Review: FURIA by Yamile Saied Mendez

 

FURIA

by Yamile Saied Mendez

Paperback Publication Date: February 15, 2022

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

Synopsis

 

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

FURIA is a book that I would have read time and time again as a teen. Camila Hassan is fierce. She is confident. She's a dreamer. And she goes after what she wants. 

After my second reading of FURIA, I shared Camila's story with a reader friend, and I couldn't contain my enthusiasm for how good this book is. It has it all. It's about friendships and family, competition and ambition, and love and respect. I loved reading about Camila playing fútbol and all that she did to make that a possibility for herself when her family's focus was on her brother or on themselves.

I love the romantic elements between Camila and Diego and the moments that they share together. And I like that this isn't the driving plot of the story. It was wonderful to go along with them on their dates and be with them as they spent time together and explore their friendship and the opportunities presented to them.

But FURIA isn't just about fútbol and fun. It shows the realities of the real world where women aren't safe and their guard is always up. For Camila, this is even a reality in her own home. 

The reader will always be aware that Camila doesn't need to be saved. She's going to save herself. And once her secret of being a fútbol player is revealed to her mother, she is unstoppable. Camila knows who she is and is ready to let everyone else know it too. 

Camila Hassan is an unforgettable character and I loved getting to know her in FURIA. I may not always remember the details of her story, but I know I will remember her.

Disclaimer: I requested a promotional copy from the publisher for review consideration. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Select Praise for Furia

A REESE WITHERSPOON • HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK

RECIPIENT OF THE 2021 PURA BELPRÉ AWARD

One of BuzzFeed’s Must-Read Books of 2020

A Cosmopolitan Best Book of 2020

Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2020

A SheReads Best Book of 2020

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2020

“This book will set your dreams on fire . . . It’s fabulous.” 
—Reese Witherspoon

“An engrossing #OwnVoices novel.”

—PopSugar

“Furia will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to follow their own dreams amid parental expectations and societal pressures.”

—BitchMedia

“Saied Méndez captures both the breathless beauty of fútbol and the depth of its political power… A thoughtful, vibrant addition… [with] incorrigible passion.”

—Chicago Review of Books

“A powerful, contemporary YA novel about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line to make her life her own. Perfect for fans of The Poet X and

 I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”

—Barnes & Noble, B&N Reads

“In Yamile Saied Méndez’s YA debut, the Argentinian-American writer tackles tough issues like feminism, personal growth, abuse, and more.”

—Betches

“A vivid Argentinian setting provides the backdrop for romance, sports heroism, and a powerful story of a girl trying to create her own identity in the world.”

—A Mighty Girl

“[A] high-energy #OwnVoices novel.”

—Booklist

“With a mix of Spanish words, vivid dialogue, and rich description, Mendez paints a realistic image of a young woman battling to become herself against the odds… This inspirational story is an important read for young adults everywhere to witness the dynamics and pressures for a young Argentinian.”

—School Library Journal

“A feminist story of pursuing your dreams… An engrossing story about using your talent and pursuing your goals with messages about gender equality and the complexities of love. Highly recommend for people who enjoy powerful #ownvoices stories.”

—YA Books Central

“There’s a satisfying intensity about the way soccer infuses everything in Camila’s life.”

—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“The book you wish you had when you were in high school.”

— Dead Darlings

“[A] fiery and inspiring YA debut… A novel rich in cultural surroundings, motifs and age-appropriate wisdom, is a must-read. It matters little whether you love fútbol or the U.S. equivalent because Furia cannot be defined by one category of literature, just as Camila herself cannot be defined by the larger society she finds herself in, nor the practical desires of her mother and father, nor anyone who manages to get in her way. She is Furia, a fútbol player too headstrong, and a force too mighty to be ignored.”

—Daily Utah Chronicle

“In this stirring novel by Argentine American author Méndez, passion for sports and personal growth intersect in Camila’s powerful, feminist first-person narrative about her experiences as an ambitious athlete, a teenager deeply in love, the daughter of an abusive father at the point of taking charge of her own life, and a young woman finding her voice in a deeply sexist, patriarchal society… A riveting coming-of-age story.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“In this stirring novel by Argentine American author Méndez, passion for sports and personal growth intersect in Camila’s powerful, feminist first-person narrative about her experiences as an ambitious athlete, a teenager deeply in love, the daughter of an abusive father at the point of taking charge of her own life, and a young woman finding her voice in a deeply sexist, patriarchal society… A riveting coming-of-age story.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review