I was | | close to rounding up on this one because there are aspects of this story that are so strong, so wonderful, but I can't quite boost it.

<i>In my barrio, most of the people didn't know my name or even that I existed. To them, I was only Pablo's sister, or Andrés and the seamstress' daughter -- my mom, too, was nameless. But I was determined to leave my mark.</i>

If what you've always wanted in life is a YA version of KULTI by Mariana Zapata but with a heavy dose of feminism and very relevant, and present, topics of life in Argentina, you absolutely have to pick this up. This story is both empowering and heartbreaking and sometimes those conflicting feelings are rooted in the same moment.

<i>Fútbol could do that -- make people forget about the price of the dollar, the upcoming elections, even their love lives. For a few hours, life was beautiful.</i>

There were many triumphant moments both for our protagonist, Camila, and for her team. But not every triumph was due to winning. I loved how the author made a point to balance this group of women's ambitions, including that of the coach, but constantly remind the team -- and through them, us -- to play for themselves, for joy, no matter the score. I feel like if you take away nothing else from this story, particularly the younger readers, that would be enough. But there are even more powerful messages within the pages, too.

<i>I'd leave the house the first chance I got, but not by chasing after a boy, including my brother. I'd do it on my own terms, following my own dreams, not someone else's. </i>

I think what really took away some of the enjoyment for me were the family dynamics. I have no doubt it is more common than not but some of it just felt a little OTT or extra and while much of it shaped Camila, drove her, to be something else.. I don't know, I just wanted those moments over with. So that's definitely a personal thing. As for the romance, I initially thought it might have been the weaker element of the story but I was pleasantly surprised to have been wrong and, also, surprised by how that turned out. No spoiling!

Overall, I think this is definitely a book worth picking up, even moreso as it's #ownvoices. And, I mean, did you read Micky's review? Even I wanted to award this five stars after reading her thoughts -- and even though I'm not, I would definitely read this author again.

3.5 stars

Yamile Saied Méndez’s Furia ignited my inner feminist.

Camila Hassan’s family dynamics set the stage for multiple confrontations as she leads multiple lives: the dutiful daughter, the talented soccer player, and a woman seeking equality and respect.

As a daughter, Camila sees how her mother cowers to her father and accepts the limitation he and society place on her. The freedom and respect Camila feels on the pitch juxtapose the two worlds in which she lives creating a conflict that is authentic and relatable for someone feeling limited or restricted by family expectations and societal norms. Camila’s internal struggle adds another dimension and perspective to the story.

As Camila evolves, I found myself cheering for her as she confronts her detractors. The universality of her struggle adds to the novel’s appeal and is a book my students will relish.

I am definitely adding Yamile Saied Méndez’s Furia to my classroom library and look forward to discussing the many conflicts Camila tackles.

I received Yamile Saied Méndez’s Furia from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't really know how to start this review, I'm not even able to describe how much gratefulness I feel for the existence of this book. This is the unapologetically argentinian and feminist tale of Camila Hassan, a rosarina with big dreams and a powerful voice. I loved every second of it and I'm leaving this book sort of speechles, sort of teary but very emotional and very eager to read it again.
Camila is forced to live a double life. At home she has to be very careful, between pretending to be what her mother thinks she has to be, living in the shadow of her older brother (rising fútbol star, the stallion), the abusive rule of her short-tempered father and hiding her true passion, fútbol.. When she is out playing on the field she is better known as la Furia, the dynamite that exudes talent and hard work. However, things start to get complicated, as her team qualifies to the Sudamericano. This tournament might just be her chance to show she's got what it takes to chase her dreams and play professionally abroad, somewhere where they respect and aprecciate her craft, but at the same time, this tournament requires her family's sign, and her Furia-power. With her childhood sweetheart, international star athlete Diego Ferrari, back in town, Camila will have to hold on to her ambitions and her core to navigate her way through a world that doesn't exactly welcome girls with dreams like her.
This story has a lot of heart and pulls the reader in from moment cero. It's very endearing. From the well-developed complex characters to the action on the field, it fully enganges you. Even the romance I found it to be very sweet and I was extremely satisfied with where the story decided to take it.
Like I said earlier, the characters are great. They are real. I've met these people (even those who I wish I hadn't). Even very secondary characters who only said one line, I've come across them in my life. This story felt real because the people were real, and that's the beauty of it. It has those details, even though it's contemporary, it is palpable that the world was very well constructed and thought-out. And this reality didn't take anything from the feeling of the story.
In adittion, the message and representation are awesome. I can't get into specifics because I will start crying again, but this book does a wonderful job of denouncing and empowering at the same time. It's very inspiring. I wish girls (and boys) from here in Argentina and everywhere get to read the story of Camila, and Roxana, and coach Alicia, and little Karen, and Camila´s mom, and the team, and everyone who reaches from the page to be heard. This book felt like holding my mom's or my friend's hand when mourning those who aren't with us anymore, yelling a victory gol en la cancha, a burn of ambition and love, and the howl of our past ancestresses leading us to the future, all simultaneously.

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez was a beautiful read. During the story we follow Camila known as “Furia” a talented soccer("futbol")  player who has to hide her love and passion for the sport due to her parents believing women shouldn’t play sports. Much to her dismay she constantly lives in the shadow of her older brother Pablo, a rising soccer player. One day Camilia’s former love interest Diego returns, as their romance rekindles Camilia is forced to decide whether she’ll go with Diego to Europe or go against what her family wishes and follow her dreams to play professional soccer in the US.  
Camila was an amazing character that I admired. She overcomes so much during the story. I loved her strength, her passion and her ambition to achieve her dreams especially dealing with pain from her abusive father and not having the support she needed. She was so relatable and I was able to connect to her. My heart went out to Camila and her mother, struggling to allow their voices to be heard in a country that is so male dominated. With some men that view women as objects, possessions and even punching bags. 
I enjoyed the relationship between Camila and Diego; they had amazing chemistry. Their relationship never felt rushed or forced. I like that Camilia didn't lose sight of her dreams or what she wanted in order to make Diego happy during their relationship. She stayed true to herself. 
I admired the author's writing and discussed specific topics in the story such as domestic violence, family dynamics, women's role/rights, masculinity and romance/relationships. The way Yamile Saied Méndez used soccer as a tool to discuss misogyny was done in such an incredible way. 
Although I enjoyed the read, I did feel the ending was a bit rushed Overall, Furia was an impactful read. Thank you Netgalley and Algonquin of the ARC.

At home, in her barrio in Argentina, Camila Hassan is the dutiful daughter who follows the strict rules of her home, lives in the shadow of her brother the rising fútbol star, and avoids her abusive father's short fuse.

But Camila lives a double-life, and on the fútbol field she is fierce, she is La Furia, she is a powerhouse that leads her women's team and has dreams of playing in North America.

Living two lives is not easy. When her brother's friend and international fútbol star comes back to town, she can't deny the fire that's kindling between them, but she has to focus on her own dreams. As her world comes crashing down around her, Camila is forced to publicize her secret life, but at what cost?

Furia is a great blend of Argentine culture, first love, and fútbol action on the pitch.

This phenomenal YA presents an engaging and memorable main character that readers will cherish, along the lines of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. The author presents universal themes of YA in the context of a unique story. Students who are fans of sports books will particularly enjoy this title. Highly recommended.

This reads as an Argentine version of Bend it Like Beckham, albeit a version filled with a very authentic background in Argentinian society. Camilla's devotion to her team and concern for her brother and mother will resonate with readers who are deeply into sports; the history and concerns in Argentine society at that time don't overwhelm but will inform readers looking for #ownvoices insights.

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.

This is a compelling story full of heart and feminism and kick-butt female athletes. I have no interest in soccer, but that didn't put me off at all; the soccer parts are really well-written and the story is much more about the relationships and deeper wants, while still having plenty to offer the reader who does love soccer. The Argentina setting is vividly drawn.

I loved everything about this book - strong female characters, soccer/futbol, family relationships, finding your own way in life... Camila "Furia" Hassan is a complex character who constantly pushes against the expectations of her family, her controlling father in particular, as she fights to make her own path in life. This a must-have for my classroom library.

Wow!

This was a fantastic feminist YA, with coming of age themes all set in the context of futbol in Argentina. I love a sporting context book especially those empowering women and if you want a YA that strongly empowers young women, then look no further. There is a romance in this story but it is pitched well and doesn’t overpower the story or the amazing heroine Camila ‘Furia’ Hassan.

Set in the barrios of a city in Argentina, the background for FURIA was rich, vibrant, dangerous and varied. The environment was one where women were oppressed but fighting for equality, rights, a life and dreams. There were background story lines that painted a picture of life for all females especially children and young women that were chilling.

Camilla ignited my interest like a flame with her hopes of becoming a professional futbol player and going to the USA where there were more possibilites. In fact, Camilla had familial credentials in professional football but no-one was championing a young women like Camilla, no matter how talented she was.

Camila however, had drive for her dreams and played secretly in a team. I loved the scrimmage and match play narratives, the description was excellent and I truly felt like a spectator watching ‘Furia’ come alive. Camila’s dream and life was complicated by Diego, her childhood friend returning for a visit from Juventus. Sparks ignited between these two and it was something real and beautiful.

This story took a direction that made my feminist heart sing for Camila. The decisions and sacrifices she made; the fights physical, verbal and emotional were all worth it to have hope. This was a read of excitement, beauty in the barrios and characters to feel truly wrapped up in but most of all it conveyed an empowering message for young women.

I highly rec this book, it’s going to be a favourite of the year. FURIA, FURIA, FURIA…(in football chanting song).

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the early review copy.

I absolutely loved this book. Camila Hassan wants to play soccer professionally and spends much of this book secretly practicing for the FIFA Sudamericano Tournament. There is so much that Camila has to overcome including an abusive father and a society that is very negative towards women. I think Camila is a strong character who knows what she wants in life and isn't afraid to push boundaries and will not settle until she reaches her goals. Camila's father is a very toxic man. One of the things that I hate about some men is this sense of machismo, and that is exactly how I would describe Camila's father and the culture of society in this book. I really found myself rooting for Camila and I wanted her to succeed. At the same time I also really loved how her relationship with Diego grew and progressed. I found myself wondering how she could balance her dreams (which seemed impossible) and being in a relationship with someone who was so famous and had an entire life in a different continent. The pacing in the beginning and middle of the book was excellent, but I did feel the ending was a bit too rushed, especially the events after the Sudamericano games. Still, I really enjoyed this book.

Thank so much to net galley for sending me a copy of this book. I was so excited to read this book and I ended up not being disappointed.

I loved this. I loved the family dynamics, the soccer (futbol!), and even though I'm usually way too gay to enjoy hetero romances (but the perfect amount of gay for a good sports book), I even was entirely compelled by Camila and Diego, and the tension that following her own dreams or being with the boy she loves created. I'd also read an entire book just about Coach Alicia, which is both a testament to how much I love badass older women and how well written the secondary characters in this book were.