Strings by David Estes - Launch Tour - Excerpt, Review, and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the launch tour for Strings by David Estes.  This launch tour runs from February 15th - 17th, 2016.  Read on to see the official blurb, an excerpt from the story, learn about the author, my review of Strings, and the chance to enter a tour wide giveaway.  Beginning tonight, Monday, February 15th,  at 6pm and going to 12am, David Estes is hosting Get Real: Strings by David Estes Launch Party on Facebook.  Many authors will be dropping by, including bestsellers Rysa Walker (author of the Chronos Files series) and Caragh O'Brien (author of The Vault of Dreamers series), for a night of giveaways and fun.  

"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.

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Excerpt: 

The strings are as black as polished ebony, twirling down from the viscous ceiling, which moves like dark waters lapping on a bleak and empty shore. Almost like it’s breathing: in and out, in and out. Not solid, but molten like lava; the dark ceiling flows from room to room throughout the entire compound, allowing my strings to move gracefully and unfettered without getting tangled. According to Papa, the gelatinous ceiling was invented late in the 21st century under the name dream oil. Basically the thick liquid substance can float within designated electromagnetic fields (like a rectangular ceiling space) and yet create enough internal friction to secure various fixtures, such as lights or ceiling fans (or strings). The ceiling controls the strings, sometimes seeming to read my mind before even I know what I’m thinking. Pulling me right when I’m about to turn left. Raising my hand when I’m about to drop it to my side. Bending me to its every will and whim, which most of the time feels like exactly the same thing.

The strings are connected to me in fifteen obtrusive places. One in each thumb, one in each hand, one in each foot. My elbows and knees are connected, too. One in each hip and shoulder for balance, and one final string plugged into the crown of my head, forcing me to look people in the eyes, even if I don’t want to. There are thin silver circles implanted in my flesh where each string enters my skin. As far as I can tell, there’s no way to pull the strings out, unless some kind of special tool is required. So long as I do what’s expected of me, the strings mostly leave me alone, sort of like they’re a part of me, moving as I move, staying out of my way. But if I veer off course for even a second, they’re always there to pull me back in line; I’m a marionette maneuvered by a skillful and indifferent puppeteer, jerking me around without regard for the pain it causes.

Like the mangled scissors I tried to cut my strings with, I’m bent. Not literally—my strings are as taut and tight as ever—but inside, where no one can see. I’m bent like a cracked toothpick.

Bent.

But not broken.

About the Author:

David Estes is the author of more than 20 science fiction and fantasy novels that have received hundreds of thousands of downloads worldwide, including The Moon Dwellers, Fire Country, Slip, Brew, and his new SciFi Pinocchio retelling, Strings. He lives in Hawaii with his inspiring Aussie wife, Adele, rambunctious son, Beau, and naughty cat, Bailey. When he's not writing, you'll likely find him at the beach swimming, snorkeling, or reading under an umbrella.

Find David via Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Website, Official Fan Group, Instagram, Tumblr

My Review:

 

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

I received a free eARC of Strings by David Estes in exchange for an honest review.

Pia lives in a facility where mechanical wires, her strings, control her life. She is apprenticed to her father, Gio - who is also controlled by strings - and they design cutting edge nanotech devices for the Company. She quickly realizes that diabolical human forces control their strings - control them. The memories of her past has always eluded her, but she begins to take comfort in two new "friends" that have suddenly been introduced into her life, Sofia and Marco. The more time she spends with them, the more her memories begin to come back to her. Pia knows she needs to escape both her strings and the Company in order to reach freedom, but first she'll have to deal with her "friends" and Mr. Davis, the unstable head of security to uncover the identity of her puppeteer.

Strings by David Estes is a futuristic retelling of the classic Pinocchio fairy tale. Before this I can't say I've ever read a retelling of that particular tale, so I didn't quite know what to expect when I began. I always enjoy a good fairy tale retelling, and this is no exception. I loved getting to know Pia and familiarize myself with her world at the Company's facility. Estes does a fantastic job of integrating classic elements of Pinocchio into his sci-fi reworking. For example, I really liked Fig - the answer to Jiminy Cricket - and the hives - instead of the growing nose. I only wish we could have learned a bit more about Mr. Davis and his background, as well as the outside world.

There is so much to like about this story from great character development, plenty of twists and turns, and excellent pacing. If you enjoy YA fairy tale retellings with a hearty dash of sci-fi, you will love Strings by David Estes. I am looking forward to this author's future projects!

I read this eARC from January 17 - February 5, 2016 and my review is also on Goodreads.

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