#OwnVoices novel shows the power of resilience and soccer

      In her #ownvoices YA book set in Argentina, Yamile Saied Méndez’s new novel revolves around a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line to follow her dreams. Furia is a story of love, hopes, and trying to make something of yourself even when it seems impossible.
     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.
      I loved Camila and her story! I loved that it was first person POV so that we really get a sense of what Camila is thinking and how she feels. She is passionate, determined, and such an easy character to fall in love with! On top of that, the little sparks of romance make this YA book even more binge-worthy! 
    The interweaving of soccer and the stigma behind being a female soccer player and a male soccer player is so interesting to read about and the little bits of Spanish and Portuguese made me learn a bit of a new language, too!
     This is a fantastic YA story about following your dreams while living in a world that tries to bring you down! If your a fan of young adult books, ownvoices stories, or sports novels, then this is a great pick! 

*I received an ARC from Algonquin Young Reader in exchange for my honest opinion.

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