only One Bed

“I would break every rule in this world and in that one to keep you safe.”

Review Title & Vibes:   
{Hello Darkness} my NEW friend.
A.L. Jackson dove straight into a dark and twisted contemporary romantasy with a new adult vibe.

Aria Rialta and Pax Morrison fight each night to rid their corner of the world from evil and chaos of the Kruen. They are fated to battle in the darkness, but forbidden to live together in the light.

It’s an intriguing and slightly creepy storyline - many of the demons tempt humankind’s most sick and twisted monsters. Aria is freshly 18, and has yet to grow into the strong young woman I wanted her to be in this story. But this series isn’t over and I can’t wait to see her mature. Pax struggles with the bond they share for most of the story, but I love his moral gray stance on defeating evil. Nothing will keep him from protecting his “Nol.”

I will definitely be continuing this series.

Audio Notes:
My first audiobook with Victoria Mei! She was wonderful and brought depth and emotion to Aida’s character. Teddy was a perfect Pax - broody, full of angst, and determination to protect. The Kruen’s voices were especially creepy. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

Recommended to...  
Romantasy readers who crave a contemporary demon hunting duo.

Visions of Darkness offers a thrilling blend of dark fantasy, forbidden romance, and high-stakes adventure. A.L. Jackson introduces readers to Aria Rialta, a protagonist torn between two worlds: the waking reality and the dangerous realm of Faydor, where she fights a war against the sinister Kruen. The connection between Aria and Pax, her forbidden soulmate whose touch can kill, adds a layer of tension and emotional depth to the story.

The world-building is vivid, immersing listeners in the haunting beauty of Faydor and the chaos it spills into the real world. While the premise is unique and engaging, some parts of the story felt slightly rushed, especially during action-heavy sequences. That said, the chemistry between Aria and Pax shines, making their journey captivating.


Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton deliver standout performances that elevate the audiobook experience. Mei’s portrayal of Aria is dynamic and heartfelt, capturing her inner strength and moments of vulnerability. Hamilton brings Pax to life with a deep, brooding tone that perfectly matches the character’s mysterious and dangerous nature.

Their ability to differentiate characters through voice is impressive, ensuring clarity throughout the audiobook. The narrators excel in conveying the emotional tension between Aria and Pax, adding layers of intensity to their interactions. While their performances are excellent overall, there are moments where the pacing of the narration could have been slightly tighter to match the urgency of the plot.

The audiobook’s flow is generally smooth, with seamless transitions between scenes and chapters. Mei and Hamilton’s narration makes it easy to stay immersed, even during the more complex shifts between Faydor and the real world. However, some sections felt slightly drawn out, which impacted the momentum in places.

Highly recommended for romantasy fans who love star-crossed lovers and epic battles.

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. 

The audiobook is narrated by Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton in dual style. Victoria's soothing voice gives us a young, vibrant and yet vulnerable Aria. Teddy's performance of the protective, loyal, morally gray and a little broken Pax is perfection. 

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!