At a superficial level, Furia looks a lot like Bend It Like Beckham set in Argentina: the 17-year-old heroines are excellent football (soccer) players who hope to get sports scholarships to play at American universities and then professionally. Both come from conservative families / cultures that prioritize femininity, marriage, and childbearing for women; that consider everything about women playing sports to be unfeminine and potentially indicative of lesbianism; and from whom their soccer playing must be hidden. Both have a single close female friend who also plays soccer, and a romance with a current / former star soccer player, and a fight between the heroine and best friend over the love interest.

Furia is much darker, however. The novel gradually reveals the toxic masculinity and misogyny of Argentinian culture, resulting in the frequent disappearances / murders of young women, extreme anti-abortion sentiment and seeming unavailability of birth control, and generational cycles of teenage pregnancy and domestic servitude. Camila, our heroine, does not receive respite from this at home, with an emotionally and then physically abusive father, a brother who both parents value more and who has inherited many of his father's / society's sexist beliefs, and a mother with internalized misogyny. Diego, the love interest, is also eventually revealed to be selfish and sexist, and he abandons Camila when she needs him most.

By the end of the novel, Camila has stood up for herself to all those she loves: best friend, love interest, family. It ends the way one would expect a YA novel to. From the book's blurb and title ("La Furia" is what Camila's fans call her), I did expect the story to focus more on soccer. Instead, the romance storyline dominated much of the story. I didn't mind this focus, but I wish that publishers didn't keep misrepresenting books in their blurbs; it's a recipe for disappointed readers. Overall, though, I enjoyed this. More books by #OwnVoices authors, please!

Many thanks to Algonquin and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Coming of age story about a girl and her family. Camila is immensely talented and wants to be a professional soccer player. Her family wants to invest in her brother and overlook her talent and her dreams. This is a great story and you should read it,

I really enjoyed this Argentinian contemporary novel about Camila Hassan, a teenage girl who just wants to fall in love and play soccer (futbol). Girls don't have a lot of freedoms even in modern-day Argentina, I was surprised to learn. And many teenage girls wind up pregnant by older men. Camila has a chance to get on an American soccer team and she goes behind her parents' backs to do so. Meanwhile, her childhood friend and crush, Diego, has become a famous soccer player so while she's navigating hiding her soccer-playing, she's also navigating hiding her boyfriend! It's always interesting to learn about other countries and cultures and this book did a very good job showing that.

As a huge sports fan, this tagline hooked me to request this book:

"An #ownvoices contemporary YA set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams."

I love that the MC didn't stop dreaming and chasing her goal to become a professional footballer - even through finding young love!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Please excuse my tardiness in posting my review. My TBR list is continuously growing and I keep finding so many amazing books being requested + added to my pile! I have so much gratitude for this copy that has been shared with me.

This is a wonderfully layered novel for teen readers. A sport's book, a romance, an unapologetic girl power story. Seeing Camila fight for what she wants most is inspiring and she stands up against systems that put girls like her down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a free Advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Set up in the town of Rosario in Argentina, the protagonist of the story, Camila lived with a set of conservative parents and a footballer brother. All her life she was overshadowed by her brother's achievements and her talent of playing soccer was never known to her family. She was living a double life - an obedient daughter at home and a fiery footballer at the field.
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But till when would she be playing secretly? Would she get acknowledged for her talent by her family?
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The perfect book that you need to read if you're searching for a story with a strong and courageous protagonist. It was such a refreshing read for me. The characters were so relatable and I absolutely loved reading the book.

It’s been a while since I read YA, and it was exactly what I needed. Strong characters, a storyline full of hope and strength with real world problems mixed in.

Camila secretly plays football (soccer for the US) and she’s very good at it. So good, that she’s the best player in her team. She wants to use this as an opportunity to get a scholarship and play in the US, but her family doesn’t know she plays football. Also, her old crush (a pro football player) is back in town.

I loved seeing a glimpse of Argentina through the book. I’ve always seen the craze about football in Argentina during the World Cup, but it was fascinating to see it through the eyes of a football obsessed family. Multiple real life issues like domestic violence, rape/murders of young girls were also addressed, making the story more realistic. And this is the second book in a row where I felt that there was too much focus on the romantic storyline for my liking. I’d have liked more focus on football, but maybe that’s just my current mood (ironic since Valentine’s Day is coming soon 😆). I also particularly liked the end.

All in all, a good YA read with a great balance of ‘follow your dreams’ with real life issues.

I am all for a good sports book, and even more so a good ya sports book. This one is a top contender for best ya sports novel and I loved the focus of women in sports since I do think this is done less often. But I do want to say this one goes way beyond covering sports and deals with many tough topics such as domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and murder. This is a hard read in some ways, but so worth it. Camila is looking for her place in a world where is undervalued and that in itself is hard to read about, but add in her troubles at home and her inability to go for her dream on her own, and it's achingly hard to see her struggle.

Have you ever read a book that absolutely refreshed your heart and soul and had you crying happy tears? This book right here did that for me, and more.

Furia was the uplifting, empowering, and inspiring young adult, #ownvoices debut I didn't know I needed until I was in the thick of the story and absolutely could. not. put. it. down.

Seventeen-year-old Camila Hassan is a young woman of many faces. At home, she is an obedient and dutiful daughter, walking on eggshells under the watchful eye of her overprotective mother, abusive father, and talented, rising-soccer-star older brother, Pablo. In school, she is hardworking and has already obtained her license to teach English.

And on the soccer pitch? She is La Furia, an unstoppable force of nature and one of the most talented and inspiring "futboleras" of her age in Rosario, Argentina, unbeknownst to her family.

Camila dreams of breaking the cycle of abuse in her family and attaining her ultimate goal of playing soccer professionally in the United States, where so many of her favorite female soccer players and role models play. With a family who is largely unsupportive of her dream, a country that does not hold women's soccer in high regard, and a famous first love who could be a major distraction just as a high-stakes soccer tournament that could change everything draws near, the hurdles La Furia faces are many, but she's never been one to shy away from a challenge and she's not about to now.

This book stole my heart. Camila was strong, brave, and inspiring, and I loved watching her shoot for the stars while also setting a strong example for other young girls and boys in Rosario. While soccer and Camila's home life were the primary focuses in Furia, Mendez also did a fantastic job of broaching deeper issues, such as domestic violence, abuse, femicide, feminism, misogyny, double standards, and socio-economic disparity.

Full of heart, courage and hope, this book is a testament to the power and determination of women, and Camila is a shining and empowering reminder that, when it comes to your life and dreams, you're the one in the driver's seat and you don't need anyone to rescue you.

"The girl Diego said he loved was the strong one, the winning Camila, the one with a future she was forging for herself. The one who was still fighting. If he rescued me, if I quit for him, I wouldn't be the girl he loved. I wouldn't be myself."

Read this book and share it with the young girls and women around you; it's powerful, inspiring, and a beautiful anthem of hope.

Camila is a firecracker and I love her from page one. Her narrative and voice is strong and unwavering, as is her determination to chase her dreams.

The world of Furia is misogynist and discriminatory - a world where women are seen as objects, daughters as stepping stones, and disappearing girls as collateral damage. I can't speak to how close this is to the true culture of Argentina, but I know this is true for many around the world. It's heartbreaking and frustrating and infuriating and Camila is determined to break that cycle any way she can.

A force to be reckoned with on the football (soccer) field, Camila hides her sporting achievements from her family. Not only would they forbid her, but women playing soccer was still seen as taboo. No, her parents wanted her to be a doctor, to pay them back for their hard work.

Camila's strength, stubbornness, and determination help her chase her dreams and I loved the take on romance in this book - great to have, but it's not a priority for her, though many characters doubt her (which made me so mad. Literally only like an 8 year old girl was nice enough to ask her about it like a civilized human, everyone else ghosted her). Speaking of the 8 year old girl, the way Camila supports her interests and shares herself with her was so heartwarming - we need more women supporting women, I'm just saying.

On that note, I also love the sisterhood in this book, the way the coach encouraged them to look out for each other and support one another no matter what - it added to their collective strength and made them all the better.

I know this whole review is just me raving about Camila, but I love her so much I can't stop. Read the book, it's amazing and so full of heart.

TW: domestic abuse, sexism, mentions of murder/kidnapping, teen pregnancy, mention of abortion

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.22/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great book! I read both as a YA Fan and as a Junior English teacher, and I found this book to be excellent for the classroom. With rich characters, a well-described setting (but not overly verbose), and compelling conflicts and choices, this book allows me to cover quite a few of my state-mandated standards while also engaging my students.

Mendez creates compelling and sympathetic characters in Camila and Diego, as well as Camila’s family and teammates. I really enjoyed seeing Camila’s journey as an athlete while she strives to reach her goals and does so her way, battling her feelings for a neighbor as well as her family’s expectations. Camila has grit and talent, intelligence and courage, and she shows selfless love.

The book deftly handled sensitive issues, not shying away from discussions of the disappearances and murders of girls in poorer areas of Argentina, of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse in a machismo culture, and of the sexism still faced by women athletes around the world. Mendez’s voice is true to her characters without shocking for the sake of shock- most cursing or harsher language occurs in Spanish and while the book deals with violence, it never glorifies or even spends a lot of time describing that violence. I appreciate the sensitive hand in writing here and again found more reasons while it will work well in a public school classroom.

I highly recommend this book!

FURIA is a book that I would have read time and time again as a teen. Camila Hassan is fierce. She is confident. She's a dreamer. And she goes after what she wants.

After my second reading of FURIA, I shared Camila's story with a reader friend, and I couldn't contain my enthusiasm for how good this book is. It has it all. It's about friendships and family, competition and ambition, and love and respect. I loved reading about Camila playing fútbol and all that she did to make that a possibility for herself when her family's focus was on her brother or on themselves.

I love the romantic elements between Camila and Diego and the moments that they share together. And I like that this isn't the driving plot of the story. It was wonderful to go along with them on their dates and be with them as they spent time together and explore their friendship and the opportunities presented to them.

But FURIA isn't just about fútbol and fun. It shows the realities of the real world where women aren't safe and their guard is always up. For Camila, this is even a reality in her own home.

The reader will always be aware that Camila doesn't need to be saved. She's going to save herself. And once her secret of being a fútbol player is revealed to her mother, she is unstoppable. Camila knows who she is and is ready to let everyone else know it too.

Camila Hassan is an unforgettable character and I loved getting to know her in FURIA. I may not always remember the details of her story, but I know I will remember her.

obviously this book has been out for a while but i recently read this for a book tour to celebrate the release of the paperback edition, and i loved it SO much! i can't believe i didn't read this earlier than i did, but i'm glad to have finally picked it up!

camila was such a wonderful main character and i really admire the headstrong and passionate qualities about her. even though on a surface level we didn't have much in common, i could really relate to her as a main character.

i do wish that the novel focused a bit more on the actual futbol aspect rather than the romance, but i did really enjoy the romance as well! other than that, i really liked most things about this novel and i flew through reading it. i would highly recommend checking it out!

I really enjoyed seeing Camila’s strength in the face of adversity throughout the course of this novel. In a community in which missing women go ignored, and opportunity for girls is fleeting, Camila’s tenacity to make her own way in the world in whatever way necessary shone through.

Camila demonstrated that while sometimes there are easier paths to take, there is strength in carving your own path, even when the decisions are difficult to make.

Furia addresses some pretty challenging topics including feminism in the face of misogyny and toxic masculinity, violence against women, and human rights. Though ultimately a hopeful story, Furia is at times a challenging read because of this content.

I appreciate the care that Yamile Saied Méndez took in telling this story, and look forward to pickup up other books by her in the future.

Thanks to Algonquin Books and Algonquin Young Readers for a digital and paperback copies of Furia to review. All opinions are my own.

This was a great YA novel, that I would definitely recommend to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting!

I received a copy from the publisher.

“I was just a girl with strong legs and a stubborn streak.”

Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for the [gifted] copy of Furia!

I grew up playing soccer and while I wasn’t good, I loved the game, my teammates and my coach (aka my dad!). Yamile Said Mendez does an excellent job of capturing the joy and pain that comes with playing soccer (or futbol for the non-Americans). I got super nostalgic while reading Furia.

Camila is the kind of character that you just can’t help but root for. She’s talented, passionate, driven, stubborn and loyal. I was sad to say goodbye to her when I finished the book.

Furia also addresses toxic masculinity and the !Ni una menos! movement that has swept across Argentina as well as other Central and South American countries. This movement is about bringing justice to the missing and murdered women and girls in these countries.

Furia is the perfect read for fans of coming-of-age stories, sports stories and people overcoming great obstacles in pursuit of their dreams.

Furia releases in paperback today, February 15, 2022!

Cw: domestic violence

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4539786788?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaAYrMOpw7u/

This is such a wonderful and powerful coming of age story. The main character, Camila, is inspiring while also staying relatable and interesting. This is the kind of book I want to press into my daughter’s hands when she is a teenager. It is a YA book and it does read like a YA book, but I never felt that it was immature or wouldn’t appeal to an older audience as well. I enjoyed this one immensely and was rooting for Camila the entire story.

This was an unexpected read for me. I usually do the super emotional romance novels but I am glad I did for this one. It was heartbreakingly real and definitely made you feel very emotional. I would highly recommend adding this to every middle grade readers collection!

I love that this book gives sporty girls something to devour, there is so little for them out there! A great option for those looking for a thoughtful book with less focus on romance.