I lived every aspect of this novel, the chemistry with the MCs relationships, the conversations and connections. The book ran very smoothly throughout. I’m such a sucker for forbidden love and this aspect has been written so well.

Tropes:
-forbidden romance
-fantasy romance
-on the run
-touch her and die
-morally grey MMC
-dual POV
-alternate reality
-only one bed
-forced proximity

This was my first novel by Jackson. I have seen her name and books, but I have never had the opportunity to read them. They are on my TBR, though. When I saw she was writing a romantasy, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity to read it. I am so glad I did, too. This was such a unique and fresh storyline.

The plot was intriguing. I loved that it was two different realities that eventually bled into each other. Pax and Aria’s unique situation of only being together in the alternate reality makes their meeting in the human realm more intense. The forbidden aspect made the tension even better. Give me all the tension.

The switching from first to third person in the different realities helped me more easily track where they were and what was happening. I liked it; it was a unique way to keep it straight.

The cliffhanger was craaaazzzyyy. I can’t wait for the next one. This book is available on KU for free, and the audiobook is free through Kindle audio. The narrators are Teddy Hamilton and Victoria Mei.

Quotes:
Make no mistake, I would break every fucking rule in this world and in that one to keep you safe.

I will always come for you.

Aria and Pax belong to two worlds and each other.
By day they are just like you and I, at night they slay the things that go bump.
What an incredible tale Mrs. Jackson has woven, so unlike any of her contemporary books except one very distinct thing. Her hero is loyal, protective, unwavering, and unwavering in his purpose. Her heroine is brave, fierce, humble, kind and always the light to the heroes dark.
These characters were both broken and vulnerable, yet powerful.
What I really loved was all the raw emotion in almost everything they do and it just drips off the page. Whether you're reading inner dialogue or they are speaking to each other.
The imagery and descriptive elements to the story were also amazing it could have been so dark but there was a really great balance of elements.
However I do have to mention this cliffhanger is a bit of a doozy, I as a reader sorta love the torture and think it's absolutely worth the wait. But if you don't enjoy a CH then you might want to just grab yours and wait because it is definitely worth the read.
I have voluntarily left this review.

(Actual: 3.5⭐, rounded up) A fun start to a new world! This is my first work by AL Jackson, so I have nothing to look back on in terms of establishing a baseline, but I do know she previously wrote mostly contemporary romances. All in all, I liked this one! I found the concept of the story being set between both the "real" world and a realm that can only be accessed via dreaming to be very intriguing. However - and maybe this is because this is technically the first book in a larger series - I found the plot to be rather slow-moving at times, which made it hard for me to really get into the story and fully immerse myself in either world. It also I don't think helped that the "moving between worlds" was conveyed by switching from a 1st-person POV to 3rd-person..... yeah, I don't know lol. Reflecting back, I can't say I like that stylistic decision 😅 Regardless, this is still a solid intro for a series and I look forward to what's to come!

This is perfect for anyone who wants a urban romantasy that’s got you questioning what’s real and what’s not! We’re following Aria & Pax who lead unique lives once they’re asleep. They’re protecting everyone from the creatures that invade others minds causing them to harm others. These two work so well together once they’re in the other world but can never see each other in their daily lives. Aria’s life is at risk when she’s being hunted and Pax is racing to find her as he’s done playing by the rules. This was really easy to read and while some aspects of this were a little predictable, I still enjoyed the adventure and getting to know this world!

Wow! I have loved books from AL Jackson before but now this is a whole new genre from her and I am blown away. I can’t want for more from her and she should never stop. Give it all to me please! I need it all and now. This was incredible and I never wanted it to end.

🖤Romantasy
🩷Fated Mates
🖤Forbidden
🩷The Chosen One⁠
🖤Morally Gray Hero ⁠
🩷Two Worlds Collide⁠
🖤Ultimate Touch Her & 🔪Protector
.
“She was my perfection. My ecstasy. My completion.”
.
Review: This is the first book in AL Jackson's new Romantasy series Darkness. I absolutely love AL Jackson's writing, so when I heard she was writing a new romantasy series, I couldn't wait to dive in!

Aria is a senior in high school, but she's not like the other girls. When she goes to sleep at night, she steps into another world. As a Laven she lives in the human world, but at night she slips into Tearsith where she meets up with Pax and together they descend into Faydor to fight the Kruen, trying save humans from the Kruens pure evil. Aria and Pax have known each other for years and have a powerful bond that helps them destroy evil, but they are forbidden from meeting in the human world.

“Aria. You’re every dream I’ve ever had. Every vision in the day. Every hope that I’ve dared to have. All of me, it’s yours.”

I absolutely fell in love with Pax and how he will stop at nothing to protect and care for Aria. He is the ultimate protector!

“I will always find you.”

I loved the connection these two shared and I couldn't wait for more. I thought about these two constantly and needed to know what would happen next. I listened to the audiobook by Teddy Hamilton and Victoria Mei. They did such a beautiful job bringing these two characters and this world to life! That ending! I need more of these two and I can't wait for book 2!

I have entered my romantasy era, and I'm happy Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson was the first book to get the ball rolling. This also happens to be Amy's introduction into fantasy romance as she has written contemporary romance previously.

Visions of Darkness is rather unique to other fantasy and paranormal plots that I've read. Every night, Aria enters the nightmare realm of Faydor to fight a war against the Kruen, these dark and evil shadows that feed violence, chaos, and sin to the world of humans. Each time Aria battles alongside her soulmate Pax, in this dangerous realm, it gets harder to escape. Now her dreams and hallucinations are starting to seep into her waking world, her untapped powers are becoming stronger, and forces more powerful than the Kruen are after her!

Pax realizes he must join Aria in the human world, where they'll embark on a cross-country journey to fight the evil forces hunting them—giving into their attraction is not just forbidden but deadly. Pax and Aria have been destined as soulmates since the beginning, and he will stop at nothing to protect her.

This book was so good and such a great introduction into romantasy reading, and get ready for a banger of a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more!!

What an incredible story..
Very different from what this author usually writes but so good..
The perfect mix of mystery, forbidden love, secrets, dark romance in a fantasy world that never lacks .. intensity..

Thanks to the Author, NetGalley and Montlake for this arc

This one was pretty interesting for A.L. Jackson's first entry into Fantasy Romance. Pax and Aria only meet when they sleep in a different realm of Faydor in which they fight a battle. When they wake up, they wake as regular humans but barring the cuts and bruises they endured from Faydor. A first rule is they must never meet or they will destroy each other. I think things could've been build more on the world building, but by the end I'm interested enough to see where the next book goes.
 
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson is a thrilling and mysterious romantic suspense novel that explores themes of trauma, redemption, and forbidden love. The story follows a woman who is drawn into a dark world of secrets and danger after an encounter with a brooding, enigmatic man who seems to be hiding his own tortured past. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate the shadows of their respective histories while confronting the sinister forces that threaten to tear them apart. Jackson’s writing is both intense and emotional, making this a gripping read for fans of dark romance and psychological thrillers.

Wow! this is different from AL's usual writing and it was such a brilliant start to this new series! I am hooked already!!

I have read it once but ready to read it again as its so intriguing and honestly keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how everything plays out! I am looking forward to see what is going to happen in this series!

Well done AL on a fantastic fantasy must read

2 out of 5 stars
1 out of 5 spice

- NA Urban Fantasy
- dark themes
- nightmare soothing
- fated mates
- dimentions/ dual realities
- some spice
- romance / pining / forbidden

I love A L Jackson; however this story fell short. The world building was lacking in clarity, and density that it needed to have even for urban fantasy. The world dualities, the nightmare world/real world were confusing, not well woven and unclear. However this is a new genre debut for this author so I suspect if she were to pursue this genre more, then we'll get much better stories in the future. The world building just needs to be a lot more explicit, in how it works, what the rules of this world is, what the importance of these characters are within this world - all of that was quiet surface level, these need to be dug deeper.

Romance was strong, as usual with A L Jackson.

Overall, I will continue my commitment to the author, and look forward to reading more by her, but unfortunately on this occassion this particular book did not hit the spot.

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

Did someone say…. Romantasy? 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 by AL Jackson just gave us what is now an obsession!!!! AL Jackson always writes the best romances, but now she added fantasy? YES!!!!

Aria and Pax were everything I needed and more!!! Fated Mates is my weekly!!! I devoured this book on my flight back home!! The ending tho!!!! 😩 I need more!!!!

Thank you so much AL Jackson for this gorgeous PR Box!!! THE BLANKET!!!!! 😍💜

This book is an enchanting dive into a world of fantasy, romance, and danger that will leave you spellbound. The premise—Aria being transported to the magical realm of Tearsith during her sleep to battle Kruens, sinister spirits haunting Earth—is utterly gripping. The forbidden romance between Aria and Pax, the fiercely loyal yet morally grey hero, adds layers of intensity and passion that are impossible to resist.

With a nostalgic writing style, this story is effortlessly addictive. The characters are vividly drawn and easy to love, while the narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat. The chemistry between Aria and Pax is electrifying, their love story brimming with suspense, heartfelt emotion, and just the right touch of danger.

What truly shines is the dynamic between the two leads. Pax’s protectiveness never overshadows Aria’s strength and independence—she’s no damsel in distress. Her resourcefulness and fiery determination make her a standout heroine, perfectly complemented by Pax’s unwavering devotion. Together, they create a partnership that is as compelling as it is refreshing.

If you’re searching for a story to completely immerse yourself in, this book delivers it all—fantasy, romance, and thrilling adventure. A must-read for anyone looking to escape into an unforgettable tale of love and heroism.

A big shout out and thank you to Valentine PR and the author for gifting me with a complimentary copy of Vision of Darkness as part of the blog tour in exchange for an honest review!

The first of January 2025, for me, began with the greatest struggle a bookworm can face: a slump. I was hit by the hardest, most miserable slump (that I miraculously escaped the whole of last year). However, I’m here to say, that I may not be over the slump, but Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson was such a breeze to read despite aforementioned slump.

I kept going back to the author’s page to check if I’ve read any of her other books before because of how comfortably I sank into her writing, but I found this is the first book of ALJ’s I’m reading. My flabber was appropriately gasted. Don’t get me wrong, this book was no light read. It was dark, desolate, painful and lonely. It was written with the perfect tone which then matched the nature of the theme and situations of the characters so well. I know that most emotionally heavy books are harder to get through, sometimes staying with us in ways that we can’t undo. However, the author has managed to bring about the perfect balance between intrigue and emotion. Where ever the emotions are higher, the plot matches the weight. Wherever the emotions are lighter, the plot eases up a little too, allowing for some other elements to showcase themselves. It was the perfect balance and I’m so glad VoD was my first read of the year.

The plot in this book is actually several hundred times more complex that it appears to be. But given as closely linked to the writing it is, it’s done in an extremely neat way. I have said this before and I will say it again: complexity is fantastic, of course it is; but making it simple is the sign of a wonderful writer. I will also add that the plot in this book hasn’t fully revealed itself, however a large part of the theme has certainly been revealed. I will say the story in this book is so wonderfully different and a breath of fresh air, despite the heavier themes it follows.

With each element I write about I realize how closely linked they all are to one another! Which is so fantastic, in my head. For example, the world-building in VoD is closely linked to the plot, the writing and the characters. All three begin from page one and all of them are like three separate threads that are braided into one single emotionally enthralling weave. The world-building is done with extreme simplicity and at the same time without taking away the complexity of the world the author has created. I will agree, again that this book doesn’t wholly reveal everything, but enough to know just as much as we need to and that enough is perfectly done. Whatever foundation is required is laid earlier on and whatever needs to be built upon it comes with time and is positioned at exactly the place that ensures we’re right with the book as the events unfold.

The book alternates between the perspectives of the MMC and FMC and I would say we stay a lot more in the FMC’s mind in the first half of the book (as everything is established) and it becomes a bit more even in its shifting in the second half. While I typically prefer single person perspectives, I loved seeing the differences in the minds and thoughts of the two characters and it adds greatly to the emotionality and tone of the book; and of course the world building. (See what I mean by perfectly intertwined elements?)

The pace was fantastically even for me, though I do think it races towards the end a lot more. The fact that all the elements work so wonderfully with one another is likely what makes VoD the perfect slump breaker.

Five stars! Visions of Darkness has released and is available for free for KU subscribers. As always, please check trigger warnings, there are themes in this book that can be difficult for some. Happy reading!

This was such an interesting premise. I loved the dream world that these gifted or extraordinary humans would visit. The link to the real world and how real that world was to their physical body was interesting. Like if they got hurt their they would be hurt when they woke up.
I loved how negative thoughts and actions were all explained by something from Tearsith, the dream land. The one guy that visited her since she could remember in her dreams that she would draw pictures of and tell stories about that got her admitted. He was the one that came to save her. I’m being vague cause I don’t want to spoil anything.
This was such a wild ride and their magic/power system was so cool!

this was honestly such a good book and i couldn’t put it down. aria and pax’s story was a wild one and i enjoyed every minute of it. aria had to deal with so much while still trying to do what she was born to do and life just kept hitting her hard while she was awake. sleep was her respite and pax was her guiding force. i couldn’t get over the way the story played out and how pax helped aria so much and that he helped her become who she was meant to be. the ending was rude and now i shall wait very patiently for book two to come out because i need to know what happens next! highly recommend this book!

4.5 stars

I absolutely love the world that was created for us to dive into! Visions of Darkness was such a different world than what we are use to seeing from A.L. Jackson and she did not disappoint! Aria and Pax were so well-written and their connection was so intense and heart-wrenching you could feel it coming off of the pages. I envy Aria, she is a fighter through and through! Her strength and resilience throughout the book was so inspiring. She faces so much, yet never lets it break her spirit, and I loved how she handled everything life threw her way.

Pax's unending dedication to Aria really stood out for me. I loved that he followed his heart and went after her, despite the risks involved. Their bond felt so real and the chemistry between them was sizzling even though they had not met yet in real life. The romance was definitely a highlight for me, but the suspense and the growing darkness added so much more to the book.

The way Aria’s dreams seeped into her waking world made the stakes feel even higher, and the world of Faydor was so beautiful. The tension was so strong throughout the book, especially as Aria’s powers grew stronger and the threat of the Kruen got even more intense. The plot twists and the rising danger kept me on the edge of my seat.

My only small critique is that I wish there had been a bit more focus on the world-building in terms of Faydor’s origins and the Kruen’s history. I love the nod to Maria and the history with her husband. With that said, the emotions, the character growth, and the incredible journey made this book a fantastic read. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series!

4⭐, 2🌶️

You ever get off a rollercoater, your hair is all wild, you had so much fun, and someone asks you how the ride was? and then you cant remember anything about it cause it was fun bt so much was happening to process you were just there riding along? Yea thats my general feeling of this book.

I was excited and nervous to read A.L's take on fantasy, because I love her stories but fantasy is very hit or miss for me,. But I'm in a book slump and hoping this would help. Welllll, it didn't take me out of the slump but I enjoyed the story.

WE get thrown STRAIGHT into the storyline and youre kind left to figure out the world building/ magic system within the first few chapters slowly. Which IM GLAD i did as an audiobook cause you girl would have been impatient and confused if I eyeball read this book.

Overall, I liked the story, I loved the childhood partners (friends?) to forbidden to lovers, and the excitement we get hunting down the Kruen, and how that is slowly morphing into the real world was very entertaining.

However, I fall back I was confused a lot with the world building/ magic and that may just me. Do I understand what that cliffy at the end was? Nope. But I sure am excited for the next book. If A.L. writes it, Ima read it. Even if I'm unable to process it >.<

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unpaid review.

**I read this book via the Kindle Unlimited free Audible access. Victora Mei and Teddy Hamilton were phenomenal voice actors for Aria and Pax