At it’s heart, Furia is the story of a girl fighting against all odds to be seen and heard, while also trying to enjoy what she loves. Futbol is Camila’s life and that’s clear from the moment you pick up the book. It’s also clear that she’s got several things stacked against her and the odds aren’t necessarily in her favor. Camila’s voice shines through in this novel and you can’t help but root for her. You understand her love and her fears all at once. I loved how while her romance with Diego does play a role in the story, it also doesn’t overshadow the story of her trying to make it as a fubol player in a town that doesn’t respect women who won’t stick to the gender norms. Also, the other relationships in her life give you a glimpse at what she’s fighting against. They are all strained, but I found myself rooting for Camila and her mother the most. Camila gets so frustrated with her mother sometimes but both she and the reader come to understand that her mother wasn’t always this way. Her attitude and withdrawal comes from years of being beaten down physically and emotionally by her husband. Once this gap is bridged between them, their relationship began to blossom and it was amazing to see.

In addition to the personal obstacles that Camila is facing, there is also the backdrop of what is happening in her town. Women are to be seen, not heard. One of her teammates, a young mother, is forced to quit the team. Girls of all ages are going missing and being found dead in the streets. Every where you turn, the girls as young as 12 are being blamed for their disappearances and deaths.

“She was hanging with the wrong crowd.”
“She shouldn’t have been out late.”
“She had no business meeting that boy.”

It’s always the fault of the girls. There’s no justice for them and their names and stories are silenced by just about everyone around them. This lends itself to the backdrop of the story and the attitude that Camila has to fight every day. It touches Camila, her friends and family in a personal way. Could they be next? Camila and her mother express this fear countless times. This part of the story in itself has political undertones and while it isn’t the focus of the story or necessarily what the story is rooted in, it’s a reality that the story is sure to let the reader in on. Some things cannot be ignored, no matter how hard you try.

I will caution you in letting you know that while the abuse is alluded to through most of the book, there is an incident of on page abuse later in the book, so please be safe as you read.

In the end, I loved Camila as a person and a character. Courageous, loving, and all around amazing, if you don’t find yourself rooting for Camila to succeed in the end…well then you need to take a second look and try again.