This was such a fun read and a great concept. Intrusive thoughts are actually evil spirts/creatures and there is a secret society of people who fight them in sleep. I was so captivated by this idea and that everyone in the daytime world thought our FMC was insane. I really loved the connection between our two main characters and I really hope we get another book that goes deeper into the mystery of why they are told they cannot be together.

I knocked my rating down a tad only because it read a bit more upper YA in the beginning. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book.

"I think you're beautiful. And if I dreamed, I would dream of you."

Ooooo the dangers of this dark romantasy left me breathless as Aria and Pax fought against them every day of their journey while denying their attraction. I loved how unique this story was, and how Pax didn't hesitate to cross realms to save her despite the risk of everything. I loved the magic system and respected the author for bringing awareness to issues such as suicide and mental health.

A fantastic story I won't soon forget!

I absolutely loved Aria and Pax’s story. I can’t even begin to explain how entranced I was with everything throughout- from their time in Faydor, to binding Kruen in Tearsith, to their lives apart that eventually came together on Earth! It was unlike anything I have ever read. I loved the suspense, the adventure, and especially the unmistakable bond that the two of them have. There’s heartbreak, struggle, and anger, but the love Aria and Pax share can be felt beyond that. I loved Aria and Pax’s characters both so much and am amazed at the strength they each possessed to overcome so much darkness. Also, can I just say that Pax is a dream?? The amount of love, care, and support he had for Aria even before they met while awake was overwhelming in the best ways. Overall, definitely a unique story that held my attention and made me fall in love with another fictional character 💖

I found the concept of this world and story incredibly interesting! It definitely felt unique and fresh. I liked how the FMC was both strong and vulnerable at the same time. The MMC was definitely giving morally gray vibes. The dual POV definitely helped me connect better with the main characters so that was great! I also liked the character developments seen throughout the story. The writing style was enjoyable and the story easy to follow with a slower steady pace with still action packed scenes.

I did find that i would have liked to see and know more about this unique world, but the story mainly focused on the real world and the other dimention stayed out as a bit of a mystery for me. Perhaps we get more in the future books? I think there would have been so much potential in the concept of the story but i felt like something was missing, but i do realize its only book 1.

Thank you to the author, VPR ARCS & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

4 ⭐️ | 1 🌶️

A.L. Jackson did the dang thing with her romantasy debut!! 👏🏼 This story was so incredibly unique and I cannot wait to see where this series takes us 😍.

🖤 Romantasy
🩷 Fated mates
🖤 Morally Grey MMC
🩷 One bed
🖤 On the run
🩷 V!rgin FMC

Synopsis: Every night when Aria goes to sleep, she goes to an alternate realm called Faydor where she fights evil behinds called Kruens (who influence humans’ thoughts and get them to do terrible things) with her Nol (mate) Pax. When Aria fights in this realm, she gets hurt and wakes up wounded. Her parents assume she is self h@rming, and admit her to a psychiatric facility. When she finds herself in danger, Pax knows he must break the number 1 rule set, and go meet her in real life so he can rescue her.

I LOVED this plot!!! It is such a truly unique storyline and gave me the same hyped up feeling that I got while watching Stranger Things. The main word that keeps coming to mind is unique. It was a different magic system than I’ve read before, and I loved the premise of the kruen influencing people to do bad, and that the H/h can actually witness this and fight them in a different universe, where they can’t in the human realm.

Aria and Pax’s characters were so great. They both have this shared experience and relationship since they’ve been seeing each other in their sleep for years. But then they meet in person and it’s a whole different ballgame. I love the protectiveness from Pax and also from Aria. Neither character has had someone to take care of them before (not in the right ways) and seeing them find that in each other was so special.

🌶️ This was a slooooooow burn (it’s also important to remember this is the first book of a romantasy series where the focus is primarily world and character building). The TENSION and PINING were absolutely amazing. I loved the push and pull, will they won’t they aspect of this slow burn!

Also worth noting - this story switches between 1st and 3rd person. When the characters are in Faydor, it’s in 3rd. When they’re in the human realm, it’s 1st. I loved this! It made it easier to distinguish what was happening and where they were at.

⚠️ Please check TWs. As mentioned above, the Kruen influence human to do bad things (child @buse, attempted SA, domestic @buse, etc.)

Thank you so much to A.L. Jackson and Valentine PR for the arc of Visions Of Darkness in exchange for my honest opinion! 🖤

I absolutely devoured this one!! I love A.L Jackson Romance novels so I had a feeling I’d love this one too but I was not prepared for how much I actually enjoyed it!

The actual plot and fantasy element I thought were so original, I haven’t read anything quite like it before! It was however the writing style that I enjoyed the most, the way that when they were in the ‘real world’ Amy wrote in first person then switched to third when the characters were in Laven.

The aspect of being fated mates in one realm but unable to be together in another was so fascinating! I thought Pax was incredible, I hated that he’d had such a horrible childhood and it was evident that he’d been alone for so long, I thought the way that his and Aria’s bond was shown as a force so strong they could feel each other when they shouldn’t be able to really made you fall for them as a couple!

My heart broke for Aria, to be so misunderstood by those she loved more than anything! She was the opposite to Pax in many ways but still this just emphasised how right they were for each other!!

I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book and couldn’t wait to see what happened next!! Amy’s first Romantasy was a sure hit for me!

Aria finds herself living two lives which must not intersect. Her days unfold as they would for any person, but the nights take her on an adventure where she enters a different land and is responsible for helping to protect those she cares about.

Pax is her soulmate when it comes to her second life, but he can not be part of her daily life as the consequences could be dire. He was able to honor the boundaries until she needed his help and once that happens life as they know it will never be the same.

The characters draw you in and the connection they share is deep and enduring. The storyline is distinctive and leaves us wanting to know what the future holds for this couple.

AL Jackson diving into the romantasy world is exactly what we needed and I cannot wait for more.

The world that she created is one of a kind and I’ve never read anything like this. Switching between worlds in your sleep is something that feels like it’s from a tale you hear as a kid, but her twists and turns were so much fun.

I need more of the romance between these two ASAP if she continues because I loved them and was screaming at them to get together already through the book.

I love a good childhood friends to lovers and hadn’t read it in a romantasy like this before so I was fully enamored.

You have to go into this expecting a lot of world building and set up and be patient with the storyline. The characters moved at the pace that they had to in order to make the story work.

If you like
- fated mates
- childhood friends
- romantasy
- chosen one
- on the run
- only one bed
- morally grey hero
- forbidden
Then you’ll eat this up 😮‍💨

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ❤️

This book kicks off an intriguing series, introducing readers to Aria Rialta, the FMC. Aria lives a life split between two realities. In the waking world, she lives with her parents and siblings, but when she dreams, she shifts to a fantastical realm called Tearsith. In this world, Aria joins others in battling the evil Kruen, demons who live in Faydor and create havoc with the humans. The Kruen are like sinister whispers, influencing people toward darkness and to do evil. Aria’s main ally in these nightly battles is Pax, her Sol, her soulmate. Since turning 16, Aria has been fighting the Kruen every night, but with a dangerous twist: injuries sustained in Faydor appear on her human body, blending the lines between the two worlds. A strict rule forbids Aria from meeting Pax outside of Tearsith, making things complicated.

Aria’s dual existence creates significant tension, particularly with her parents, who believe she’s harming herself. Despite Aria’s previous attempts to explain her vivid experiences in another world, her mother dismisses it as imagination—until Aria’s injuries can no longer be ignored. Concerned for her well-being, her parents have her committed to a mental health facility. On the brink of turning 18, Aria’s discovery of a severe injury in Faydor leads to her hospitalization and placement on suicide watch. It’s here that Aria uncovers a new power: the ability to remove the Kruen from a human body in the real world.

Pax, ever protective, is aware of Aria’s situation and arrives just in time to break her out of the hospital, going against their rules. A powerful Kruen is now hunting both of them, forcing them to remain on the run. As the two worlds collide, only Aria can hear the Kruen in human minds, and only she has the ability to destroy them outside of Faydor. Pax’s role as Aria’s protector becomes even more crucial as the danger escalates. With time running out and the demon targeting someone close to Aria, the stakes couldn't be higher.

Overall, I loved reading this book. It’s a slow-burn romance with a morally complex MMC, and the bond between Aria and Pax is captivating. Their souls are bound, and they’ll do whatever it takes to protect one another, even if it means breaking the rules. This book ends on a major cliffhanger.

I really enjoyed this one! I was very excited for A.L’s first Romantasy and I went into this not knowing what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed learning Pax & Aria’s story and all about their other world!

Pax & Aria were destined for each other. But only when they’re asleep, and when they’re awake they are not supposed to seek the other out. But when Aria’s parents think something is wrong with her, Pax has no choice but to go and get her.

From the minute they see each other in real life, they know they’re both about to break the rules. Pax tries to fight it and says that once they save her they have to go their separate ways. But come on.. Pax won’t be able to leave her after knowing what it’s like to have her.

These two go on quite the journey! It is a very slow burn on the romance side, but that didn’t really bother me because I think there will be more books in the series so this just sets it all up!

The ending though… Are we getting book 2?!? I freaking hope so because I have so many questions!!!

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions! The plot was very unique. The world building was not too overwhelming. I think the writing at times was a bit too flowery without really having a clear message.

I was so excited to dive into this book, which is the first I’ve read from A.L. Jackson. Visions of Darkness had such a unique storyline to follow, straddling the dreamscape and real world. I was hooked from the descriptive world(s) building, to the magical slow burn romance between Aria and Pax. The characters were instantly likeable and that really pulled me into the story. I cant wait to read more!

✨Read If You Love ✨
Slow Burn
Touch Her And D
One Bed
Morally Gray MMC
Forbidden Love
Chosen Ones
Fated Mates
Two Worlds Collide
On The Run
Dual POV

Heat: Open door, 1.5🌶️

This story revolves around Aria & Pax- soulmates who are united on an alternate plane each night when they go to sleep. They are tasked with battling the evil monsters that exist in this realm, in order to protect the humans, who are ignorant of their existence. But the horrors that Aria encounters as she sleeps are following her to the human world, putting her and her loved ones at risk. Pax is forced to find her in the waking world, which is FORBIDDEN, in order to keep her safe.

This was an absolutely thrilling, WILD ride, that I tore through in one sitting. It was fast-paced, very well written, and highly addictive, with a unique storyline that kept me hooked. It definitely gave me urban fantasy/PNR vibes, which I LOVED, and had a fresh take on classic tropes, like good vs. evil.

I loved the forbidden romance that served as a driving force behind the overall story. The connection between Aria & Pax was so beautiful & poignant, I couldn’t help but be swept away. His desire to find her and protect her, despite the rules to the contrary, made me melt. 🫠 It was definitely a slow burn, and more plot focused, but the spice that eventually hit was tastefully written, and well-balanced with the story.
I definitely recommend picking this up if you’re looking for an action packed fantasy/PNR, with a beautiful love story, and a unique storyline to get lost in. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!

This book had me hooked from the first page and I couldn't put it down.

Fantasy/romantasy is one of my favorite genres, and I was so captivated and intrigued by this story.

There are many layers to this story, and as you all know, I don't want to spoil it out of respect for the author and their work, so these are my general thoughts.

This story has dual realities: it takes place in Tearsith and the modern day, which is so unique. The world-building was very well done. It was detailed and well-developed but not overly complicated. Aria and Pax met when they were young, and have a deep connection from the beginning, even though being together is forbidden. I loved the dual POV, so you could feel and understand their emotions, and the connection ran much deeper than the others. I loved watching their connection grow and seeing their characters develop. The conflict of "good vs. evil" was so unique and I loved seeing how the story unfolded. The ending shocked me and now I have to know what happens next.

I loved every minute of this story. I can't wait to see where this story goes. Whether you are a fantasy/romantic lover or someone thinking about trying out this genre, you will love this story.

This was my very first read by AL Jackson and I was really surprised by this book. First I have to commend A.L. because this was also her first time taking on fantasy, as we all know her for her writing darker contemporary romance. This take on the fantasy genre was really interesting as it takes place in both our modern world and then in a dream realm which was a very fresh and new idea, one that I not seen done before. The character and world building really kept me invested. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.

STORY
⭐ 4.5

SPICE
🌶️ mild (very)

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

WOW! I don’t know where to begin.

If you didn’t know, A.L. Jackson’s “Visions of Darkness” is the first dark romantasy she’s ever written.

The storyline for “Visions of Darkness” is unique and, in my opinion, has a tiny bit of a religious undertone.

This story evolves through Aria and Pax’s points of view and gives peeks into the past, ending with a cliffhanger that left me saying, “What the fuck?”

I’ve rarely read a story structured in both first-person and third-person. If you’ve read the blurb for “Visions of Darkness,” you know there are two realities: awake and in dream state. The structure of the story reflects these two realities.

Aria and Pax’s characters are well-developed, even though they are both considerably young. At the start of the story, Aria is only 17, while Pax is in his early 20s. I also like that A.L. Jackson included the stigma of mental illness and mental illness as a diagnosis when doctors cannot explain patterns in behavior.

The story is a bit slow in the beginning as the groundwork for the plot is being laid down. But once you have a solid understanding of what’s going on, the story starts to pick up.

Despite the story being unique, some aspects seemed familiar, although I can’t seem to put my finger on it. There are also some twists that I predicted and a reveal included as part of the cliffhanger that was unexpected.

“Visions of Darkness” is a pretty solid read. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to the audio version of this story.

If you enjoy dual reality, good versus evil, with morally gray characters, give this one a read. Just make sure you read the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive to certain content. Enjoy!

Thank you, Valentine PR for giving me the opportunity to read and review “Visions in Darkness” in advance.

“Every night when Aria falls asleep, she enters the nightmare world of Faydor to fight a war. It’s her calling to help destroy the Kruen, who feed sin and chaos to our everyday world of vulnerable humans. It would be a lonely realm in which to do battle if not for Pax, Aria’s dangerously irresistible soulmate whose mere touch can kill. It’s also a realm that’s getting harder to escape.”

If you guys are looking for a unique dark fantasy— LOOK NO FURTHER THAN VISIONS OF DARKNESS BY @aljacksonauthor !!🤗

As a girly with a history of being deeply invested in learning about lucid dreaming and with an undiagnosed sleep disorder— This action packed dark fantasy that features dream world sequences was unlike anything I’d ever read but everything I knew I needed!

While this book has all of our favorite fantasy tropes like a morally grey MMC, one bed, and touch her and ☠️, it is DARK fantasy and does contain topics and locations that may be triggering for some readers. (Reader discretion advised)

This was such an intricate, emotional, action packed dark fantasy unlike anything I’d ever read! Visions of Darkness is available for FREE on KU or on audible with dual narrators Victoria Mei and Teddy Hamilton ;)

**VISIONS OF DARKNESS** by A.L. Jackson is finally here! I had the pleasure of reading this dark romantic fantasy early, and OMG, I was in love!

This is so different from what Jackson normally writes, and I just couldn't get enough! I absolutely devoured it!

It was not only thrilling; it was an emotional roller coaster! So if you think romantasy isn't your thing, you're mistaken, and I believe this is the perfect book to test your theory!

You won't be disappointed!

4.25 ⭐️
1.5 🔥
Dark Romantasy
Urban Setting
Dream World
Chosen Ones
Soulmates
Forbidden Love
Touch Her & Die
Cliffhanger
Great on Audio! 🎧
⚠️This book does contain some dark elements. Please check trigger/content warnings.⚠️
Amy’s first Romantasy!! This was such a unique Romantasy & it felt so refreshing to read something so different. Our FMC Aria is of two worlds, the human/real world & chosen to be of the dream world. While in the dream world of Faydor, she fights dark beings called Kruen, that influence humans into dark depravities, but she doesn’t fight alone. Aria’s soul has been bound to Pax, who has been a part of her dream life since they were both chosen. Except, they are not to interact in the human world, because it will attract these dark beings to them, and is said that it would turn themselves against one another. The problem is, the wounds & darkness are bleeding into the real world and Aria’s in danger. So Pax needs to decide if he is to join his soulmate, in the real world & continue to fight together both in the dream world & the real world. They try to fight their connection & forbidden attraction to each other, but that is hard to do when your souls are bonded. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming & I’m so excited to see what Amy does with this series next!

Thank you A.L. Jackson & Valentine PR for the ARC!

When I found out our girl was delving into the romantasy sector I immediately jumped at the opportunity to read this book. I was hooked from the very first page and literally could not stop.

Ever since she was little Aria was different. When she slept she would go to a different realm to learn more about her kind with her Nol, Pax. The Lavern fight in Faydor against Kruen which are beings that poison the minds of those who are already inclined to do bad and influence them into doing the horrible things. While fighting spiritual beings in her sleep takes its toll, Aria wakes up with physical wounds following these battles. Her family, not knowing the truth, believes she is self harming and sends her to get help. Aria quickly comes to realize she’s not safe even when she’s awake as her powers are stronger than anyone could have ever anticipated which makes her become target number one for the evil they’re fighting against. Once Pax comes to her rescue the two embark on a journey that defies all logic, physics, and realms alike.

Both Pax and Aria are such interesting characters in their own ways. I felt like we go so much inner turmoil for both of them about different things. Pax struggling with his feelings for Aria and Aria struggling not only to find out who she truly is but to convince Pax that the connection between the two of them was inevitable and meant to be.

I don’t read a lot of romantasy and this was a fun ride! While some of the terms/ names were slightly confusing at first the premise was easy to comprehend and follow and I really enjoyed this story. This was low spice, high plot and I did not mind it one bit.

Thank you so much to AL Jackson + team for the eARC for review. Congrats on your new journey of romantasy and can’t wait to see what comes next from this world!!