𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚: fury, anger, rage. hurry, rush⁣⁣
All perfect adjectives to describe the star player and coming of age character of Camila. Set in Argentina, Camila tries to find a place for herself in the strongly male dominated society. Between her strict parents who will not allow a girl to play fútbol and her new love interest back in town, she is forced to make her own way in a world unprepared for a girl with a passion like hers. ⁣⁣

Loved the story. I will definitely be recommending this book to students in my library. Well written and strong female lead.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin for the ARC. This in no way affected my rating of the book**

This was a book I was very excited for and I don't think the hype held up for me.

Camila Mendez wants nothing more than to play soccer. Her brother is a soccer star and so is the boy she's in love with, Diego (albeit, a much bigger star). Camila is just as good, if not better. But due to her gender, she doesn't have the same opportunities. Throughout the book, she balances her drive to become a soccer star with her blossoming relationship with Diego.

Camila is a very headstrong character. I can see a lot of readers, especially young girls, being inspired by her bravery and refusal to give up on her dreams. I admired her and can see the book being recommended from a feminist viewpoint.

My main issue is that I would've liked to see more soccer (fútbol). While Camila works and trains and tries to get her parents to understand this more than a hobby she's been forced to hide, there are fewer chapters about soccer games or scrimmages than I thought there'd be going into the book. There are much more about her relationship with Diego, which, since this is definitely intended to be feminist, was a little frustrating. I would've liked more about Camila's accomplishments on her own instead of her running around with Diego in his fancy car. That isn't to say being a feminist means you can't also find love. I just think the main focus ends up being what will Camila do about Diego and not "how is Camila going to accomplish her career goals".

The relationships are mostly well written. Again, I would've liked maybe a little less about Diego, but we get to see Camila as a sister, a friend, and a teacher. She has different obstacles in each role, but she overcomes them with courage and grace. I liked that she could be strong and vulnerable in the same book. She really is a very well-rounded character outside of her romantic relationship.

Overall, the book was a fairly good read with a strong character and good growth and development for that character. But the romantic relationship felt weird to me and became the main focus of the book, which I wish hadn't been the case.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 stars

Thank you to Yamile, Netgalley, and Algonquin YR for an advance copy of this book and for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It has literally everything you could want in a book. Various relationships are explored, there is romance, passion, sports, female empowerment, overcoming obstacles, self-exploration, the reality of growing up in a less-than-stellar area and the crime that comes with it, physical and mental abuse, all the struggles that go along with adolescence and growing up...and possibly more that I am blanking on right now. Oh, and it's Own Voices :)

Furia follows the story of Camila, an Argentine teenager, who leads a double life. Playing futbol is frowned upon by her parents, even though they are both avid fans...of her brother and her childhood (male) friend/crush. She plays on an all-girls team in secret, but when they advance to a big competition, she is at a crossroads and needs to come clean. Meanwhile, she is trying to navigate a relationship with futbol star and old friend, Diego. She also has to battle the tumultuous and dangerous relationship with her father. Watching la Furia navigate through all of these topics made me want to cheer, brought a tear to my eye, and gave me so much inspiration.

As a sports lover, there were moments that brought me back to being a kid and playing ball and the joy, pressure, and every emotion that went along with it. But, if you're not a sports fan, don't worry, while it is the focal point, there are so many other interesting side stories that you won't even realize you're reading about something you're uninterested in. The sports story was the main reason I accepted this blog tour, but it honestly just became an added plus to me because the rest of the story was also so engaging.

I can't recommend this book enough, I'm so happy that I was invited to this tour and I cannot wait to gift my physical copy to someone and hear their thoughts as well.

Some of my favorite YA books of all time have featured strong heroines, but I do get a tad frustrated when a romance element is introduced simply because some YA writers believe no book with a female main character is complete without one. “Furia” breaks out of the box with this trope by featuring a female protagonist who still chases her dreams – even with a love interest.

The novel, by Yamile Saied Mendez, is told from Camila’s point of view – a 17-year-old girl from Argentina. She lives somewhat of a double life as a dutiful daughter with good grades and also as a secret futbol (soccer) player who is deemed ‘Furia’ because of her mad skills on the field. Even though her brother is a soccer star too, Camila knows her parents would expressly forbid her playing because she’s a girl. So, her Furia alter ego is kept hidden from the ones she loves the most. When Camila’s childhood best friend, Diego, comes back to their hometown after becoming a famous professional soccer player, she must confront her feelings of wanting to be with Diego but also chasing her dream of becoming a pro player as well.

There were a few storylines that felt a tad unnecessary and detracted from the main focus of the plot (like a fight between Camila and her best friend), so the middle of the novel did drag a tiny bit for me. But the buildup to an important soccer tournament and Camila’s decision of how to ultimately handle her relationship with Diego did bring plenty of excitement. One of the things I loved the most about this book was that Mendez was able to so spectacularly blend in the struggles of women faced around the world (the fight against the patriarchy, violence against women, media bias, etc.) with Camila’s own experiences. The way women are abused and mistreated can happen both on a smaller level and on a much larger scale – Mendez perfectly incorporated all of these oppressions within Camila’s story in a seamless way that felt both meaningful and, at times, hopeful. Plus, the fact that Camila and the author are women of color makes the story all the more necessary.

I think my favorite part (besides the descriptions of Furia’s inspiring passion on the soccer field) was the ending – Mendez was able to tie up all loose ends while never allowing her protagonist to compromise her dreams. I can’t wait for this book to get into the hands of young women – what the world needs is definitely more heroes like Camila/Furia!

Full review: https://www.inabookshell.com/2020/09/furia-by-yamile.html

Cover

First of all, we are going to talk about the cover, that’s a striking cover, now that I’ve read the book, the cover is more than that. It shows a brave woman who’s not afraid to face the harsh realities and make the best out of things.

Characters/Plot

There was significance to every single character. Camila is one of the best protagonists I’ve read in all YA novels. She was sincere, hard-working, ambitious, and also very tough on herself. She was beautiful and her beauty is conveyed in her personality, not her looks.

All the other characters, her encouraging coach Alicia, ever-supportive best friend Roxana, Diego the charming, sweet, loving boyfriend were well-developed. Coach Alicia was Camila’s rock. She was the perfect mentor. The conversations with Camila and her mother were the most melancholic and the ones with her coach were the most cheerful.

“You go find that joy in playing again, okay?”-Coach Alicia“Are you telling me to smile?” I asked, faking outrage. Coach laughed, throwing her head back. “No Hassan. I’m demanding that you make everyone who watches you smile.”

Camila and Diego were cute together. I loved their relationship and how they understood each other. From the very beginning, Diego gives me the ‘oblivious boyfriend’ vibes and you’ll have to find out if my opinion holds out till the end. I admired Diego, not unlike most of the characters in the novel. On a side note, WhatsApp is mentioned. I was so happy when they mentioned WhatsApp because it is the most used social media in India and is also hardly spoken about in most of the books I generally read.

“I prepaid for service. There’s an international plan with enough data that we can chat on WhatsApp all day.” He misunderstood my stunned expression. “We can make this work, Cami. If you want.”


With all the burdens she’s facing her focus remains unwavering. Her love and dedication towards futbol triumphed over everything else in her world and how she fought for that through and through.

“My eyes prickled. I had forgotten how beautiful futbol was. Without referees, lines on the ground, trophies, tournaments, or life-changing contracts, the ball was a portal to happiness.”

Camila’s parents don't see her worth. Her mom, a Seamstress, has specific expectations for Camila. Her dad Andre(the name deserves a person with a better attitude) has his agenda. In the beginning, he reminded me a lot of Dan Scott from the earlier seasons of One Tree Hill.

Themes

“Lies have short legs.”

This novel portrays the many, many expectations society place on women. Themes of violence against women, victim-blaming, slut-shaming..., the author doesn't hesitate in showing the agonizing truths. If it makes the reader uncomfortable, that’s good, because it's supposed to. Camila lives in a community where there is extreme prejudice and women are being violated. She questions people. Ones that get cast off by her parents and family friends and the rest of her community. The primary tone of the novel, hope hides behind all the heart-breaking moments in Furia. Time and time we see that Camila chooses the hard way out, she’s ready to face the obstacles to achieve her dreams.

“Our country has legalized same-sex marriage way, before the U.S., but prejudice didn’t read or obey laws. It was a hard weed to pull from people’s hearts.”

I was surprised by a lot of things in this book. But Camila’s mom’s character development tops that list. There couldn’t have been a better climax. It doesn’t lose its grip on realism.

Writing style

I love the way the book just simply jumps in without any introductory elaborate descriptions. It made me feel like I was imagining a real story. The Spanish didn’t throw me off, probably because I spent 3 of my high school years in the U.S. The food items, the slang of the people, weather descriptions made it extremely clear to imagine the setting. While I couldn’t comprehend all of it, I certainly connected to the atmosphere. I was trying to read this book slowly (the last 20%) because I didn’t want it to end. I finished it in one sitting.

Conclusion

This book hit close to home for an Indian student like me and with the entire #StudentLivesMatter movement going on right now. For those of you who are not aware, organizations like NTA(National Testing Agency) have decided to conduct JEE and other exams such as NEET, KCET, and EAMCET, compromising a lot of social distancing measures that are significant during this time.

This novel discusses the difficulties people face in life, especially regarding career choices. A lot of students are pushed into corners by the burden of expectations, their hopes, and dreams, sacrifices they need to make for themselves. It just spoke to me. It's gonna connect with a lot of other kids. That being said, this is a story that deserves to be read by everybody, not just students.

Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez is the most realistic coming-of-age novel I have read in my entire life. I loved Camila and her story. How free, untamed and unapologetically herself she is? It truly inspired me, made me want to be more like myself, regardless of what people think. I can’t wait to read another novel from Yamile that will surpass ‘Furia’ for me. If the above paragraphs haven’t made it obvious, READ THE BOOK. Claro?;)

ARC provided by Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley. Thank you.

Camila Hassan, La Furia, WOW! What a character, what a story, this book was very inspirational, and it makes me so proud to read, I feel so honored, being a woman of color, and having a powerful book like this? I was just loving everything.

So La Furia (Camila), is ferocious in the soccer field, and all she ever wants to do is play soccer, go to the states and become something of herself. Unfortunately, where she lives and her family culture is making harder for her to do what she wants. But she beats the odds!

Her home life isn’t the best, which sucks, but she overcomes it all, she comes clean with her mom and her family even though her dad is a jerk, she finds love, but then when she had to choose between her own happiness and those of others? She thought about herself. At times i had to sit back and think “wait? How old is Camila again?”

I feel that this is a book that all young women should read, a book of never giving up, going above and beyond and going as far as believing in yourself regardless of your situations!!! I hope when this book launches it succeeds beyond expectations.

Thank you Netgalley and Algonquin Books for sending me this advanced copy for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

TW: Emotional abuse, mention (and one on page incidence) of physical abuse, food restricting, body shaming.

I've not read many, if any, books that centred football, so this was a refreshing change of pace for me. La Furia, Camila, is a multifaceted character who deserves more people in her corner.

This book is an intense YA, temporarily moonlighting as a light contemporary as there are some sweet moments sprinkled in (as a treat) in the middle of Camila struggling to live her dreams. Mendez spins a tale of sacrifice, fear, and perseverance in the face adversity. There's also a fight for balance in a world where we're told that we can have it all and yet are shut down every time we try to have it.

It's a quick read but, by no means an easy one. You will rage, you will chuckle, but above all, you will want to protect these characters during their most vulnerable moments. This book breaks you and builds you up in waves.

I can't wait for everyone to read this one. My heart.

All my hopes and dreams for a promising future for little Karen.

This was a really cute book! I really enjoyed to dive into Camila Hassan's world and to be back in Argentina, if only for a while. I really like the small spanish words and phrases that were thrown into the book, it made it feel more genuine and gives the book a nice flow. The only thing is that I'm not so sure how those small words or sentences are perceived by non spanish speakers, as they can get annoying after a while, since there are no explanations given to what the words mean translated to english.

I sadly could not connect to Camila that well, I have to admit. To me she is not really special and her character feels kind of flat to me. She is always in the shadow of her older brother Pablo, her kind-of boyfriend Diego and her abusive father, and she does not really try very hard to get out of it. She plays in a girls football team, but keeps it a secret from her family, because they all would never approve of her playing a sport that is only to be played by men. But Camila is so passionate about playing football that she does not want to give it up and continues playing behind their backs. She also teaches herself english so she can enter the US Women's Football league, and also scores a job in which she teaches english to kids. Hearing all this you'd think her to be a very strong and independent character, but in my eyes she still fails to really stand up for herself towards the men in her life. And if she does, she immediately starts second-guessing herself and her strong demeanor starts to break, which I find a bit sad. That is also due to Argentina being a male-dominated country where it is hard for women like Camila and her mother to stand up for themselves, but I had hoped that Camila would still be able to do it.

Coming to the romance: With Camila's football events and Diego being in town simultaneously, I never really knew what to focus on: her love life or her football games. It all kind of came together in one and it never got really clear which one she prioritizes at the time. The romance was super cute, I really liked those scenes, but then that was that: Diego is also not really a very special character. All of the side characters felt a bit out of reach, like you knew them but at the same time were kept at a distance from them. This made it even harder to really get into this book and really connect with the story and it's characters.

This book is highlighted to be a very feminist book, but i to be completely honest do not really see it. I mean she attends a march to receive justice for a friend's sister who was raped and killed, and there is some talk about how it is not right that girls feel so unsafe etc., but it just did not really get me. It was a lot of talk but not a lot of action so when a male came into the conversation is pretty much died there.

All in all I like the book, it is a cute and quick read with some nice characters, but in my opinion the entire feminism topic is not really executed that well. The characters lack depth and I find the story line a bit messi (hihi), but I still think it's an enjoyable young adult read. So if you're into football and ya and want to read a story set in Argentina, this book is for you!

Furia was definitely one of my most anticipated reads of the year. With a premise that reminded me of one of my favourite movies, Bend it Like Beckham, and promises of a strong female lead, I couldn't help but be hooked from the start. And boy, did it not disappoint.

Furia is an extremely well-crafted book. Camila is a very realistic character, and a very lovable lead. You feel for her, you root for her, you want her to succeed and see her dreams come true. I especially loved the way the author explored Camila's relationships with her family - you can see the love she has for her mother and her brother, even when things get tough. Mendez did not shy away from depicting complicated relationships, relationships where love was not enough, where the characters needed to develop in order to understand and fully appreciate one another, and I really admire her for that. Often in YA we see extremely one-dimensional relationships, especially between family members, even though that is rarely the case in real life.

I was also a big fan of Cami's relationship with Diego; it was a very sweet, innocent love. Again, not a perfect one, but it felt so real, almost like actually seeing two teenagers realize they are in love for the first time. Of course, they will fuck things up, and yes, they will make mistakes, but you could genuinely feel their bond and their love.

While I loved the way the author depicted family and romantic relationships, I was not a big fan of the friendships in this book. Camila and Diego convinced me they were in love, and I could understand Camila's mixed feelings towards her family. Camila and Roxanna, however, did not convince me that they are best friends. I just couldn't feel their bond and they genuinely did not feel like best friends to me. I would have loved to see them depicted and developed in a different way, as Roxanna felt a bit like a background, one-dimensional character, but this is a relatively minor flaw in an otherwise extraordinary book.

Relationships aside, I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I loved all the descriptions of Rosario, and I really appreciated the exploration of Argentinian culture and daily life. I believe I haven't read enough books set in Argentina, so that was a great opportunity for me to further see a culture I am not familiar with, and I am forever grateful to this book for this opportunity. As a lifelong football fan, I also appreciated all the football scenes and the characters' love for football. I also really liked the fact that we got to see both sides of football, the good and the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. Once again, Mendez provided us with a very nuanced and layered understanding and depiction of something (in this case, a sport) and how it affects the lives of those around it.

** An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. **

When the book is pitched as a powerful, #ownvoices contemporary YA for fans of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 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 know I definitely have to review and promote this new release in my bookstagram.

Furia is a story about standing up and being brave enough to write the story of your life.

Camila Hassan has always been behind the shadows of his soccer star brother while living a double life as Furia, their community's leading futbol player, since her family prohibits her from playing in the field but when an opportunity in the name of possible sponsorship and exposure in the America's league knocked on her door, Camila knows the time has come to finally make a mark and be herself.

With scoops of scenes radiating female power and lambasting the patriarchy rule, this book easily became one of my favorite galley reads. I love reading stories celebrating women empowerment and characters being brave to stand for what they want.

Also adding the fact that the romance subplot also delivered the swoons and made the journey even enjoyable.

Overall, this is a recommended read and cheers to reading and promoting books amplifying marginalized voices and celebrating cultures around the globe.

RATING: 4stars

I absolutely loved this #ownvoices contemporary YA novel by Yamile Saied Mendez.

This story follows teenager Camila in her hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Camila has a huge passion for soccer but she has to keep her love hidden. We get to see all the heartbreak but also her strength and resilience

This is a powerful book and I think girls all over the world should read it. Yes it centers around her love for soccer but you don’t have to enjoy sports to love this book.

Also let’s talk about this beautiful cover! I definitely love when I can see myself in a character, so I’m loving seeing a brown girl like myself.


Thank you Netgalley and Algonquin for the eARC of this book.

Thank you to Algonquin Publicity for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and honestly review an early copy of Furia.

I absolutely loved this book. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down and ended up finishing it within a few hours. As soon as I started, this book gave me Bend It Like Beckham vibes. A girl fighting against her family and cultural beliefs trying to accomplish her dreams and goals, which happen to revolve around futbol (soccer). The vibes drew me in immediately. Once I started reading though, I realized that Furia may have a similar premise, but tells a story all its own.

Camila is known as Furia on the futbol pitch. When she’s playing she becomes an unstoppable warrior. Nothing can stand in her way. She’s fierce, talented, and a goddess. She and her team have a real shot at making it to the championship and that’s just one more stepping stone to her ultimate goal of playing professionally. Unfortunately, she has to keep her playing a secret from her family. Her abusive father is only focused on her futbol playing brother and the money he can bring in for the family when he’s not scaring the living daylights out of his wife and children, his brother, despite himself, has his own thoughts on girls playing futbol, but is hyperfocused on his girlfriend and his career and her mother doesn’t seem to support her at all and just wants her to focus on studying for medical school and staying out of her father’s way. As if keeping her life a secret from her family isn’t enough, her childhood friend and crush, Diego, has returned home for a visit while he’s on break from his professional futbol career in Italy. Diego is the love of her life and he sees her like no one else, but being seen with him could blow her entire futbol secret. Not to mention he’s a distraction. Can she really juggle all of this and still make her dreams come true?

At it’s heart, Furia is the story of a girl fighting against all odds to be seen and heard, while also trying to enjoy what she loves. Futbol is Camila’s life and that’s clear from the moment you pick up the book. It’s also clear that she’s got several things stacked against her and the odds aren’t necessarily in her favor. Camila’s voice shines through in this novel and you can’t help but root for her. You understand her love and her fears all at once. I loved how while her romance with Diego does play a role in the story, it also doesn’t overshadow the story of her trying to make it as a fubol player in a town that doesn’t respect women who won’t stick to the gender norms. Also, the other relationships in her life give you a glimpse at what she’s fighting against. They are all strained, but I found myself rooting for Camila and her mother the most. Camila gets so frustrated with her mother sometimes but both she and the reader come to understand that her mother wasn’t always this way. Her attitude and withdrawal comes from years of being beaten down physically and emotionally by her husband. Once this gap is bridged between them, their relationship began to blossom and it was amazing to see.

In addition to the personal obstacles that Camila is facing, there is also the backdrop of what is happening in her town. Women are to be seen, not heard. One of her teammates, a young mother, is forced to quit the team. Girls of all ages are going missing and being found dead in the streets. Every where you turn, the girls as young as 12 are being blamed for their disappearances and deaths.

“She was hanging with the wrong crowd.”
“She shouldn’t have been out late.”
“She had no business meeting that boy.”

It’s always the fault of the girls. There’s no justice for them and their names and stories are silenced by just about everyone around them. This lends itself to the backdrop of the story and the attitude that Camila has to fight every day. It touches Camila, her friends and family in a personal way. Could they be next? Camila and her mother express this fear countless times. This part of the story in itself has political undertones and while it isn’t the focus of the story or necessarily what the story is rooted in, it’s a reality that the story is sure to let the reader in on. Some things cannot be ignored, no matter how hard you try.

I will caution you in letting you know that while the abuse is alluded to through most of the book, there is an incident of on page abuse later in the book, so please be safe as you read.

In the end, I loved Camila as a person and a character. Courageous, loving, and all around amazing, if you don’t find yourself rooting for Camila to succeed in the end…well then you need to take a second look and try again.

This is such a powerful book, with such a resillient main character!

They story swept me away, and I simply just loved the passion Camila had for sport. I was so happy


that she kept going despite her home life, especially the fury of her jealous (and somewhat abusive) dad. I also enjoyed having the other themes present such as fame, relationships, and schooling.

I love the teamwork that is fostered within the books, as well as inspiring because even when everyone else doesn't believe you can do it, you don't have to listen to them because you've got it. This also includes partners and parents and family, because sometimes you just have to reach your goals, ya feel?

I rate this title a 4/5.
(Blog link active September 20!)

La Furia fights for the ball with fire and passion but most importantly, fights for her family and believing in what she wants, even if she has to hide it from her family.

Camila Hassan, a 17 year old soccer star in Rosario, Argentina hides her love for fútbol from her short-tempered father and her strict and narrow expectations mother. It’s not until her fútbol team qualifies for the South American tournament and is deemed La Furia on the field and her first love comes back, does her life start to spin.

I gave Furia five stars, believing every step of the way that Camila could find her way to shine through her love of fútbol and tell her family that she wants to play, not just for fun, but for her future. Her story showed me as a reader that you have to fight hard for your passions and dreams the way Camila did with fútbol. Her life is filled with complications and we could see throughout the book that she is working hard to make her family happy even if that means she has to hide what she loves.

No matter what, Camila held her head high even through complications with her family and with fútbol. Even when her first love, Diego, comes back to Rosario, she must hide her feelings for him from her parents and brother which causes tension between her and her family.

This book pushed me to realize that many families have similar problems like Camila’s and many young teenagers had to hide their identities from their family because it wasn’t allowed or was frowned upon their religion/society/family. Camila had to hide her love of fútbol because her parents thought it was unladylike to play.

I love the way Camila was a strong character and was mature and responsible throughout the book. She was a powerful main character that showed that you don’t have to constantly rely on other people to be able to achieve your goal. She didn’t give up her dream to fall in love with Diego who she loves, or give it up because her parents forced her to. She was headstrong and followed her own dreams at her own standards.

Furia doesn’t paint a picture perfect world, but a realistic world through the eyes of Camila. Her family isn’t very well off and that forced her to deal with domestic abuse and her misogynistic father who is money hungry. Her brother is forced to be the star of the family and we are given information to his true feelings throughout the book. Her mother doesn’t want her to think about fútbol but become something that could better provide their family, make her father happy.

Furia pushes readers to look at the hopeful side of the book, even through the negative feelings you might feel during the book. I rooted for Camila throughout the book, I rooted for Diego and I rooted for her mother and her brother, because even though I could not relate to their situation or Camila’s, the story of their family and Camila’s journey as La Furia made me feel hopeful that their story got the ending it deserved.

Thank you again to Algonquin Young Readers for providing me a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A simple word that describes this book: EMPOWERMENT !!

🧡 Name: Furia.
🧡Author: Yamile Saied Méndez
🧡 Release Date: Sep / 15/2020.
🧡Editorial: Algonquin Young Readers
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🧡Personal opinion: This novel was a roller coaster of emotions, the story is very well told, I couldn't stop reading once I started.

I really liked Camila as the main character, she is a girl with a passion for sports, strong, fierce and Latina. You connect with her, with her personality and how little by little she is fighting for her dreams.
I loved the romantic part, I enjoyed reading it, you fall in love with Diego! 🙊

This book has many factors that I loved but one of the ones that I would highlight the most is that the book is feminist. Camila is one of the feminists who has the green flag, fighting for the rights of women in Argentina, not only for those of women but also for hers, she fights to fulfill her dreams, it empowers you to read it.

I'm not a football fan 🥅 ⚽️
But Camila had a great talent and wanted to read more of her in the field being Fury!
I could tell this book is great, from the cover to the story.
Thanks netgalley for my advanced copy it was a great read.

🧡Rating: 5 / 5⭐️

This is the first time I've read a book where I can truly see myself. I'm not Argentinian and have never lived in Argentina, but Argentinian culture is close to Chilean. I'm familiar with Argentina also because I grew up close to the Argentinian-Chilean border, so I would travel there all the time.

I loved this book so much. It follows Camila as she tries to accomplish her dream of playing fútbol professionally. Even if you don't really like fútbol (I like watching it but you will never see myself playing it), this story is still amazing. It is about trying to accomplish your dreams even when society tells you that it isn't possible

Camila has it tough, not even her parents know she wants to play fútbol professionally and she is constantly afraid they will find out. Plus, her only real chance of making a career out of fútbol is if she can play in the USA. Camila is such a great character and I was cheering for her throughout the whole book.

There is some romance in the book which played a part bigger than what I expected, but it was still key to the whole plot. I won't mention spoilers I will say that for a teenager, Camila really knows what she wants out of life. She has an energy that motivates her that is unstoppable, and I wish I had a quarter of her determination.

The book also deals with the Ni Una Menos movement, which is a feminist movement, also present in Chile, that seeks to stop violence against women, specifically, the murder of women at their hands of their husbands, boyfriends, or other close men. This is one of the main reasons I loved this book. Other books that I have read that deal with feminism usually tackle it under a different lens, which seems to be the American one. Here, I could see the feminism that deals with the concerns we have in my country, which was a first.

This book is overall a great YA book and I would recommend it to every teenage girl I know because it is above all inspiring. It is now one of my favorite books of all-time!

I LOVED this book. Camila has so much stacked against her - but also has more support than she realizes. She works to overcome some of these odds, but some societal factors need to bend to her will, which is easier said than done. It's so easy to get caught up in the world of soccer, both professional and local, while reading, and the romance was done well, too. I can't wait to recommend this one for the soccer players - especially the girls - in my class.

*3.5*

I was so glad I had the chance to read this book because I was highly anticipating it. Furia tells the story of a girl living in Argentina, Camila, whose dream is to become a professional football player. Football though is not a sport "for women" in her country, so she has to encounter a lot of difficulties in order to follow her dream.

I loved how this work was an own-voice representation. I really appreciated how the Sudamerican culture was a big part of this book, and I have to say this was my favourite bit of the entire novel.
Also, the feminist message in this one is so on point, I found myself crying at one point for the injustice of it all. I actually cannot believe us women still have to suffer so much in order to conquer our dreams.

I really liked Camila as a main character. She was fierce, and strong, and caring for her family, while she tried to pursue her biggest dream. I rooted for her all the way, I really wanted her to fulfill her dream.

I also liked the romance part even if I have to say the reason why I lowered my book rating is because at the end of the book something that I won't mention because of spoilers happened, and it did not resonate well with me. I found it to be a little bit out of character for this one person, and it really affected my enjoyment in the romance part.

I think one of the strongest aspect of this book was the familiar one. Camila's family is not at all perfect, far from it, and I really appreciated how the young girl reacted to some aspects of her life that are quite tragic.

I also don't know anything about football, so sometimes I found myself a bit confused in the play scenes, but I liked some of them a lot and that shows how the author is very good at writing.

All in all, I would strongly recommend this one if you like a diverse contemporary with strong feminist themes and that touches really important subjects.

" I smiled and ran to the field to sing the wordless song of the captive woman who roared in my blood. My ancestresses had been waiting to sing for generations. I was their medium. "

As obsessed with football as I am, the moment I saw this book, I knew that I had to read it. I expected to enjoy it but I ended up absolutely loving it. More than being about a sport, this book delves into female empowerment and how much you're willing to fight to chase after your dreams in spite of everything and everyone trying to keep you from getting there and to live your life in your own terms. To choose yourself and believe in yourself above everyone else. I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.