This is interesting but it is supposed to be a continuation of a Netflix show. I hadn’t watched the show and so I was totally lost. The book needs some kind of backstory or world building. Great art and colouring though.

I have seen the Netflix series of Winx, but I have never seen the tv-series from way earlier. However, I was excited to read this book. I don't know what people would think about this graphic novel if they are die hard Winx fans, but I really liked this book. The artwork was stunning and the story was good. It was exciting and I was really pulled into the story to read further. I am excited to read more!

For those who was upset that Winx was canceled, this is the graphic novel for you. I went into this hoping it would be a continuation of what I loved in the TV show and I think it did a pretty good job of providing that. It was nice to see the characters I loved so much return and all the adventures they went on. I am excited for the next volume!

This is based on TV series and probably that’s the reason why it felt somewhat lacking – if you have seen the series and expect this graphic novel to continue in the same manner as the series did.
Otherwise, this is a beautiful book and well-made, with nice art and well-written text.

I think it's fair to say graphic novels based on TV series and films aren't exactly always brilliant. Original graphic novels acting as sequels to TV series nobody can be bothered to make any more of aren't that much better. This is one of those, and seems fine – it's just that as someone who's never heard of the source material, this is unreadable. There is literally no allowance for anyone to play catch-up, meaning all the efforts of a predominantly female creative team are pretty much wasted. If you know you need this, you've got it already; if not, steer clear.

Somehow, I completely missed the fact that this comic is not just some supplement or spin-off etc to the series of the same name on Netflix, but a direct continuation. Since I didn't like the series, I, unfortunately, could barely finish reading the comic. In addition, I do not advise you to try reading this volume if you do not remember the plot of the series well, because it was very difficult for me personally to understand what was going on in the beginning.

“Dark Destiny” is a completely original graphic novel written by author Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, and illustrated by artist Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau, the colors are by colorists Dearbhla Kelly and Linden Cahill, and the letterer in charge is Justin Birch. This first volume is considered a continuation, and a direct sequel after the events that occurred in the second season of the youth fantasy show, Fate: The Winx Saga. I really felt extremely disappointed after the fatal decision of the “Netflix” platform due to the cancellation of said series after the broadcast of just two seasons. But happiness returned to me when I found out some long-awaited and magical news; American publisher Mad Cave Studios and its youth label Maverick Graphic Novels had obtained the licensing rights from Rainbow S.p.A. to give life to this new graphic novel that was announced last year, at the event last October at the New York Comic Con 2023.

First of all, I want to offer my thanks to the publisher Mad Cave Studios, their youth label Maverick Graphic Novels, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to have an advanced copy of the story long before the stipulated date of the official release to the public, whose Publication date will be July 31 of this year. It should be noted that the publisher kindly gave me an advanced copy in exchange for offering an honest review. And as always, all the opinions you will find in this review are entirely my own. Firstly, I want to emphasize that the entire creative team that has participated in the development and writing of this graphic novel was never part of the original writing team of showrunner Brian Young, who worked on both seasons of the Netflix series. And from now on I want to emphasize that this whole matter must be taken into account when reading said graphic novel. Next, and, first of all, I want to warn possible and potential readers that the story they will find in those 102 pages is going to take: “new directions and horizons” that I never ever imagined would occur within this franchise. So, as a viewer, consumer, fan, and reader, I want to warn the fandom that there will be changes, many changes. Now, let's go directly to the review, obviously said review will not contain any type of spoiler. To begin with, this has been my first experience reading a graphic novel, and I must say that this book has pleasantly surprised me in some points, and badly in others, but we will break down each point of this review by its respective parts or sections.

1. Start: The beginning of our story is as follows: the story of “Dark Destiny” begins in the prestigious magic school, Alfea, where you can see a promising future for Aisha, but then we go back in time, and We learn that six months have passed since the disappearance of Bloom Peters and the Dragon Flame in the Realm of Darkness. Therefore, a new course has begun at the training school for fairies and specialists, and our five protagonists are still stunned by the loss of their dear friend. I was pleased that the story began its starting point with the plot of the Winx in Alfea, and that Bloom's narrative arc was left aside for its respective later development. Another positive point that I want to highlight is that from the first pages we already have some plots developing little by little: Terra has her own love conflict, Aisha as always is demonstrating her leadership to the whole school, Stella being a good friend with Sky, I liked it. the way she comforts him, and how the fairy of light uses her powers to carry it out.

2. Development, Characters and Plots: During the course of the entire book we will have several plots to develop, something that should be appreciated and emphasized in the work as another positive point, because each character has their own moment to shine and stand out. some more than others, it is worth mentioning. And having such a varied group of characters, I like that throughout the story there have been spaces dedicated to each of them. Although as another negative point, throughout my reading I felt that a certain couple had several extra panels to develop their narrative arc, and that instead of reflecting moments of sweetness in the romance section, they caused a great opposite effect on me; Its plot didn't really contribute to the main story, and each time I felt that this couple wasted pages that could have been used in a better way to explain a little more about the functioning of the Other World. But, as the story progresses in other directions, we will also meet some totally new and original characters planned for this new chapter of the story; characters that were obviously never planned to be part of this franchise, but here they are being introduced by the writer, surely due to creative license issues. From my point of view, and as another negative point to take into account, the characters that should have been present in this story from the first pages are really conspicuous by their absence, and the worst of all is that the author does not give us no explanation as to why they were completely omitted from this first volume. Now I want to talk a little more about Bloom, because in this graphic novel he will resume the role of protagonist in this first volume. From my point of view, the author portrayed Bloom's character with certain similarities to her animated counterpart, based on the decisions she will make throughout the course of the graphic novel. As fans of yesteryear will remember, the Dragon Flame fairy, during the course of the entire animated series, in some seasons, the character had a tendency to run away from her own problems, if they were to arise in her narrative arc. And the situation is similar in the story presented by the author. After all, Bloom is still a teenager.

3. Cohesion and Coherence: Likewise, I must mention that, as another negative point, the author has made modifications to the story (I will not say which ones so as not to spoil the reading for future fans) but that in one way or another they will affect the canon of the entire franchise. And it is because of this section that my rating of the entire graphic novel in general is going to decrease considerably. Unfortunately, this graphic novel was promoted from the beginning as “a direct continuation” of the events of the Netflix series, and frankly I have not felt that this story has been a direct continuation of all that information that the viewer of this franchise has already learned. known in advance through the two seasons. Rather, from my perspective, this graphic novel felt like some kind of soft-reboot. It seems to me that the only plot that the author rescued from the original series (broadly speaking) was everything that revolved around Bloom, her mother Marion, and the Kingdom of Darkness, at least from my perspective.

4. Denouement (Ending): Now, I want to talk a little more about the ending. I feel very confused about this ending, because, from my point of view, this first volume did not present me with an ending. But rather, it left the story completely open to me to develop new plots in a second volume. But the story feels pretty unfinished in my opinion. But even so, I note that the author kept a character from the original lore of the original animated program, I won't say which one so as not to spoil the surprise. But we will have someone that old Winx Club fans will surely remember.

5. Artistic Style: Although at first I did not like the illustrations of the artist Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau because I felt that her artistic style would not fit at all with the dark atmosphere of the Netflix live-action adaptation, I must highlight I think I understand the reason why the publisher chose her as the ideal illustrator for the project. Because, once you start reading the story, the illustrator's artistic drawing style really becomes more and more familiar. The illustrations very easily evoked for me the expressions and feelings that the characters wanted to convey to the reader. I would define the author's illustrations as “extremely adorable and tender.” Anyway, a panel that was extremely pleasant to appreciate, at least for me, and the said panel was the one when the Winx were gathered in their suite having a normal conversation, and in said panel each of them was telling him their problems to the other. The coloring by artists Dearbhla Kelly and Linden Cahill gives the reader warm and welcoming feelings, especially in those panels where the element of fire gains its presence within the story. And the fact that the inner thoughts were contrasted in other tones was a nice touch by the lyricist.

6. Conclusion: Well, below, I will present my final thoughts and conclusions. So, if you are interested in reading this graphic novel, the best thing you can do is give the Netflix series a chance, or else take a look at the two novels linked to the series that were published in previous years. Because obviously the graphic novel will take up certain elements that were previously presented to us on screen. Although I must warn the future reader of the following: some events, characters and plots were evidently forgotten. Anyway, right now I'm looking forward to more news about the next volume that will go on sale next year, more than anything to discover how the author and her creative team are going to continue covering the story of Fate: The Winx Saga henceforth. At least, to know if there will be future plans to correct the enormous fallacies that were in this first volume. But before I finish with this review, I want to make it clear that, as a viewer, a reader, and a consumer of the Fate: The Winx Saga franchise, I have not been completely satisfied with how the writer of this project, Olivia Cuartero-Briggs has addressed certain plots that in the Netflix series would surely have taken a totally different direction.

But in short, I'm grateful that we have new Otherworld content scheduled to be released soon; Of course, it should be noted that the new adventures of our fairies will contain certain gaps, but at least one publisher was interested in rescuing Fate: The Winx Saga of the kingdom of darkness from the canceled franchises. Once again, many thanks to the publisher Mad Cave Studios, the youth label Maverick Graphic Novels, and NetGalley for giving me access to an advanced copy of this graphic novel in digital format. It seems to me that it is one of the longest reviews I have done as a reader, but I think my feelings regarding the entire development of the story are understood.

Thanks so much for reading.

Score: 3/5.

Apparently, this is a continuation of a Netflix series that ended on a cliffhanger. This could be a master class on how not to write a licensed comic book though. There's no entry point for new readers. It starts up as if you were a superfan of the series. It just felt they were speaking nonsense for 100 pages. I picked up that it's some kind of Hogwarts for fairies, even though they just seem like normal magicians. I had no idea what was going on and still didn't by the end really either.

The art was fine. My problem with it though is that everyone looked the same age. I couldn't tell who was a student and who was an adult. It didn't at all help with figuring out with this dud.

I enjoyed this graphic novel. I am not typically a fan of GN but I wanted to check this out to see if my students would enjoy this in our classroom library. I am not familiar with the show but I am intrigued enough to start it!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Fate: The Winx Sage Volume 1 is a fun and fast-paced graphic novel following on from the Netflix adaption of the series. The novel starts approximately 6 months after the cliffhanger ending of the show (which was cancelled and turned into a comic book series), and I was really happy to return to the series. The characters were kept just like their on-screen counterparts, which I was so glad about. My only gripe was there's a 6 month gap between the ending of the show and I felt much had been missed such as Bloom meeting her real mum and seeing how the reunion played out as well as a recap for any newbies to the series to explain what had happened in the show or to explain who the characters were and their role. I felt that if I hadn't seen the show, I would be very confused as to the plot. Maybe a prequel would be a good idea? Besides that, I loved it and can't wait for the next instalment after another cliffhanger ending!

As a fan of the Netflix show "Fate: The Winx Saga," I was excited to dive into the graphic novel "Fate: The Winx Saga Volume 1" by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs. However, while the story had its moments, I found that the transition from screen to page wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped.

The graphic novel's art style didn’t quite resonate with me. It lacked the visual appeal that the show had, and I found it hard to connect with the characters in the same way. Additionally, the pacing felt off. The story seemed to jump right in, leaving me feeling like I had missed some crucial background information. It was disorienting at times, as if parts of the narrative were skipped over or not fully explained.

While there were elements I enjoyed, like revisiting the characters and the world of the Winx, the graphic novel didn’t quite capture the same magic that the show had. It was an interesting read, but ultimately, it left me wishing for a more cohesive and well-paced storytelling experience.

2.5/5 Stars, rounded up to 3 Stars. I have seen the first season of the Netflix Winx series, but not the second. Going into this, I did know that this was a continuation of said series, however it didn’t quite feel like it. The art, though charming, seems distinctly separate from both the og winky lux and the vibe of the Netflix drama. The progression of this graphic novel was also a bit wonky, the pacing seemed rushed at times and the decision making seemed out of step with the Netflix series. I found myself a little confused, perhaps because I’ve not completed the Netflix series. I think the storyline has potential. I think readers may benefit from some background or context provided at the beginning of the novel to link it to the Netflix series, because this graphic novel does not stand on its own. Thank you Mad Cave Studios, Maverick, Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for review!

I'm a Winx fan since the beginning in 2004 so I couldn't wait for this new series, even because the Netflix show got cancelled leaving us with lot of questions.
The story develops darker than the cartoon or the tv show and many aspects of this graphic novel seem to have nothing in common with them. For the first pages I have to admit I was a bit disappointed because it's really different from what I was expecting to read. Many characters show different kind of personalities for several reasons I cannot mention; in particular Bloom and Stella have some surprises for us... Overall, it was really good; read the first part, after I acclimated with the new vibe I found myself craving for more, in search for answer about all the mystery that filled this story. If you're prepared to not expect fairytales (as Winx Club) or the same storyline as Fate you won't be disappointed.

Title: Fate: The Winx Saga Vol. 1
Dark Destiny

Author: Olivia Cuartero-Briggs

Rating: ★★★★

A new school year at Alfea kicks off with our favourite fairies—Aisha, Kat, Terra, Stella, Musta, Riven, and Sky—still reeling from the disappearance of their close friend, Bloom. She ventured into the Realm of Darkness to find her mother and hasn’t returned, leaving her friends to navigate their grief and the challenges of a new semester.

But Alfea is under threat. A mysterious new enemy with fairy powers that few have seen before attacks the school, throwing our heroes into a whirlwind of danger and intrigue.

Can they solve the mystery and protect everything they love? And most importantly, will Bloom return with the Dragon Flame, or is she lost forever?

Why I Loved It
1. Magical World-Building: Alfea is as enchanting as ever, with its blend of magic, new students, and the promise of untold adventures. The book perfectly captures the essence of the magical school setting.
2. Character Development: Watching Aisha, Kat, Terra, and the rest of the gang grow and adapt to life without Bloom is both heartwarming and heartrending. Their struggles and triumphs make them even more relatable and engaging.
3. New Mysteries: The arrival of a mysterious enemy keeps the plot thrilling and fast-paced. The suspense of whether Bloom will return adds an extra layer of excitement.
4. Emotional Depth: The fairies' grief over Bloom's disappearance and their determination to carry on in her absence add emotional depth to the story. Their resilience and hope are truly inspiring.
5. Action-Packed: From magical duels to secret plots, the book is packed with action and adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

A must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike. It's a magical rollercoaster filled with emotion, mystery, and fairy-powered action. If you loved the Netflix series, you'll adore this continuation that brings even more depth and excitement to the world of Alfea.

Thank you to The Publisher Mad Cave Studios | Maverick, the author Olivia Cuartero-Briggs & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Fate: The Winx Saga graphic continues where the Netflix series season 2 ended. I haven’t watched Netflix, but I’m a big fan of the Winx Club animated series.

We get to meet the Winx girls. This series has a darker undertone. It has thrills and drama. Aisha, Kat, Terra, Stella, Musa, and Flora were attempting to keep the situation in check with Bloom’s absence. There were lots of magic and monsters.

I was hoping to read more action in it and the plot was moving faster.

I’m looking forward to read what happens next.

This graphic novel picks up right where Netflix left off. I loved the Netflix series and considering we won’t be getting another season it's so satisfying to still get the continuation of the storyline! It’s a super quick read, about equal to watching an episode, so I hope there are many more to come. Sure it’s not quite the same as watching the show, but I’ll take what I can get!

˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

📚Fate: The Winx Saga (Vol. 1)

Thanks to @netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book💕

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

My review 💌 :

I ADORE this series 😭❤️ Watched it on Netflix a few years ago and I loved it so much! I was so happy when I saw the first volume of the graphic novel was on #netgalley I was jumping with happiness 😭😭

Even though I wasn’t about to watch the second season of the show on Netflix, I think that this story did a really good at continuing the story from the show. I’m really curious to see what is going to happen next for Bloom and the girls even though the ending was an insane cliffhanger. I really want the next volume of this story already. I think this series has a really strong potential.

The original fairies !

I loved The Winx Club growing up & is one of my starting influences that got me into "magical girls save the world" type stories

The art style is great. I'm always so impressed with artists when you can tell what a character is feeling through their facial expressions. Not an easy skill!

Since this story caries on from the Netflix series, you do need to watch that first. The story doesn't hold up that well without the context of the show.

I honestly can't wait for the next issue

"Fate: The Winx Saga Vol. 1" is a teen graphic novel written by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs and illustrated by Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau. The plot of the graphic novel comes after the events of the cancelled Netflix series, so if you did not watch the series, you will definitely be confused. You also should have at least a passing knowledge of the Winx cartoon to be able to jump right in. The teen fairies are at school and are faced with monsters attacking out of nowhere, but their leader, Bloom, is still missing. They must rally together to save their school and fairy world. The interpersonal relationships depicted in the book were interesting, though if you have not watched the series, you probably won't be as invested in them. An additional purchase for teen graphic novel collections where the Winx dvds still go out.