Furia: A Novel by Yamile Saied Mendez

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

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

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.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! Furia is the epitome of a fantastic feminist read for the YA generation. We have a story focused on love - family, romance, and sports. Yep, sports is at the heart of this terrific tale about a determined young lady who is set on traveling the world and playing futbol.  Camila lives in Argentina, where she feels forced to live a lie. At home she plays the role of dutiful daughter, and out on the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse futbol player. Except, her family doesn't know about La Furia. Hence, the double life she's been leading. Torn between love and family, Camila must figure out how to go after her dreams and live her life to the fullest, with or without her family's support. Talk about an emotional and exciting story!

I just loved getting to know Camila and her story. I found myself hooked right from the start. Chock full of family drama, romance, and futbol -this story is one you won't want to miss out on. The writing is superb and the characters are unforgettable. Furia is an unputdownable read. I would happily recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for their next read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!