Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2020
Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Latinx, Sports, Romance, Feminism, Realistic Fiction
Audience: Grades 8–12
Content Warnings: Family dynamics, abuse
Goodreads Link: Furia
Publisher’s Summary:
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.
Review:
I was deeply moved by Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez. I love the character of Camila because she is written as a strong young woman striving to find her place in a male dominated society in Argentina. Her passion for soccer and her deep love for her family make her relatable and inspiring, yet she faces difficult choices about her future, whether to pursue her dreams or follow the traditional expectations placed upon her.
Camila’s journey becomes even more complicated when she must decide whether to continue her education or risk everything for the possibility of love with Diego, a famous soccer player from her hometown who now plays in Italy. This conflict highlights the tension between personal ambition and cultural expectation that many young women face, particularly in patriarchal societies.
Reading about the limited opportunities for women in Camila’s world made me reflect on how fortunate women in the United States are to have more freedom and choices regarding their futures. Still, Méndez reminds us that even today, many women globally continue to struggle for equality and independence.
It was especially hard to read the scenes depicting the way Camila’s father treats her and her mother, ultimately leading to moments of physical and emotional harm. These scenes are painful but important, they show the very real dangers of sexism and control within families.
Despite these hardships, Camila’s strength, determination, and resilience shine through every page. Her story celebrates not only her personal courage but also the power of friendship and the importance of believing in oneself. Furia is a powerful and inspiring novel that encourages readers to fight for their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
