This book was so different than other fantasy’s I have read before. From the beginning I was very invested in the storyline. I wish there was more work done on explaining the different world they entered when aria fell asleep, it was a little confusing at times. The connection between aria & pax was so real of full of emotion. I’m very excited to continue the series cause the ending left me wanting more.!

Thank you valentine PR for the ARC.

3⭐️
2🌶️

Look the concept was unique and super interesting, this is definitely a one of a kind fantasy book.

However, is it actually romantasy like it was advertised? I am not 100% sure. Maybe urban fantasy or paranormal? Both?

I am not sure… 🤔

I had a good time reading it, and I was intrigued on what would happen next.

I think the last 30% of the book didn’t deliver and I found myself spacing out and wanting for it to be over.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a honest review so thank to NetGalley ♥️

After taking some time to digested what I read. I decided I do like this book. I thought that it was kind of interesting. I loved the way that it was written for sure, it read like poetry with how lyrically A.L. Jackson wrote the sentences within this book. I think that I like Pax as a character most more than I like Aria. And it could just be that I am a dark romance reader so nothing he did really seemed over the top to me. Anyway I would definitely recommend this book to friends and maybe buy the ALC to hear what the characters sound like.

This was my first time reading A.L. Jackson and I greatly enjoyed the writing style. I absolutely love romantasy books and I appreciated the unique fantasy twist in this book in that the main characters lived simultaneously through two worlds, one in the conscious (real world) and the other in the unconscious (Faydor). I liked both main characters, Aria and Pax, and their dual POV throughout the story that shed light on both characters' perspectives and feelings in their forbidden romance. It was so sad to see the pain each character has gone through, but through it all, their bond was unmatched and their love remained strong. Ugh! The cliffhanger at the end! I need book 2 so badly!

Pax and Aria are the epitome of a fated, destiny-written romance-a love so profound it spans worlds. Their cross-world connection was beautifully executed, weaving seamlessly into the plot and propelling it forward as they raced against time to save Aria.

This thrilling fantasy romance takes readers on an unforgettable journey through two vividly imagined worlds, from the magical realm of Faydor to our own. The love and power shared by Aria and Pax shine brightly in both settings, creating a story that feels epic yet intimate.

From the very first page, this book grabs you with its action-packed plot and unrelenting pace. The seamless world-building and "learn as you go" storytelling keep the momentum alive, making for an exhilarating and fantastical ride.

If you love fantasy romance with fated lovers, morally gray heroes, badass heroines, and the ultimate battle between good and evil, READ THIS BOOK! You'll fall head over heels for the breathtaking realm of Faydor and the unforgettable love story of Pax and Aria. 🖤✨

Thank you to Valentine PR, Montlake and A L Jackson for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

I really love AL Jacksons contemporary romances (especially on audio) but this book just wasn't for me. The premise sounded interesting but the first few chapters were not gripping me. I started this book on December 23rd and I have not had the desire to pick it back up even once. I might give this another try at some point, time will tell.

Rating: NR

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!