Furia by Yamille Saied Mendez was a fantastically written peek into the life of a young woman in Argentina. The book handled heavy topics in a delicate but sensitive fashion. The growth of Camilla throughout the novel was believable and relatable. The author did a wonderful job at giving a glimpse into both culture and country that was engaging and realistic. I enjoyed Furia and will be recommending it to my students.

Furia is a highly important and one of a kind coming of age story, about love, family, football and women's rights. I was not expecting to like it this much, because football is not something I'm particularly interested in. But the author was able to make me interested in the subject, like I was Camila myself. I loved the discussions on feminism and abuse, even though sometimes it felt a bit forced in the story. I read this as an audiobook, and love my experience of it, since I read it in one sitting. The ending left me wanting to hear more about Camila and DIego. Can't wait to see more from this author!

This is a cute and poignant coming of age novel about Camila Hassan, a high school girl in Rosario, Argentina. She lives a double life, trying to fulfill her parent's wishes to study and go into med school, while also a football star in a girls' team without telling her family. 

For a YA novel, this book packs in a lot. The characters are diverse and have different racial and socio-economic backgrounds, and these identities get explored in the book. There's discussion on abusive family members, and femicide. There's female empowerment as Camila explores her relationship with Diego, her boyfriend, as she also explores her future as a football star. The relationships in this story are also diverse in that we get to see Camila grow as she learns to befriend her mother, explores her relationship with her coach, her brother, and her friends. 

For the NetGalley audiobook, the audio sounded kind of strange, like it had been auto-tuned. Something about it sounded a bit mechanical. 

I'm personally not the biggest fan of YA, but a lot of friends were recommending this, so I thought I would check it out. For a YA novel, I think this is a really good book, and would recommend it to YA fans and to young adults.

Furia is a great feminist own voice coming of age story about Camila, an Argentinian girl with big dreams of playing soccer professionally. Though a number of hurdles stand in her way, she presses on to reach her goals- and she's definitely a character you'll want to see succeed. 
Sol Madariaga was a fantastic narrator and made the story that much more compelling. 
Many thanks to Workman Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Yamile Saied Méndez's latest novel is a Reese's Book Club YA pick. It follows the story of Camila Hassan, a young woman living in one of the poorer barrios of Rosario, Argentina. Camila is a good student and a terrific soccer (fútbol) player. She dreams of joining the women's soccer league in the USA and has even passed an English language proficiency certification. Between competing with her local team, Eva María Fútbol Club, Coach Alicia, and her best friend Roxana, Camila, or la Furia (The Fury) as her team calls her, has a lot in her favor. In fact, her team is going to the Sudamericano (South American) Women's Tournament. On the other hand, she comes from a family with an angry domestic abuser (her father) who doesn't believe women should play fútbol, a mother who seems to favor her older son Pablo over Camila, and she lives in a dangerous area where young women and girls are being murdered on the regular. And then there's her childhood friend, Diego, el Titán, a talented player that's been signed by Juventus, one of the premier Italian fútbol teams. He comes back home to see his mom and friends. She and Diego have been crushing on each other for a long, long time. But is he just another distraction, a potential obstacle in the path to achieving her dreams?

Furia is an uplifting YA #ownvoices novel that captures the challenge of a young woman escaping the cultural restrictions of her upbringing and pursuing her dreams. Camila's resilience and tenacity make her an inspirational character. Her determination to pursue her dreams and the process by which she forges ahead are not easy nor are they pain-free but she succeeds. This is a rewarding story for young women.

The audiobook, narrated by Sol Madariaga (who recently narrated Romina Garber's Lobizona ) captures Camila's struggles and triumphs beautifully.

I received a digital and audio review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the majority of this book but ended up reading the last two chapters because I was too impatient. I suggest listening to it if you are unfamiliar with the accent and words (as I was). With the right pronunciation, the experience was much better than I expected.
This is a story with a lot (and I mean a LOT) of things written into the narrative. Our lead protagonist is a girl who has a very mixed background, lives in Argentina, has a troubled home life but lives and breathes football. She is battling insecurities, falling in love and making sure that her goals stay crystal clear. Every character introduced has multiple facets, and it was easier for Camila to forgive (some of) them than it was for me to overlook their past behaviours. The narrative begins as it ends with a football game. We get to know her friends and family quite early on, and some of them grow while others do not. Most scenes are laced with tension, and the ending came as a relief.


I was shown a window into a whole new culture and the mixed backgrounds of the people who call the land their home. It was quite fascinating, to say the least. The only reason it was not a five star read for me was that I was overwhelmed with the troubles Camila had to face. I know that is not much of a statement given that there are always non-fictional people living through such situations, but it was just hard for me to completely ‘enjoy’. Finally, I recommend this to anyone who loves a coming of age arc through adversity. Especially recommend it to late teens, since they might get the angst and cheer for Camila more than I did.

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Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Furia was an engaging audiobook -  the narration added beautifully to the experience. I enjoyed seeing how the complexity of Camila's life in Rosario, Argentina played out. I loved that she chose her own dreams and didn't sacrifice them for anyone else. While serious topics are discussed, the story is on the lighter side. It's fast-paced and hopeful.

I already read an early copy of this book from the publisher but listening to Camila Hassan's story being narrated is another experience.

Amazing audiobook. Engaging and the speaker gives you the Furia struggle vibes.

Name: Furia
Author: Yamile Saide Mendez
Genre: YA, Drama, Dreams, Sports, Romance
Rating: 4.3/5
Review:
Furia is a story set in Rosario, Argentina, where everyone is crazy about Soccer. 
Camila Hassan is a seventeen year old girl who is passionate to play soccer. 
Her dream to play football isn't easy, when her narrow-minded mother and strict father wouldn't allow her to play soccer, on the other hand, her rising soccer-star brother only fuels her desire.
Camila leads a double life, being a disciplined daughter in her home and a passionate soccer player in the field. Her passion, La Furia is too big and too strong that it wouldn't be given up. But everything's chaotic when her first love and soccer star, Diego returns to Rosario. 
Camilla is a strong character, strong willed and passionate. I liked her alot from the very beginning. 
Each member of Camila's family share the same dream, yet reflects a different aspect of it. Her mother, whose lost her dream before everyone else. Her father, who was tied down because of his family. Her Brother, Pablo, who chose love over his dream and Camila, whose dreams was her life. 
Camilla is a strong character, strong willed and passionate. I liked her alot from the very beginning. 
This is an inspiring and empowering story of following one's dreams and finding one's passion. I would recommend this book to every teenager, regardless of one's gender because dreams and passion has nothing to do with one's gender. 
The narrator was amazing, she has done an amazing job at narrating this book. She was able to bring out all of the emotions the perspective thoughts and even the silence of the protagonist. She expresses it so well that we were lost in the story, feeling everything the protagonist was feeling. The way, the narrator included songs, slangs and language was appreciable.

Based in Rosario, Argentina, this story follows a fierce and resilient young women, Camila Hassan, as she lives two lives. At home, Camila is the obedient daughter, living in her brothers shadow and under the rule of her abusing father. On the fútbol field, she is La Furia, full of talent and passion. This moving story explores the familial and cultural struggles that Camila faces in pursuit of her dream to become a professional fútbol star. While there is some verbal and physical abuse and the story is set at a time when young girls were being abducted and murdered in Argentina, this remains primarily a story of courage, strength and the fight to prove that girls deserve everything that boys do.

What an inspirational book of love and loss - and the impact of really choosing what you love in life.  This is the story of a young girl growing up who has a love for soccer. She joins a team but must keep it hidden fro more friends and family. Then one day people start to find out. What should she do? And then a love becomes unavoidable. Would she leave it all for him? I just couldn’t put this book down. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Lies have short legs,” Camila Hassan remembers her grandmother telling her. But when Camila discovers her passion for fútbol (soccer) during her last year of high school, she’ll find out just how short a lie’s legs really are.

 In Argentina, girls don’t play fútbol—only boys. And Camila’s older brother already earns his living playing for a team. Her mother wants her to study medicine. And her father…well, she never knows what her father wants. Neither does the rest of the family, who lives to appease his short temper.

When her team wins a place in a tournament that could lead to a soccer scholarship for Camila at a university in the United States, she knows she’ll do anything to achieve her dreams. For the past year, though, she’s lived a double life. Her parents have no idea she plays soccer. Camila’s brother knows and supports her as much as he can without sharing her secret. 

When her childhood friend returns to town and declares his love for her, Camila faces further confusion. All the lies she’s told to follow her dreams start chasing her on their short little legs. Can she face her parents with the truth? Will her team actually win the championship? And is Diego, the man she loves, really someone who will wait for her as she pursues her passions? 

Why I Loved this Book

Yamile Saied Méndez manages to weave together a book about dreams, goals, and true love with a social justice issue I had no idea existed outside the reservation in the United States—missing and murdered women and girls. The resulting tapestry will both charm and haunt you long after you finish the book. 

You don’t have to love soccer to love Camila’s passion on the pitch—but if you know a young woman who loves soccer, buy her this book! 

The author’s authentic voice (she grew up in Argentina and love fútbol) lends subtle textures and colors to the story. Sol Madariaga, an Argentinian actress does a masterful job of narration. Although I speak decent Spanish, Madariaga’s accent made me feel like I normally do around Argentinians—just a little lost but following bravely along. 

If you want the full flavor of this own-voices book, don’t just read it, experience it through narration as well.

𝙁𝙐𝙍𝙄𝘼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Micro Synopsis: Camila Hassan loves fútbol ⚽️ more than anything. But in Argentina, women do not play football. Even though Camila has a brother with playing potential and a childhood friend/crush who has become an international star playing in Italy, her parents don't approve of her playing. With so much societal and familial pressure to go to med school instead, Camila will have to pave an uncharted path for herself in order to chase her dreams. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You'll love this book if you love:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⚽️ Fútbol ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🇦🇷 Argentine Stories⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🔨 Breaking the Patriarchy⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💚 Modern YA relationships⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🏋🏽‍♀️ Strong Female Protagonists⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🪂 Fleeing Familial Oppression to Chase Lofty Dreams⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pro Tip: I loved the audiobook 🎧version and highly recommend it because the narrator's voice really helped give me a sense of place and culture.

This was such a good read. Camila has a difficult home life and unwanted expectations placed on her. I love that she didn't stop dreaming or fighting for what she wants. Her passion shone through the pages. She didn't let anyone hold her back. 

I highly recommend this. She's a great character for girls to look up to and learn from. 

The narration was done very well and really helped bring the story to life.

Set in Argentina, Furia tells the story of Camila Hassan.   She has a troubled home life with an abusive father, a mother with very specific expectations for her and a soccer-star brother.   But, Camila also dreams of being a soccer star.   She plays on a local team and dreams of playing in the USA professional women's soccer league.   She is passionate about soccer but keeps that passion a secret from her parents.  She has skill and is called La Furia by her teammates.  When Diego, a hometown boy who has found fame as an International soccer player returns to town, Camila rekindles her feelings for him. 

This was a sweet sports-centric YA romance.  The balance between Camila's soccer aspirations and her romantic aspirations is well done.  We are shown how she is torn in her decisions and how they may impact herself and her family.   Camila is a strong female protagonist who is faced with choices that in my opinion, she handles with grace. 

I listened to this on audio and the narration was well done.   It was a good listen that helped take my mind off all of this election 2020 madness. 

I recommend this one to YA fans, in particular #ownvoices YA fans. 

FYI-- There's a "Camila's PreGame playlist" on Spotify that was created by Algonquin books:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/18BqMFVQaIrUkYagGZ0lRE

Looking for a book that will fill you with hope and motivate you to keep up the good fight, then look no further than Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez, audiobook narrated by Sol Madariaga!

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Thank you to @netgalley and @workmanaudio for the ALC of Furia! This was an amazing #ownvoices YA novel based on the authors own experiences growing up in Argentina. This book had it all, romance, family drama, politics, and sports. The narration brought female protagonist Camila alive, and showed the wide range of emotions that Camila felt as she navigates the complicated road to having it all while also being a girl.

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Synopsis from the publisher: In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life. At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father. On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she’d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university. But the path ahead isn’t easy. Her parents don’t know about her passion. They wouldn’t allow a girl to play fútbol—and she needs their permission to go any farther. And the boy she once loved is back in town. Since he left, Diego has become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Camila doesn’t have time to be distracted by her feelings for him. Things aren’t the same as when he left: she has her own passions and ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, Camila is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before the covid restrictions of 2020 we were considering a trip to Patagonia.  This isn't about Patagonia, but there are so few books with settings in Argentina that I was drawn to this one.

I really enjoyed this book.  The protagonist has been hiding her participation in a soccer league and also her crush with a soccer star.  Of course that isn't going to work out for her.  Loved listening to her life in Rosario, Argentina and getting a sliver of a flavor of her world.

A Reese's Book Club YA pick.

Thank you NetGalley and the author/Yamile Saied Mendez for the opportunity to listen to an advance read copy of Furia in exchange for an honest review.

When I listened to the authors note, Originally I thought that I had heard that Furia WAS an autobiographical book.  But on relistening, I think it says that it is WASN'T.  I haven't listened to many autobiography's, and nominated in the Goodreads Memoir & Autobiography section.  Probably an oops on my part, but I've decided to not correct it.

In Rosario, Argentina, Futbol is one of the most important things. Camila thinks so too. Not only does she loves the sport, but also because playing will be her ticket out and might get her to study in North America. With her women's team qualifying for the South American tournament, the pressure is on her to tell this big secret to her family. But she knows that's not going to be the easiest thing she has to do.

I received a free copy of the audiobook from Netgalley. And I am so glad I did!

The story is just amazing, and I am floored by how much culture is packed in this book. I learned a lot about Futbol and about Argentina as a country and its social standings. It amazes me that though this is written in Camila's point if view, it felt like I was seeing beyond that. The way the author made Camila's thoughts were just so inspiring.

As a character, Camila is a daughter, a sister, a best friend, a team captain, a student, and an athlete. And it was nice to see her grow into those roles and then some. I love her tenacity, and her drive. She's a true feminist, and I love that she was still the same person despite everything that she had to go through.

I also just want to say this now: the book has so much feels! From her romance to her pursuit of dreams, I just felt everything! And it was a rollercoaster of amazing-ness! This book just has a lot to offer.

If I were to actually read the book, I'm pretty sure I would enjoy it. But listening to the audiobook is magical! I am not a Spanish speaker, so hearing all the Spanish parts of the book is a godsend! I am also not a fan of Futbol, FIFA, or Soy Americano. I had no idea that each team has their own chant/song. And I just really appreciate that the narrator actually sang it for us! I just liked that the audiobook made me feel like I was there in Camila's matches, in her house, in her school, just everywhere. The narrator did such amazing job lending her voice to this amazing book!

There's really nothing much I can say, but this book was amazing, and I definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of Furia in exchange for an honest review. 

Like most teenage girls, Camila Hassan has dreams. Her dreams are to earn an athetic scholarship so she can play soccer at a college in the United States. But living in Rosario, Argentina, her reality makes her dreams seem impossible. Her family doesn't know she plays on a soccer team, she lives in the shadow of her brother who is a rising soccer star, her father is abusive, and her boyfriend is an international soccer star. 

Camila is a force to be reckoned with. Once she finds her voice and channel her energy where it is needed, there is no stopping her, both on and off the field. Fear, love, and loss try to derail her but she fights back and keeps her eye on the prize. I love how the author wrote such a strong female character. Since this is a young adult book, hopefully seeing a character with such strength to overcome obstacles will help other young women who read this book. 

I listened to this audiobook and I did find it was a little difficult at times since there was a lot of Spanish in the book and there was no translation in the audiobook. That being said, it didn't really take away from the comprehension of the text. I could just see a child who doesn't speak/understand Spanish possibly walking away from the book because of it. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book and hope my daughters will read it when they are a bit older due to some of the mature themes in the book. 
#YoungAdultFiction #Argentina #Soccer #Abuse #TeenagePregnancy #Murder #Abductions #Dreams #Family

This was a great book & has lifted my mood so much in these gloomy and uncertain times. So glad I could hear the audiobook in this dark year. Loved it!