Visions of Darkness was unlike any Romantasy I’ve read before - and I LOVED it for that. It had all of my favorite tropes: fated mates, forbidden love, and an irresistible hero whose touch could kill.

The dual-reality concept, blending modern life with the dark, war-torn realms of Tearsith & Faydor was so immersive and fresh. Watching Aria navigate these two worlds - the one she was born into and the one she was chosen for - was gripping from start to finish. The slow-burn romance between Aria and Pax was PERFECTION. It was deliciously torturous in the best way. When those floodgates finally burst open, it was worth the wait. The world-building was rich and atmospheric - making the creeping tension between realms feel so real. Aria’s struggle with her hallucinations bleeding into the waking world added an extra layer of suspense that kept me on edge.

Overall this story had me hooked with its high stakes, sizzling romance, and unique take on battling inner & outer darkness.

This was so so good!
The characters are so cute and they deserve each other! I love this author and everything she writes

The start of a dark romantasy series from AL Jackson, an author I love when it comes to her usual contemporary romance, but unfortunately, Visions of Darkness just didn’t do it for me as the story featuring Aria Rialto alternated between her life with her family during the day where she was just an average girl albeit one with suspected mental health issues to the dream world….. or rather nightmare world of Faydor where she spent her hours of sleep battling the Kruen, beings who fed off the sins and cruelties carried out by humanity. In this world she had a soul mate, Pax, but they were forbidden from meeting in reality as it would be catastrophic but when the line between Aria’s two worlds blur and her parents have her committed, Pax would do whatever he had to, to rescue her.

For me, the overall flow of the story felt slow, and I struggled to finish reading this book. Its plot was ultimately about a battle between good and evil with the scales balanced in favour of evil as the fate of world rested in the hands of a handful of people barely out of their teens and who received no appreciation for what they did night after night because everyone thought they were mad. There was nothing engaging about it and I didn’t even care that it ended in a cliffhanger. I can't help but feel Visions of Darkness was geared more towards the YA market, whether that was because of the ages of main characters I don’t know. I do know I just didn’t care what happened to Aria or Pax so its not a series I will be continuing.

"sʜᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴍʏ ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴍʏ ᴇᴄsᴛᴀsʏ. ᴍʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛɪᴏɴ."

OH MY GOSH..... WHAT DID I JUST READ!!! I'm not a Romantasy reader. In fact, this was one of my first books, but Amy is one of my favorite authors, and I'll read anything she writes, so read I did and to say I was consumed by this story is an understatement!!! As I was reading, I felt like I was watching a movie. I could see it all play out, and that is what made me fall even more in love with this story.

"ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʜᴀᴅ. ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴠɪsɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʏ. ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ. ᴀʟʟ ᴏғ ᴍᴇ, ɪᴛ's ʏᴏᴜʀs.”

Aria and Pax may have been a forbidden love through the eyes of their Laven family, but in their hearts, their love knew know bounds and that they were fated to be together. The evil these two endured was small in comparison to the scars upon their bodies from the evil they fought to save those in need. Watching the bond and love between Aria and Pax grow was a beautiful journey that I didn't want to end.

"ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴡʜᴏ ʜᴀᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʟᴇғᴛ ᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏɴ ᴍᴇ. ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴀs sᴄᴏʀᴇᴅ sᴏ ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ɪɴsɪᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪғ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴘᴏssɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇxɪsᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʜᴇʀ. ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴏɴ ᴍʏ sᴏᴜʟ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴsᴄʀɪʙᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴇɪɴɢ."

Holy hell, that ending, ahhh, I need more!!! I'm excited to see what happens next. Bring on book two!!!

Visions of Darkness is book 1 of the Darkness series by A.L. Jackson. This is a new type of book for this author and I don’t normal read fantasy romance but as usual this author outdid herself. This is Pax and Aria’s story. I loved this mix of real life and dream world. There is lots of mystery and action that keep you hooked. I really loved this book and can’t wait for the next one.

4.5 Stars

Imagine going to sleep and waking up in another world where you are one of the chosen to fight dark entities, along with your soul-chosen partner. That is the story between Aria Rialta and Pax Morrison. A.L. Jackson delivered a thrilling dark romantasy of sacrifice and forbidden love that had me in a complete chokehold.

A.L. Jackson's introduction of the worlds of Tearsith and Faydor was very descriptive, and I was drawn into the contrasting landscapes. My heart beat erratically as Aria struggled with the aftermath of her battles and the growing tension with her parents in her waking reality. I felt her devastation and hopelesnness at being misunderstood. Enter Pax. This man was lethal when it came to Aria, and I was here for it.

I loved the connection between Aria and Pax, which could not be denied even as they struggled against their undeniable attraction. There was so much tension and angst, and A.L. did a wonderful job of portraying their forbidden romance, making their intimate moments that much more intense. I loved the way they were both willing to break the rules for each other and face whatever may come.

This book had me enthralled, and the twists had me on the edge of my seat. And that cliffhanger left me in utter shock. The next book can't come soon enough.

This book delivered all the shadowy, possessive MMC vibes, reluctant hero moments, and star-crossed lover tropes in the best way possible. The connection between Pax and Aria is so expertly written and had me falling for these two characters. I’m a sucker for the “I would do anything for you” trope, and this story delivers it perfectly. Beyond being an incredible romantasy, the audiobook narration was absolute perfection! If you’re a fan of One Dark Window with added spice, then this book is a must-read.

*Thank you to A.L. Jackson, Montlake and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Truly blown away by this book. This book has one of the most unique plots Ive ever read. Read the blurb because I am certain I cannot explain the premise and do it justice but in short, this is a modern romantasy book with a twist that had me hooked from the prologue. Aria and Pax are mated & spend their sleeping hours fighting evils in the human realm, with no contact while awake.

AL Jacksons writing is perfect for fantasy in my opinion, her usual flowery writing style flowed super well for this book.

Pax and Aria have such a beautiful relationship, the take on fated mates was one I havent read and I ate up. the longing and angst these two had, it was so sweet. The spice was minimal but very similar to how she usually writes it.

Pax is perfect, like so scrumptious if you love a grumpy, broken male main character with a serious protective streak. & Aria our misunderstood but strong female main character was the perfect mixture of soft and strong!

I couldn't put the book down and I cannot wait for the next one ( that cliffy is going to haunt my dreams). There were a few moments that the story dragged just a bit to long for me personally but other than that I have no complaints.

This is also a perfect romantasy book if you prefer light spice!

4.5/5 stars
1 spice

Forbidden love
Modern fantasy with a twist
Protective male main character

"I was created to take care of you Aria, and I would never turn on you"

"You were the truth inside me when I never knew what was real. My hope. The hollow place inside that only you could fill,"

This is the first book by this author I’ve read and I loved it. I can’t wait for the next book.
This is so different from anything I’ve read.
Aria and Pax met as children while they sleep but what goes on is not really a dream because once they grow up they start fighting things the other world they go to. But once they wake up they have proof that it’s not a dream and they don’t have mental illness.
Pax and Aria also look different than the people in the world they live in while awake. They look like those they know in the world they go to while sleeping.
Pax must choose what he’s going to do once he finds out that Aria’s life is in danger. Will he defy it all to join her in the daylight to keep her safe or listen to those that have taught them everything they know about their night world.
This is a must read. I absolutely loved this book and that cliffhanger oh man. I was nervous wondering what would happen towards the end. I can’t wait to find out what happens to Aria, Pax and everyone else.

I think I would consider this more a paranormal than fantasy??? And while that part confused me a bit, the romance was in true A.L. Jackson style and I’d expect nothing less.

Soulmates in Two Realities…

Aria is living in two different realities. By day she's part of the human world where she can't help feeling so different from her normal family and those around her. By night she enters the shadow world of Faydor where she fights alongside others of her kind to protect unsuspecting humans from the Kruen who feed thoughts of evil and chaos into their minds.

When she wakes up from battles baring the scars and injuries from her fights, her parents think she's hurting herself and losing her mind. The one true good thing she has to hold onto is her soulmate and partner in this shadow war, Pax. They are forbidden to meet in the waking world. But when Aria is in danger Pax is more determined to find and protect her than he is to follow along with rules that make no sense for them.

Together they take on a cross-country journey to put distance between them and those out to get them. But there's a darker more powerful force in Faydor working to come after them in both the waking and shadow worlds. As they work to uncover more history about their kind and how to stop those after them, they also find it harder to resist the pull of their soul bond. Aria must figure out what her newfound powers mean and how she can use them. And they both have to figure out what they are willing to risk for each other.

I absolutely loved these two together. The whole concept of these dual realities and their overlap is so good. The fierce and protective bond between Aria and Pax is everything. This is a great start to this new dark romantasy series and I can't wait to see where it goes.

Ok so I don’t normally read fantasy but I absolutely loved pax and aria story.

If you’ve followed this author you know she brings emotional love story, but this one is so beautifully written 😍🥰🥰

At first I was iffy when she switched to this genre because I was so used to her writing other stuff. However she hit this one right on the nail. Was so beautifully written.

Imagine knowing your soulmate you can only see in your dreams you’re never meant to see in person. Imagine by day you’re human and trying to figure life out and hide the wounds you carry. While yearning for your love. Then by night(sleep) your in tearsith where you’re fighting to help keep the human race safe.

What happens when the unexpected happens? Will they. E able to survive?

I loved Pax and his need to protect Aria, if you read Amy before then you should have expected nothing less.

Amy keeps you intrigued with this slow burn emotional story. She did a phenomenal job in this new genre.

She left me wanting so much more.

The way this book sucked me into a new world within our world.

Aria was a girl with what everyone thought was a vivid imagination. When in reality she went to a different world while she slept. She was chosen to help the human world defeat their demons that plagued their minds everyday. It was a lot to ask of a child to keep this world a secret as no one would understand. So when she started to get wounds on her body that she couldn’t explain to her family, naturally they thought she was harming herself and thought she had mental issues with all the talk of her “imaginary friends and world” she went to every night. I wanted to hate her family but I got where they were coming from and they thought they were helping her from a place of love.

I wanted more Pax lol. He felt like he had so much more to give but I know his whole rule in life was to protect Aria and keep her safe. I loved their connection that called to one another. I felt like they needed to cross that line they were told never to cross. I felt that Aria needed to cross it to help her find her strength and that their bond was so strong together she needed it to fight.

But can we talk about that ending!!! Omg I need to know what happens next!
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4️⃣.5️⃣⭐️
🌶️
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
9/10 recommendation

Unique. Captivating. Stunning. Ethereal. Emotional.

Those are just a few of the words I'd use to describe Visions of Darkness, the romantasy debut of author AL Jackson, who I've come to adore the past year. This is a book that's been in the works for a long time for Amy and I just have to say, she truly gave us a story for the ages that I know I'll never forget.

Our MCs, Pax and Aria, are special. When they sleep, they go to another realm and at a young age find themselves each other's Nol (soulmate). In this realm they face darkness. So much darkness. It's their job to be the light. And when they awake, they live their "normal" lives on Earth -- but for each of them, and those like them, there's really never any kind of normal, is there?

It's when worlds collide that our story really picks up -- details I won't spoil but that I was absolutely obsessed with from moment one. The premise of this book is so incredibly unique - like nothing I've read in the genre before. And these characters embed themselves into your heart quickly.

As with any new fantasy/romantasy book, there's some time spent world-building at the outset, which can be challenging to get your arms around, especially if you haven't read the genre before, but I think Amy did an amazing job explaining things in a way that flowed. It was truly like she was not just telling us but rather SHOWING us…a sign of a strong storyteller. I also appreciated that chapters on Earth were in first person dual POV and chapters in their dream state were in third person…a writing device that really helped my brain distinguish between the two worlds.

Our MCs brought all the emotions out in me. I was anxious and unsure at times of what would happen next and my heart raced more than a few times. I was also both heartbroken and excited throughout the book and the journey it takes us on. This one was a big winner for me. In concept, storyline, writing style and execution.

I have been an avid reader of A.L. Jackson for many years and this was a break from her normal genre. Still a great story, just different.
This particular story is about a dark fantasy world.
Aira was born into a human world, but was chosen to fight the Darkness in Faydor with her Laven family. She fights the demons in her sleep with the help of her protector and partner Pax. They have very strong connection and only have 1 rule, to never meet in the awake world.
After Aira turns 18 she finds that she has additional powers and is now a target to the demons. Pax comes across the US to be with her and to help despite all the warnings.
They ignore all the rules and find that they are stronger together, will this last or blow up on them?
This was a good story, even if it wasn't something I normally would have read.
I suggest you give it a try and see if you enjoy it!

I have to start off by saying that Fantasy Books have never been my thing. However, if Amy writes it, I’m going to read it. With this being my 1st romantasy book, I didn’t know what to expect.

Visions of Darkness by A.L Jackson didn’t disappoint. It pulled me in from the start and had me pin and needles the whole time. Which is what I love about Amy writing. The way she writes makes you keep wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens next. There wasn’t much spicy in this story, but it has an amazing story line.

I love the connection that Aria and Pax have in both worlds. I also love how protective he was of her. Pax could feel that Aria was in trouble in the real world and even though he knew it was forbidden to see her that didn’t stop him from finding her. I felt like he would move Haven and Earth just to keep her safe. Like he knew he had one true purpose in life and it was to protect his princess.

You could feel the love that Aria had for her family. She was willing to sacrifice her life, if it meant that her mother and siblings were safe.

Can’t wait to find out what happens next in this world.

I’m not much of a fantasy/romantasy reader, but this one was off the charts captivating. I loved the premise of the story, the world building, the action and adventure, and most of all the characters.
Pax and Aria were in a fight for their lives, both in their dreams and in the real world. Soulmates who were forbidden to find each other, they must protect the humans from the Kruen. When Aria’s parents find her covered in battle scars, they believe she is harming herself so they send her to a treatment facility where things start to spiral out of control.
I was enthralled with this story, and after that bit of a cliffhanger I’m desperate for more.

🖤𝔙𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 - 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔅𝔬𝔬𝔨 𝟏 - ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴🖤

Author: AL Jackson

Couple: Aria Rialta & Pax Morrison

Tropes:
▪️Fated Mates ⁠
▪️Forbidden ⁠
▪️The Chosen One⁠
▪️On the Run⁠
▪️Morally Gray Hero ⁠
▪️Two Worlds Collide⁠
▪️Only One Bed⁠
▪️Ultimate Touch her and 🔪Protector ⁠

Review: AL Jackson did more than just dip her toe into the realm of romantasy with 𝔙𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰! This book had me captivated from the first time we meet Aria and Pax and kept me enthralled until we see them get a well earned and very well deserved HEA at the end. 𝔙𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 had everything I love in romantasy and to top it off Amy also delivers one of the best parts of the book in the form of Pax Morrison - the broody, quiet and uber protective fated mate. His fate and identity had me questioning everything I knew all throughout this book and there were times my heart truly hurt for him and for Aria as I was reading.

𝔙𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 was a different type of fantasy and the way Amy was able to balance Aria as she became entrenched more and more in the fight against evil. This book was truly different than all fantasy books I have read in the past and Amy was able to not only provide an original fantasy but grip us with a meshed version of real and dream since Pax and Aria are fated mates destined to fight alongside one another but also face the fact that they may never meet face to face awake. The concept that Amy introduces in this book put me through the wringer because I constantly was aching for Aria and Pax to reunite while awake but then was also hoping they would find solace together while battling the evil in their sleep. The way Amy drew in the encroaching Evil in the real ‘waking’ as it set it sights on Aria also had me enraptured since I was waiting for the other show to drop as the worlds began colliding.

Aria was a true warrior in this book and was titled “the Chosen One” but Pax was the MC that drew in my attention the most. He embodied what it meant to be her protector and Amy really went all out devoting his character to Aria in this book. Everything Pax did was for her and I felt myself fall in love with him over and over as he battled his way through Kruen and the realm of Faydor by her side. The concept that Pax’s touch can kill anyone by the slightest brush also had me guessing at what Amy would do to keep the angst and tension high as the spark intensifies between them…and I can safely say I was NOT ready for how the forbidden aspect of their romance would play out.

While their romance was forbidden, Pax and Aria had one of the most beautiful connections I have ever read in a darker romantasy. These two embodied the meaning of fated mates and meeting the other half of you soul in a way that left you feeling warm and happy but also angry that they had so many hoops to go through within the ever changing romance between them. Amy was able to capture the soul-deep bond between them in varying ways but the way Pax was always in tune with Aria’s feelings, thoughts and actions had me swooning every time.

𝔙𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 has been one of the best fated mate romances I have picked up in a while. Everything from the fated bond, the soul-deep connection and the way these two seem to be able to overcome each pressing obstacle in their fight against evil while together had me rooting for Pax as the real and ream world began colliding in this book. I know that these two had such a grasp on me that I was sad to end the story but am extremely excited to expand upon the world of Faydor!

𝔙𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 was a step into the Darkness series and I never knew what Amy was going to do next. The world, the magic, the aspect of falling for your fated mate that is the ultimate forbidden love. Everything in this book had me anxious for more and the devastating and pulse pounding cliffhanger at the end left me hoping Amy steps into the Darkness again!

Rating: 100+, Perfection. Sheer utter perfection wrapped up in one broody, uber protective MMC and a fiery, magic defying fated mate bond that captivated me from the first chapter!


Thank you Amy & Valentine PR for the eARC!

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️

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

This is A.L. Jacksons first romantasy book and I really enjoyed it!

It did take a little bit to get into it but once I did I was hooked.

I’m not quite sure how to explain the story without spoiling it but I’ll try.

Aria is just days away from her 18th birthday when her parents discover what they think is her mental illness coming back.

But Aria is special, every night when she sleeps she is transported into another world to defeat evil that is infecting the real world. In this world she has someone who is her Nol, which is basically bonded friend/soulmate, Pax, but they can only see each other in this world. It is forbidden to make contact on the real world, and even more forbidden to have romantic feelings for them ans act on them, it can lead to devastation.

When Pax finds out that Aria is in danger, he breaks every rule to get to her and protect her.

Pax and Aria finally meet and those feelings they’ve tried to ignore become even harder to resist in person. But Aria is now being hunted by a being from their world and it will do anything to destroy her.

Pax vows to protect her with his life. And while running and trying to defeat this being they start to learn more about their world, more than they’ve been told. Realizing that what they’ve been told can’t possibly be true because their connection is so strong and being together is worth the risk if they’re together.

I’m very interested to see where the next book goes, cause while it didn’t end on cliffhanger it definitely left us with unanswered questions and the threat of more danger.

The spice is very minimal in this one, which didn’t bother me as Aria is very innocent and I enjoyed the slow burn tension between them.

I definitely recommend if you enjoy forbidden, slow burn romances with adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this eARC.
I really enjoyed this story! It's unique, kept me fully engaged, and had me feeling all the emotions. It has some heavy content so make sure to take care of your mental health.
Oh to be able to do what they can in this book. The ultimate gift. Ridding the world of all the evil that takes over our minds. I loved this concept so much.
Can't wait for the next one!