didsomeonesayviolin's review
2.0
[this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
Furia follows the story of Camila, a rising football star who beats the odds and makes a life despite the hardships and obstacles thrown at her.
I have thought very long about what I will write here. Not because the quality of the book was questionable - in no way it was: Méndez writes poetically yet realistically and it was a delight to read. The plot and the characters were strong, too. So... what was the problem, you may ask.
Here's the thing: there was too much politics thrown in here. It's different to write a story about a strong, poor girl rising from the slums than to write a story about a strong, poor and "woke" girl rising for the slums. The constant details thrown in - mainly about abortions - disturbed me very much. And though this review isn't really going to make a difference, I just wanted to say this, because it's important to me and I feel it's my duty to do so with books like these. Murder is not the solution. The baby it's not the woman's body, it's in the woman's body. And most important of all, it wasn't necessary to emphasise this in the book. I get it that the standards in Argentina aren't as liberal as they are in the US, but maybe that isn't always a bad thing. Most of the time, but not always. And the author made it sound like everything there was bad, at least to me.
So, that's what I wanted to put out there. I'm sorry it got too moralistic and political and ideological, but that's what the book was, under the layers, although most of them were good.
→2 stars
Furia follows the story of Camila, a rising football star who beats the odds and makes a life despite the hardships and obstacles thrown at her.
I have thought very long about what I will write here. Not because the quality of the book was questionable - in no way it was: Méndez writes poetically yet realistically and it was a delight to read. The plot and the characters were strong, too. So... what was the problem, you may ask.
Here's the thing: there was too much politics thrown in here. It's different to write a story about a strong, poor girl rising from the slums than to write a story about a strong, poor and "woke" girl rising for the slums. The constant details thrown in - mainly about abortions - disturbed me very much. And though this review isn't really going to make a difference, I just wanted to say this, because it's important to me and I feel it's my duty to do so with books like these. Murder is not the solution. The baby it's not the woman's body, it's in the woman's body. And most important of all, it wasn't necessary to emphasise this in the book. I get it that the standards in Argentina aren't as liberal as they are in the US, but maybe that isn't always a bad thing. Most of the time, but not always. And the author made it sound like everything there was bad, at least to me.
So, that's what I wanted to put out there. I'm sorry it got too moralistic and political and ideological, but that's what the book was, under the layers, although most of them were good.
→2 stars
tenpapercrowns's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
fkshg8465's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I'd say this is closer to a 2.5. It was just boring. It tackled some feminist themes that are important and should be talked about, especially with the younger generations, but I'd have to stay engaged long enough to do it first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault
wendywbooksareawesome's review against another edition
5.0
This YA read was exceptional - great lead character Camila La Furia! I loved her soul and ached with her over choices and lack of choices thrust upon her. Amazing book!
ebweeks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lizthunder's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
wonderwoman11's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25