I loved this book! It was so refreshing to see some girl power with a young teenage girl! It also gave a good picture of what life in other countries is like and how they value coming to America as having "made it". It make me proud to live in this country and want to make it even better!

It took me a while to pick up Furia, but I'm glad I did! This YA book, following a rising soccer star in Argentina, who is trying to navigate expectations of women in her country with her love for her sport and a fellow soccer star, was engaging, beautiful, and unexpected. I listened to it on audiobook, which I would highly recommend, because the voice is so strong in this story and the narrator Sol Maradiaga really makes it shine. What I love about Furia is that the protagonist, Camila Hassan, is undoubtedly a strong woman but since it's told from her perspective, you get the full range of emotions that she is experiencing.

The central love story between Camila and her childhood friend (and now soccer star) Diego is really lovely, but also just one component of this book that has so much more to offer (lots of epic soccer games, female friendships, excellent examples of mentoring others, and an unparalleled dedication to chasing passion despite barriers).

This is the first book that I've read in a while where it felt like the Spanish was naturally incorporated into the story -- it's not translated in every situation, and you're introduced to words and terms that are culturally relevant to the setting. I love that the book isn't explicit about topics, but finds ways to talk about them through situations -- whether it's the issue of missing women, domestic violence, machismo -- the pervasive sexism of the culture that Camila lives in. It feels like a story that transcends its setting and could happen anywhere.

I know that several people would have liked it to be longer, but I feel like this was the perfect length, with lots of intentional narrative choices and the right amount of conflict throughout the book that made me want to keep listening straight through. If you're looking for a coming of age story that is low on angst and high in soccer dreams, pick this up! Thanks to NetGalley for the audio review copy, all opinions are my own.

What a great book to inspire young women to shoot for their dreams! Camila is a role model for all young women to not only stand up for themselves but to show you don't have to be tied down to a male to achieve your dreams.

This was so good! I didn’t really have any idea what this book was before diving in but it was such a great take on feminism, gender roles, and familial relationships among many things. The setting of this book was so atmospheric and really made you feel emerged in the culture. Seeing Camila go after what she truly wanted even if it wasn’t something “good” girls did was so inspiring. I enjoyed the narrator that was chosen because she added to the atmosphere of the culture. Her accent made it easier to see our main character in Argentina, where the book takes place.

Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez was an incredible story about a young girl named Camila who earns "Furia" as a nickname during her soccer matches. This book is all about self-empowering and self-discovery while pursuing your dreams. Furia faces many obstacles as she fights for her dream of being a professional female soccer player. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration. I was hooked immediately and became invested in Camila's story. This YA novel has the right mix of adventure, romance, and family. It should have some trigger warnings for physical violence and emotional abuse.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #workmanaudio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So this is going to sound bad, but I really felt like this was a better version of Bend it like Beckem. Hear me out, a young girl want play soccer despite her parents wanting her to focus on her studies. A cute boy also plays soccer and she catches his eye. She plays soccer her family except it in the end after seeing how important it is to her and that she actually good at it.

I know this is an own voice novel and I appreciate that, I’m not sure if the book is based on really events. (Maybe I should have read the author notes/acknowledgment.

The difference in from what I mentioned earlier is this one has a darker society that shown in the book. Girls are going missing, women’s rights Are being caught for and domestic violence is triggered. With all those mixed in it showed how much sports can stabilize a teenager in today’s world. How it can become a safe haven and away out.

I enjoyed the book. I felt the book still could have held its own without the romance slid into there. I would have loved to of had it focused on the journey of become herself in her world. I do believe that the romance hindered it.

After reading the ebook, I loved the audio of Furia as much as the previous format. The narration brought the characters to life exceptionally well.

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, with 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 loved this book so much! Camila is such a strong, badass character, you can’t help but love her. Her love story was beautiful and real. Her family life was complex and important. The author did not pull any punches. Nothing in Camila’s life is easy, but she is still blessed in many ways. The author addresses so many big real-world problems in a powerful way while still keeping the book fun and not too heavy. The audio narration was beautiful. I would not change a thing. 5 enthusiastic stars. Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I could not have loved this more. I loved the way Yamile created Camila's world. I felt like I was right there with her. I love that Camila is so incredibly strong, but, also, she's still a young girl in a man's world. She has so many hopes and dreams and she works hard towards her goals. She's not looking for an easy out, she's not looking to stay stagnant. She's so incredibly hard working and I loved her so much.

I loved how the romance was weaved into the story. The romance is definitely second in Camila's story, her love of futbol and her desire to make a better life for herself are always first. Camila is not looking for a savior, she's her own savior. But, I still loved Diego of course. I mean, he's definitely an adorable sweetie.

Her family story was heartbreaking and really hit me hard. I was a sobbing wreck towards the end there. But, overall, I was so happy with how the story ended. Also, the very end definitely left me happy and turning the page and hoping for more.

I really enjoyed this book, and the audio really enhanced my experience. I loved the narrator!!!

I really enjoyed this own voices novel. Camila has dreams of playing futbol professionally, but because she is a woman that is unheard of and best left to the men. This book dealt with a lot of issues such as misogyny, missing and exploited girls/ women and domestic violence. Camila’s father was a complete jerk and they way he treated his wife and kids were terrible. There is a romantic element in this book and I liked how Camila didn’t let a guy determine her fate which I know wasn’t an easy choice. The audiobook narrator did a great job throughout the whole story. I was able to finish in one day. I also appreciate the authors note at the very end.

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.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.

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.