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sanjariti's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
thenovelmaura's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Camila Hassan lives in Rosario, Argentina and she dreams of becoming a professional fútbol player. While her older brother plays professionally and is lauded for it, Camila was told at the age of 12 that she was now too old to play sports. Having played soccer myself for nine years, the lengths that Camila went to to hide this part of herself from her father were really painful for me to read about. I couldn't imagine playing without having my parents cheer me on, and this showed how passionate Camila was about her dream. I also need to add a content warning here for domestic and child abuse, as well as violence against women. These topics are handled sensitively, in my opinion, and Méndez uses them to critique a patriarchal society where women are disregarded and silenced. Argentina's growing feminist movement was prominently featured in the story and demonstrated how women playing fútbol was just as powerful a statement as women marching in the streets.
But I'm doing this book a disservice by making it sound like it was bogged down by heavy topics! There was a lot of light here, and Camila brings joy to these pages whether she's on the field, on a date, or teaching at an orphanage. Like any other teen, she tries to balance schoolwork, friendship, crushes, and keeping secrets from her parents—often without success. And while Méndez had me swooning over Diego for most of the book, I did want to get past the romance and back to the field at times (this is my personal, soccer-obsessed preference, though). The games were so fun to read and I felt like I was standing on the sidelines, cheering La Furia on. Even if you've never touched a soccer ball in your life, try this book! I think you'll be as inspired as I was by Camila's fierce spirit, open heart, and courage to fight for her dream.
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Violence
wenwanzhao's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Abortion
itsmeyseniab's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was really excited to get my hands on this one, but I'm sad to say that I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would.
I was so intrigued going into this novel because the plot sounded right up my alley but ultimately it felt all over the place: it felt like a bunch of subplots rolled together to the point where I was unsure at times what the novel was 100% about (I knew what the overall message was, but I didn't know which event was supposed to serve as the climax as multiple pivotal events took place at different points). While all the subplots discussed important "hard-hitting" topics, it became overbearing - I think that the novel would've benefitted from a more streamlined sequence of events. For lack of a better phrase: less is more!
I found it really hard to care about Camila and her story at times. I wanted to root for her, but I felt such a strong disconnect from the plot that I wasn't really intrigued by her story. It was really great seeing her come into her own and beat the odds by the end of the novel, but I didn't feel as much gratification from it as I expected. That being said, I feel the same way about all of the supporting characters - I felt "meh" about them all: even her father and Diego! I wish we got to know them all a bit more, they all felt one-dimensional to me.
I was just left wanting a lot more. :(
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Infidelity
Minor: Child death, Rape, Kidnapping, and Murder
maraoliverl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexism
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
misosoupcup's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Minor: Child abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
ellaisntreading's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexism
Moderate: Violence
amandas_bookshelf's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse
nitya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'll just say that it's a powerful and ultimately hopeful book, and I am glad to have read it.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Child death and Sexual violence