I received this book via the author, David Estes. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Strings by David Estes Published by Self Publish on 2016-02-15
Length: 294 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
“A wonderful retelling of the Pinocchio story…I simply couldn’t put this book down.”—Rysa Walker, bestselling author of TIMEBOUND
Sometimes the strings that tie us down are the same strings that set us free.
Sixteen-year-old Pia has always lived in a mysterious facility where mechanical strings control her existence. She plays apprentice to her father, Gio, in performing nanotech designs for the Company, and she soon suspects there are diabolical human forces behind the manufactured reality of her world.
Though her childhood memories and the origins of the strings remain strangely elusive, she begins to find solace with the introduction of two unlikely friends: daring, irrational Sofia, and calm, tender Marco.
As the truths of the past and present unravel together, Pia must find a way to free herself from her strings and escape the facility before facing the wrath of the unstable head of security, Mr. Davis. But to gain her freedom, she must navigate the dangers posed by Davis and by her suspicious new friends to find the real identity of the puppeteer.
If Pia can succeed in revealing the secrets of the Company, she may very well find the independence she so desperately seeks. But in her controlled world nothing is as it seems, and the closer she gets to the truth, the graver the consequences.
Initial Reaction
Strings by David Estes is one of the best retellings I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Strings is a very loose retelling of the classic Pinocchio. Pia is a girl attached to strings for as long as she can remember, working on nanotech for the Company with her father Gio. Everyday she wishes for a life without strings, without the mysterious people above the fluid black ceiling that controls them. But in wishing she may get more than she bargained for.
Pia and Fig
Pia is by far one of my favorite characters ever, not because she’s awesome because believe me she’s flawed, but because she is so easily relatable. At 16, she’s lived her whole life controlled by someone else pulling her strings. She can’t even shower without them allowing it! What kind of existence is that?! This question becomes Pia’s mantra throughout the book. She wants a chance to live, really live and she will stop at nothing until her and her father are free. Pia is childlike in some instances. She’s kind, naive but then she is also bitter at her lot in life. Reading her journey and character growth is amazing!
Fig is awesome!!! He is a Pia’s nanotech robot, best friend and conscience (seeing as she is the only one who can hear him!). He’s feisty, snarky, and puts Pia’s best interests ahead of everything else. He is her Jiminy Cricket and Figaro. He’s playful and makes Pia’s bland life bright.
The Twisted Game
The plot of the story revolves around the death of the Founder and change in management at the Company. With the change in management comes a game that security talks about and Pia is clueless of. Also with the change comes Marco and Sofia to Pia’s life. Marco is kind, shy while Sofia is bitter and outgoing drawing Pia to both of them. But their appearance is a little odd, along with the Company granting deadline extensions and acting like they no longer care about the work Pia and her father do. Every time this is mentioned in the book, it gave me a sense of foreboding.
David Estes has created a fantastic sci-fi version of the classic Pinocchio. I really love it!!! The elements of the original are there: Pia wants to be a real girl without strings, she’s given the task of being brave, honest, and unselfish, she must go through trusting the wrong people before she finds the truth and then her ultimate redemption. It’s fantastic!!! Did I say that already 😉 The sci-fi elements are probably my favorite part of the story. The entire book takes place inside the Company (creepy, right?!). There’s a black, fluid ceiling that allows her strings to be controlled and moved throughout the complex. It’s just great!!!
My Conclusion
Strings is an absolute MUST READ for all young adult, sci-fi fans. Pia is a wonderful character that drew on my heart immediately and her playful sidekick Fig, it was so hard for me to believe he wasn’t a real person but a robot! Then the story just beautiful, haunting and perfect! So what are you waiting for?! Go, get your copy!!!
Final Conclusion:
Excerpt
Happiness is perched on a branch outside my window.
A robin, resting in a nest with two blue eggs, their matte curves as perfect and unmarred and cloudless as a cornflower sky. The mama bird has been tending to her unborn babes for days, keeping them warm. I can’t wait to see them hatch.
Watching the bird and her eggs each morning while braiding my hair is my moment of peace. It’s a single pinprick moment where I can forget the world and smile without letting reality ruin things.
I often imagine that my window is on hinges, and that I can push it open, reaching my hand into the empty expanse, feeling the breeze on my skin, offering friendship to the robin and its family. The mama would land on my arm and cock her head and sing songs of life to me. She would change me with her melodies.
But the window is just a slab of thick glass, slightly blurring the view that is already ruined by the hardy metal bars rising from sill to ceiling.
A prison.
Our home.
About David Estes
David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. David grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. They now live together in their dream location, Hawaii. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and started writing full time in June 2012. Now he travels the world writing with his wife, Adele. David's a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.
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