“Our family was stuck in a cosmic hamster wheel of toxic love, making the same mistakes, saying the same words, being hurt in the same ways generation after generation. I didn’t want to keep playing a role in this tragedy of errors.”
― Yamile Saied Méndez, Furia
This is a really great book about pursuing your dreams against all odds. Camila Hassan lives a complicated and secret double life in Brazil. At home she tries to live within the narrow confines of her parents’ expectations of a daughter while being overshadowed by her older brother who is a rising soccer star. Her father is also short tempered and abusive which adds to the family tension. Away from home, Camila secretly plays soccer and is known as La Furia because of her intense, powerful, and skillful play. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila is excited for the chance to show her skill to recruiters and maybe earn a scholarship to a university in the United States. It is a difficult path, however, since her parents don’t know she plays soccer and would never let her play if they knew. Since she is a minor, Camila cannot participate without their support. Further complicating matters, the boy she once loved is back in town after achieving fame as an international soccer star. Camila still has feelings for Diego but can’t give up her dreams to follow him.
Yamile Saied Méndez has written an engaging and authentic story with compelling characters. Camila is fierce, competitive, and a heroine you can relate to and cheer for. I found the glimpse into Brazilian culture fascinating and learned much about the continued difficulties women there face in pursuing less traditional paths. This book offers everything–a great story, sizzling romance, action packed soccer play, and a reminder to follow your dreams.
Content Advisory: parental and domestic abuse, misogyny, reference to sexual assault