What do you think?
Rate this book
Dividers
Doing the right thing...in the wrong moment...can destroy an empire. Dividers is ferocious and delicious in its execution.
Earl Calbraw, a wealthy man seeking redemption, has discovered that his most cruel and resourceful enemy is none other than his own son Jacob. With both of them controlling massive fortunes, their personal feud decimates the lives of those in their employ. Jacob wants the truth from twelve years ago; regarding the disappearance of his mother, while his father pursues the forgiveness of a world scarred by the greed of his ambition. Each man is mindlessly caught up in the passion of the game, having at one another with ferocity and cunning, but in the throes of their hatred, another enemy is born, discerning and ruthless, inspired unto their destruction…
“I despise your plight,” said the creature, “of man’s vanity and the machinations of death polluted. You have neither the wisdom, nor the time on this earth to know the agony that my agony has shaken. Your foolish little versions of hell are but childish notions of your own distress. Come to dance with me on the edge of night… I will show you the swordfish in your flesh!” –Thretch.
Earl Calbraw, a wealthy man seeking redemption, has discovered that his most cruel and resourceful enemy is none other than his own son Jacob. With both of them controlling massive fortunes, their personal feud decimates the lives of those in their employ. Jacob wants the truth from twelve years ago; regarding the disappearance of his mother, while his father pursues the forgiveness of a world scarred by the greed of his ambition. Each man is mindlessly caught up in the passion of the game, having at one another with ferocity and cunning, but in the throes of their hatred, another enemy is born, discerning and ruthless, inspired unto their destruction…
“I despise your plight,” said the creature, “of man’s vanity and the machinations of death polluted. You have neither the wisdom, nor the time on this earth to know the agony that my agony has shaken. Your foolish little versions of hell are but childish notions of your own distress. Come to dance with me on the edge of night… I will show you the swordfish in your flesh!” –Thretch.
608 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2014
90 people are currently reading
1453 people want to read
About the author
Travis Adams Irish
8 books16 followersI'd rather not bore you with the typical biography. I was born...I got older and uglier. My most significant struggles have had to do with occasional battles against madness, and the diligence that it takes to remain grounded in a sometimes shockingly callous society. At age nineteen, I ventured out into the world; a troubled young man with obsessive-compulsive habits, a wrath of god temper, and a skewed sense of judgment, completely devoid of objectivity. It goes without saying that the world had to give me a fairly rough beating to help me find my more humble roots.
At age twenty-one, I broke both of my hands within six months due to outbursts of anger. It wasn't until I became estranged from my family that this temper began to subside. During that same time in my life, I liked to binge drink, and sometimes found myself in odd situations. I left a party one night...forgetting that I was still wearing a toga. At another party, I sat down on a fish tank that belonged to someone with whom I wasn't personally acquainted. Another night I found myself driving at 110 miles an hour on the highway at 1:30 am, screaming, "There are no [insert expletive here] cops in this town!" I can literally watch the joker sticking his head out the window in a scene from the film The Dark Knight, and say, "I remember what that feels like."
While these are not shining staples in my history, I did promise you honesty, and that is what I have delivered. The story does take a turn for the better, as I discovered a means to let go of my teenage fears and anger, replacing them with strength and a more moderate outlook on life. This period could be considered my renaissance; a time when I reinvented myself on multiple levels, and sought constant improvement. This is also when I became less of a tyrant, and developed a sense of empathy and justice. I suppose this is why I am able to write the protagonist and antagonist with ease, though I dare not ask which better suits my abilities.
As for my writing, I have spent many late nights bleeding my pain into thousands of pages. Sometimes the pen is almost an extension of the veins in your arms, and you simply inject every horrifying, lonely moment into that otherwise blank, white background. You then find yourself reading an editorial review which states that your work was disturbing and cruel, and have to ask yourself if it was that bad...when you experienced it in real life. Although there are some dark shadows in my past, they are not beyond repair, and I feel fortunate that people are willing to give me the opportunity to entertain them. I suppose that for an artist there is nothing greater than knowing that your work hit the mark - except perhaps, that it changed the life of some poor soul. If that can happen, even one time, then all of those hundreds of hours at the keyboard were well worth the effort.
Best,
-Irish.
At age twenty-one, I broke both of my hands within six months due to outbursts of anger. It wasn't until I became estranged from my family that this temper began to subside. During that same time in my life, I liked to binge drink, and sometimes found myself in odd situations. I left a party one night...forgetting that I was still wearing a toga. At another party, I sat down on a fish tank that belonged to someone with whom I wasn't personally acquainted. Another night I found myself driving at 110 miles an hour on the highway at 1:30 am, screaming, "There are no [insert expletive here] cops in this town!" I can literally watch the joker sticking his head out the window in a scene from the film The Dark Knight, and say, "I remember what that feels like."
While these are not shining staples in my history, I did promise you honesty, and that is what I have delivered. The story does take a turn for the better, as I discovered a means to let go of my teenage fears and anger, replacing them with strength and a more moderate outlook on life. This period could be considered my renaissance; a time when I reinvented myself on multiple levels, and sought constant improvement. This is also when I became less of a tyrant, and developed a sense of empathy and justice. I suppose this is why I am able to write the protagonist and antagonist with ease, though I dare not ask which better suits my abilities.
As for my writing, I have spent many late nights bleeding my pain into thousands of pages. Sometimes the pen is almost an extension of the veins in your arms, and you simply inject every horrifying, lonely moment into that otherwise blank, white background. You then find yourself reading an editorial review which states that your work was disturbing and cruel, and have to ask yourself if it was that bad...when you experienced it in real life. Although there are some dark shadows in my past, they are not beyond repair, and I feel fortunate that people are willing to give me the opportunity to entertain them. I suppose that for an artist there is nothing greater than knowing that your work hit the mark - except perhaps, that it changed the life of some poor soul. If that can happen, even one time, then all of those hundreds of hours at the keyboard were well worth the effort.
Best,
-Irish.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 22, 2014
This is the most unique book I have read in years.
Vastly intrigued by the author's very candid biography, I skimmed the synopsis for this book and thought it was worth a read. I did not think it would be my type of book in the first few pages, but somewhere around Chapter Two and 5%, I got totally sucked in and found myself flipping pages eagerly to learn what happens next.
I liked Jacob more than I expected to, and I cared a great deal about his fate. There were moments where I was staring at the pages in utter shock at his cruelty, and then, somehow, I liked him again. This author has a magical touch and I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this unique, stylish, and masterfully executed story.
The way he writes about interpersonal relationships between family members, and between males and females is so imaginative and precise. I can visualize every scene so clearly, and it certainly keeps me guessing. Reading this story was a real treat, and I felt completely gripped. I felt like I was stuck inside a disturbing movie and terrified of what was going to happen next, but unable to stop watching.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a surprising and gut-wrenching read. There are some formatting issues in the kindle edition I read, but the story is so great that you should be able to overlook it easily.
Vastly intrigued by the author's very candid biography, I skimmed the synopsis for this book and thought it was worth a read. I did not think it would be my type of book in the first few pages, but somewhere around Chapter Two and 5%, I got totally sucked in and found myself flipping pages eagerly to learn what happens next.
I liked Jacob more than I expected to, and I cared a great deal about his fate. There were moments where I was staring at the pages in utter shock at his cruelty, and then, somehow, I liked him again. This author has a magical touch and I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this unique, stylish, and masterfully executed story.
The way he writes about interpersonal relationships between family members, and between males and females is so imaginative and precise. I can visualize every scene so clearly, and it certainly keeps me guessing. Reading this story was a real treat, and I felt completely gripped. I felt like I was stuck inside a disturbing movie and terrified of what was going to happen next, but unable to stop watching.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a surprising and gut-wrenching read. There are some formatting issues in the kindle edition I read, but the story is so great that you should be able to overlook it easily.
February 22, 2015
An avenging spirit that wants nothing more than to cause mayhem. A billionaire that enjoys tormenting people for his own 'experiments'. And a man and his son struggling to find their ways in the world.
what could possibly go wrong, right?
beautifully written and with a cast of characters that will draw you in, Dividers is a masterpiece of fiction. I admit, I still think Jacob is a tool, and i kind of care about Kelvin and his son, but there is only so far you can push the characters before they start blurring together.
I definately recommend this book, and cant wait for the next one from this author!
4.5/5
what could possibly go wrong, right?
beautifully written and with a cast of characters that will draw you in, Dividers is a masterpiece of fiction. I admit, I still think Jacob is a tool, and i kind of care about Kelvin and his son, but there is only so far you can push the characters before they start blurring together.
I definately recommend this book, and cant wait for the next one from this author!
4.5/5
April 25, 2015
I can honestly say I have read no other book like "Dividers". This fast paced suspense novel is strewn with a maddening story that makes you question and think throughout its many plot twists. I can't pick a specific genre that would fit this story ideally, but if you're interested in a gripping thought-provoking tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter to the last page- pick up this book.
This story follows Earl, a wealthy man with the world at his fingertips who has a less than pleasant past and Jacob- his son who is skeptical of his father and determined to know the truths of his mother's mysterious disappearance when he was younger. The book has an aire of mystery that leaves you questioning everything until the end. It grips you from the beginning and doesn't let go until you've finished the entire story. It truly is a book that you won't be able to put down once you've picked it up.
The main characters capture your attention from the very first page- but don't necessarily capture your heart. Jacob, in particularly, is somewhat likeable but he's also the character you love to hate. It's rare that a writer creates a story where there isn't necessarily a heroic good doer, but Dividers is a tale that is different from the rest. In fact, the negative aspects of every single character make them more relatable- likeable in a way. There's nothing fake about them. They're true to mankind in every sense- including being terribly flawed. I love characters that stick with you long after the story's been finished, and the characters in this book do just that. But contrary to other stories, they don't stay with you because they're admirable- they stay with you, because the author did such an exquisite job of bringing them to life that they're not easily forgotten.
The New York backdrop was described immaculately. It's hard to adequately capture the essence of NY, but this author did a great job of envisioning the scenery in great detail. Every place the book took me, I could clearly see what the author was describing. I love reading books that transport you to a different era or area- and this book did just that.
It's very rare that a book haunt me for a while after I've finished, but Dividers is a thinker. I feel like there are so many subconcious messages the author put across in their story. I could delve into a dozen philosophies strewn through these pages, but I feel that the best art is interpreted by each individual- and I'll let you over-analyze this story on your own. Well-written and definitely worth the read, I'd highly recommend Dividers for someone with an empty afternoon- because once you start reading you won't be able to stop.
This story follows Earl, a wealthy man with the world at his fingertips who has a less than pleasant past and Jacob- his son who is skeptical of his father and determined to know the truths of his mother's mysterious disappearance when he was younger. The book has an aire of mystery that leaves you questioning everything until the end. It grips you from the beginning and doesn't let go until you've finished the entire story. It truly is a book that you won't be able to put down once you've picked it up.
The main characters capture your attention from the very first page- but don't necessarily capture your heart. Jacob, in particularly, is somewhat likeable but he's also the character you love to hate. It's rare that a writer creates a story where there isn't necessarily a heroic good doer, but Dividers is a tale that is different from the rest. In fact, the negative aspects of every single character make them more relatable- likeable in a way. There's nothing fake about them. They're true to mankind in every sense- including being terribly flawed. I love characters that stick with you long after the story's been finished, and the characters in this book do just that. But contrary to other stories, they don't stay with you because they're admirable- they stay with you, because the author did such an exquisite job of bringing them to life that they're not easily forgotten.
The New York backdrop was described immaculately. It's hard to adequately capture the essence of NY, but this author did a great job of envisioning the scenery in great detail. Every place the book took me, I could clearly see what the author was describing. I love reading books that transport you to a different era or area- and this book did just that.
It's very rare that a book haunt me for a while after I've finished, but Dividers is a thinker. I feel like there are so many subconcious messages the author put across in their story. I could delve into a dozen philosophies strewn through these pages, but I feel that the best art is interpreted by each individual- and I'll let you over-analyze this story on your own. Well-written and definitely worth the read, I'd highly recommend Dividers for someone with an empty afternoon- because once you start reading you won't be able to stop.
May 3, 2015
Jacob Calway blames his billionaire father, Earl Calway, for the disappearance of his mother when he was a child. Thus is the stage set for the confrontation between father and sibling, and Jacob is hurled on a path of destruction that will take him face to face with dark forces beyond his understanding, and more so, his control.
Needless to say, with both in possession of vast fortunes, their dispute inevitably leads to suffering of all those in their path.
As the confrontation between Jacob and his father unfolds, we are also introduced to Kelvin, a father desperately trying to save his son, which further delves into the father-son relationship with an even more emotional perspective.
And if the first part of the novel isn’t thrilling enough, the second part unfolds with an even more powerful confrontation.
Travis Irish’s “Dividers” is a gripping novel that not only entices with passionate storytelling, but also invites to reflection over morality and class struggles, blurring the lines between good and evil.
The plot and characters caught my attention from the very beginning and did not let go until the very end, each page building upon the tension and force of the previous one. For some characters I could not help but feel sorrow, for others a feeling of loathing as their actions unfolded, but at a certain point, I had these feelings turned upside down, a consequence of the original storytelling and surprises that the author has laid out in the book’s pages. Through the masterful craft of the descriptions of each character, the story came alive. I could feel the emotions and understand where each one was coming from as well as their personal motivations.
Such richness is scarce in many novels nowadays, where authors only focus on storytelling, and characters fall flat or are easily forgotten to the reader. This is not the case, however, with Jacob, Earl, Kevin, and Thretch. These are all memorable, well-defined characters that will linger in your thoughts long after finishing the book.
Even the titles of each chapter are well thought-out, such as “An Apple for an Arrow”, or “1,000 Kelvins”, which provide subtleties that show just how much detail went into the creation of “Dividers”.
In closing, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and hope to read many more from the author, as he provides not only a great story and characters, but also profound topics to reflect upon.
Needless to say, with both in possession of vast fortunes, their dispute inevitably leads to suffering of all those in their path.
As the confrontation between Jacob and his father unfolds, we are also introduced to Kelvin, a father desperately trying to save his son, which further delves into the father-son relationship with an even more emotional perspective.
And if the first part of the novel isn’t thrilling enough, the second part unfolds with an even more powerful confrontation.
Travis Irish’s “Dividers” is a gripping novel that not only entices with passionate storytelling, but also invites to reflection over morality and class struggles, blurring the lines between good and evil.
The plot and characters caught my attention from the very beginning and did not let go until the very end, each page building upon the tension and force of the previous one. For some characters I could not help but feel sorrow, for others a feeling of loathing as their actions unfolded, but at a certain point, I had these feelings turned upside down, a consequence of the original storytelling and surprises that the author has laid out in the book’s pages. Through the masterful craft of the descriptions of each character, the story came alive. I could feel the emotions and understand where each one was coming from as well as their personal motivations.
Such richness is scarce in many novels nowadays, where authors only focus on storytelling, and characters fall flat or are easily forgotten to the reader. This is not the case, however, with Jacob, Earl, Kevin, and Thretch. These are all memorable, well-defined characters that will linger in your thoughts long after finishing the book.
Even the titles of each chapter are well thought-out, such as “An Apple for an Arrow”, or “1,000 Kelvins”, which provide subtleties that show just how much detail went into the creation of “Dividers”.
In closing, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and hope to read many more from the author, as he provides not only a great story and characters, but also profound topics to reflect upon.
June 20, 2015
Dividers is probably the most unusual novel I have read to date this year. The book has a complex plot told in a circular fashion. So although I will not divulge spoilers, please bear with me as I try to tell you what Dividers is about.
This unusual literary read starts off by telling us about a spirit called Thretch who can inhabit the bodies of select me and take control. Thretch has been doing this for centuries. Jacob Calbraw, a billionaire businessman and heir to the Calbraw fortune is Thretch's latest host. Part I of this book is about The Calbraws and is set a few years into the future. Jacob wakes to find himself bloody and injured from a huge bar brawl but more disturbingly he has recollection of burying a little girl. He races to save the girl and in intercepted by Nicodemus, the antithesis of Thretch sent to stop his destruction.
We are then taken back three weeks in time and we learn of Jacob's acrimonious relationship with his father, Earl, and the origins of his hate and distrust for him. Earl and Jacob seem to have been embroiled in cat and mouse games for several years, their animosity dating back further than the abduction of Jacob's mother thirteen years ago, her body was never found and Jacob cannot believe she died. We are introduced to the hardworking Carvers, and their subsequent militant stance against fat cats when they face tragedy. The Story of these past three weeks are told in a sequence of intriguing tableaux that become significantly related as you read on. The theme of the greedy rich versus the downtrodden poor is central to the story.
Part II of the book is about the malevolent spirit Thretch, his past and how he develops a relationship with his host Jacob. Mysteries are eventually solved in this second part, but not without a few whiplash as a result of some sharp twists and turns.
This long and complex novel kept me interested and each tableau was as compelling as the next. The dramatic events in the book and my curiosity to find out more about the characters kept me turning pages, however, I found the pace variable throughout, and a professional edit would make this compelling read even better. The novel has action in spades too.
Dividers is a marmite book; I think you will either get swept away by the narrative or you won't, if you are swept away this is actually a very worthy and enjoyable read in which to invest your time.
Dividers is available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
This unusual literary read starts off by telling us about a spirit called Thretch who can inhabit the bodies of select me and take control. Thretch has been doing this for centuries. Jacob Calbraw, a billionaire businessman and heir to the Calbraw fortune is Thretch's latest host. Part I of this book is about The Calbraws and is set a few years into the future. Jacob wakes to find himself bloody and injured from a huge bar brawl but more disturbingly he has recollection of burying a little girl. He races to save the girl and in intercepted by Nicodemus, the antithesis of Thretch sent to stop his destruction.
We are then taken back three weeks in time and we learn of Jacob's acrimonious relationship with his father, Earl, and the origins of his hate and distrust for him. Earl and Jacob seem to have been embroiled in cat and mouse games for several years, their animosity dating back further than the abduction of Jacob's mother thirteen years ago, her body was never found and Jacob cannot believe she died. We are introduced to the hardworking Carvers, and their subsequent militant stance against fat cats when they face tragedy. The Story of these past three weeks are told in a sequence of intriguing tableaux that become significantly related as you read on. The theme of the greedy rich versus the downtrodden poor is central to the story.
Part II of the book is about the malevolent spirit Thretch, his past and how he develops a relationship with his host Jacob. Mysteries are eventually solved in this second part, but not without a few whiplash as a result of some sharp twists and turns.
This long and complex novel kept me interested and each tableau was as compelling as the next. The dramatic events in the book and my curiosity to find out more about the characters kept me turning pages, however, I found the pace variable throughout, and a professional edit would make this compelling read even better. The novel has action in spades too.
Dividers is a marmite book; I think you will either get swept away by the narrative or you won't, if you are swept away this is actually a very worthy and enjoyable read in which to invest your time.
Dividers is available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
March 3, 2015
Dividers is a fantastically fast paced and exhilarating ride which you have trouble putting down once you’ve picked it up! With a lot of books of this size the first few chapters are a slog to get through as they are filled with world building and descriptions, but Dividers brilliantly takes you straight into the action and the revelations and it worse off for it at all. Dividers is the kind of novel that blends action, intrigue, mystery, and the supernatural into one seamlessly and believably
Jacob is a complicated character and even after finishing the book my opinions on him still fluctuate and change, he is simultaneously someone that I feel great pity for but he also acts in abominable ways which make it difficult not to hate him. His introduction to the story gives just a taste of what he’s capable of and the power and influence he has, and just when you think you’ve got a hold on what a bad guy he is it gets considerably worse. But the author truly brings out the contradiction of this man and as the story continues more questions about him arise and you begin to question if some of his actions are excusable given the circumstances of his past and present. Jacob’s obsession with finding information relating to the abduction of his mother is the driving force behind the plot and creates a rift between him and his father Earl. Earl is overall a more empathic character who is looking to atone for his years of misdeeds, a particularly interesting theme which runs throughout the novel, especially since the rift between father and son is huge and seemingly unfixable and Jacob will do anything to hamper Earl’s attempts and make his life hell and his redemption impossible.
The themes of class divides and the use of money to get whatever you want are strong within this novel and paint a troubling and dark picture. The characters are unbelievably complex and many are ruthless, unspeakably cruel individuals who will stop at nothing to get what they desire. The supernatural aspects add something unique and challenging to the story and raise as many questions as they answer, this novel gives the reader a lot of challenging ideas and issues to contemplate within the context of a beautifully crafted story.
All in all this is an excellent story, a disturbing and exhilarating read which will stay in your mind for a long time after you’ve finished it.
Jacob is a complicated character and even after finishing the book my opinions on him still fluctuate and change, he is simultaneously someone that I feel great pity for but he also acts in abominable ways which make it difficult not to hate him. His introduction to the story gives just a taste of what he’s capable of and the power and influence he has, and just when you think you’ve got a hold on what a bad guy he is it gets considerably worse. But the author truly brings out the contradiction of this man and as the story continues more questions about him arise and you begin to question if some of his actions are excusable given the circumstances of his past and present. Jacob’s obsession with finding information relating to the abduction of his mother is the driving force behind the plot and creates a rift between him and his father Earl. Earl is overall a more empathic character who is looking to atone for his years of misdeeds, a particularly interesting theme which runs throughout the novel, especially since the rift between father and son is huge and seemingly unfixable and Jacob will do anything to hamper Earl’s attempts and make his life hell and his redemption impossible.
The themes of class divides and the use of money to get whatever you want are strong within this novel and paint a troubling and dark picture. The characters are unbelievably complex and many are ruthless, unspeakably cruel individuals who will stop at nothing to get what they desire. The supernatural aspects add something unique and challenging to the story and raise as many questions as they answer, this novel gives the reader a lot of challenging ideas and issues to contemplate within the context of a beautifully crafted story.
All in all this is an excellent story, a disturbing and exhilarating read which will stay in your mind for a long time after you’ve finished it.
December 2, 2014
I will admit that I have a tendency to judge a book by its cover, and the cover for Dividers leaves a lot to be desired. Though a friend had told me it was a great story, I had low expectations. Luckily for me, those expectations were wrong, and I was completely gripped within the first five pages and thrown into a lavish world of intrigue, betrayal and class warfare.
First, let me just say that very rarely have I ever read a character quite like Jacob. To evoke both intense hatred and pity simultaneously from the reader is an incredible feat, and his blatant disregard for human life and lack of empathy was reminiscent of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.
The world in which most of these characters live is excellently depicted, and the extravagance and lavishness of the world of the super rich is greatly entertaining, and I was especially fond of the Club Of Hearts.
The plot is excellently paced, and assaults come from all sides and varying parties as the characters try to keep their heads afloat. Many fantastic surprise attacks, double plays and a constant feeling of being unsure who to root for will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Now for the negatives. Prose is a bit heavy at times. When describing locales or events, it was great, but with regards to characters, it felt overdone. There's no need to spend an entire paragraph explaining exactly how a character is sitting. I also found the inclusion of ® beside every name brand item to be distracting and incredibly obtrusive from the work overall. Seeing the little ® pop up every time someone mentions Nike or Bose pulls you out of the fiction at hand and back into the real world where trademarks exist. Considering that you're allowed to use those items in fiction without trademarking them, its a fairly easy fix on the authors part to just find and replace them.
Overall, a fantastic read with an expertly timed plot and some amazingly vile characters that are sure to keep audiences entertained as they unravel the mysteries and intrigue of the Calbraw family.
First, let me just say that very rarely have I ever read a character quite like Jacob. To evoke both intense hatred and pity simultaneously from the reader is an incredible feat, and his blatant disregard for human life and lack of empathy was reminiscent of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.
The world in which most of these characters live is excellently depicted, and the extravagance and lavishness of the world of the super rich is greatly entertaining, and I was especially fond of the Club Of Hearts.
The plot is excellently paced, and assaults come from all sides and varying parties as the characters try to keep their heads afloat. Many fantastic surprise attacks, double plays and a constant feeling of being unsure who to root for will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Now for the negatives. Prose is a bit heavy at times. When describing locales or events, it was great, but with regards to characters, it felt overdone. There's no need to spend an entire paragraph explaining exactly how a character is sitting. I also found the inclusion of ® beside every name brand item to be distracting and incredibly obtrusive from the work overall. Seeing the little ® pop up every time someone mentions Nike or Bose pulls you out of the fiction at hand and back into the real world where trademarks exist. Considering that you're allowed to use those items in fiction without trademarking them, its a fairly easy fix on the authors part to just find and replace them.
Overall, a fantastic read with an expertly timed plot and some amazingly vile characters that are sure to keep audiences entertained as they unravel the mysteries and intrigue of the Calbraw family.
February 14, 2015
Earl Calbraw is a man with a lot of money, a lot of power, and a lot of regrets. He hurt a lot of people while fighting his way to the top, and now he is trying to make amends for the pain he caused. But there is one major roadblock on his road to atonement-his son, Jacob.
Jacob is heartless and cruel; he loves spreading pain, suffering, and humiliation wherever he goes. But his main goal in life is to destroy his father and dismantle his empire. He also wants the truth, and he will stop at nothing to get it.
But their darkness and hatred has called forth something even darker, and the evil it brings may destroy more than they could ever imagine.
Travis Adams Irish drops you in the middle of a dark and dangerous world in Dividers. A world where father and son are out to destroy each other, where too much money causes too much pain, where you trust no one and expect betrayal.
Irish uses his amazing talent to craft this world perfectly; you see and feel it as you read. You are right there with the characters as everything happens, and you experience it with them. There is a lot going on but you never get lost or confused because he knows exactly how to handle it.
The characters are very well developed and extremely complex, and you can tell Irish put a lot of thought behind everything he wrote. Nothing is as it seems with them; he manages to make them human and relatable while making you truly hate them at the same time.
This is a book that needs to be on your must-read list as soon as possible. I was given this book as a gift and it is one of the best things I've ever gotten. It is hard to put down, you are invested in every page, and you want to start over once you're done. Seriously need to read this book!!!
Jacob is heartless and cruel; he loves spreading pain, suffering, and humiliation wherever he goes. But his main goal in life is to destroy his father and dismantle his empire. He also wants the truth, and he will stop at nothing to get it.
But their darkness and hatred has called forth something even darker, and the evil it brings may destroy more than they could ever imagine.
Travis Adams Irish drops you in the middle of a dark and dangerous world in Dividers. A world where father and son are out to destroy each other, where too much money causes too much pain, where you trust no one and expect betrayal.
Irish uses his amazing talent to craft this world perfectly; you see and feel it as you read. You are right there with the characters as everything happens, and you experience it with them. There is a lot going on but you never get lost or confused because he knows exactly how to handle it.
The characters are very well developed and extremely complex, and you can tell Irish put a lot of thought behind everything he wrote. Nothing is as it seems with them; he manages to make them human and relatable while making you truly hate them at the same time.
This is a book that needs to be on your must-read list as soon as possible. I was given this book as a gift and it is one of the best things I've ever gotten. It is hard to put down, you are invested in every page, and you want to start over once you're done. Seriously need to read this book!!!
December 22, 2014
I was gifted this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This book deals with family relations and the edge of one's darkest feelings. It's not your average type of book and Jacob is certainly not your average type of character. The story quickly draws you in, making you equally love and hate certain characters and events - also making you redefine what's right and wrong for yourself.
"Dividers" is great for anyone who loves a fascinating, complex, thrilling and unique story. Just when I finished it, I felt the need to start over again. Don't think twice about making the purchase -. it's worth it. This is very good storytelling - absolutely entertaining, which I can't mention often enough to do it justice. You'll be hooked from the start. As a fellow writer I started out most sceptically, but now I find myself strongly recommending Travis Irish's novel.
In case you're still unsure - read the free excerpt and I trust you'll be convinced. It might be late for a christmas gift, but if you're an avid reader you should gift it to yourself.
My personal experience was that I feel "Dividers" needs more attention. Not many books as abstract and complex can be discovered these days. It's an easy read. I certainly lost my sense of time while diving into this book. Because the style of Irish's writing simply flows so naturally. I never believed I'd feel with the character Jacob, when I began reading. Boy, was I surprised!
There's not much more to add to what the previous reviewers have written. Read it! I swear you won't regret it.
5 and 1/2 Stars from me
This book deals with family relations and the edge of one's darkest feelings. It's not your average type of book and Jacob is certainly not your average type of character. The story quickly draws you in, making you equally love and hate certain characters and events - also making you redefine what's right and wrong for yourself.
"Dividers" is great for anyone who loves a fascinating, complex, thrilling and unique story. Just when I finished it, I felt the need to start over again. Don't think twice about making the purchase -. it's worth it. This is very good storytelling - absolutely entertaining, which I can't mention often enough to do it justice. You'll be hooked from the start. As a fellow writer I started out most sceptically, but now I find myself strongly recommending Travis Irish's novel.
In case you're still unsure - read the free excerpt and I trust you'll be convinced. It might be late for a christmas gift, but if you're an avid reader you should gift it to yourself.
My personal experience was that I feel "Dividers" needs more attention. Not many books as abstract and complex can be discovered these days. It's an easy read. I certainly lost my sense of time while diving into this book. Because the style of Irish's writing simply flows so naturally. I never believed I'd feel with the character Jacob, when I began reading. Boy, was I surprised!
There's not much more to add to what the previous reviewers have written. Read it! I swear you won't regret it.
5 and 1/2 Stars from me
January 23, 2015
I loved The Dividers. Right from the first few pages I was hooked and as the plot unfolded I had to keep making myself slow down as it felt I was reading each successive page quicker than the last to find out what would happen next. The lead character Jacob is incredibly complex. I know the anti-hero type protagonist is quite popular these days, but few writers manage to pull off the balance of love him and loath him as Travis Adams Irish has done here. The story itself is quite unique, and I could tell a lot of feeling and personal experience must have gone into its formulation, but rather than give anything more away I’d just say it’s much better to find out for yourself.
November 19, 2014
A pleasantly gripping story of wealth, suspense and thrills. As Jacob hunts for the person who is behind his mother's disappearance, Earl, his father, has to do everything in his power to stop him (Jacob) from finding the truth. This captivating story perfectly captures how extravagant, wealthy men destroy their lives and others' all for a bit of something no one really understands but them.
In a nutshell, a captivating story that hooks the reader right from the first and keeps the reader's interest throughout. Loved it.
In a nutshell, a captivating story that hooks the reader right from the first and keeps the reader's interest throughout. Loved it.
January 17, 2015
Admittedly, I found the first few pages rough but definitely worth it to keep going. I thought this was a fantastic story filled with richly complex characters that made you connect with them because they’re so humanly complicated. What I found unique and really liked in addition to the story was that it was told in present tense, similar to a script, which appealed to me since it’s so different from the majority of other books. You’re on the journey with Jacob in real time so to speak which gives it a more unique and in depth perspective as the reader. Overall definite thumbs up!
January 11, 2015
I was captivated by the energy that this book delivered. I felt pumped up during the intense scenes and I still find myself thinking about the characters even hours after I have finished the book.
The words are engaging, and the characters are dynamic. I loved the metaphors in the book, and I am shocked to admit that I battled with my own like and dislike for the villain -- when you read it, you will understand.
Great story, and I hope to read more from the Author.
The words are engaging, and the characters are dynamic. I loved the metaphors in the book, and I am shocked to admit that I battled with my own like and dislike for the villain -- when you read it, you will understand.
Great story, and I hope to read more from the Author.
April 21, 2015
Imaginative, but...
...this book desperately needs a good editor. The narrative is over-written and doesn't always flow. The writing in places is decidedly amateurish. I wouldn't recommend it, unless one is a fan of sprawling, over-the-top storytelling.
...this book desperately needs a good editor. The narrative is over-written and doesn't always flow. The writing in places is decidedly amateurish. I wouldn't recommend it, unless one is a fan of sprawling, over-the-top storytelling.
April 7, 2015
Powerful and brutal. It speaks about humanity on so many levels and glimpses into what we can become.
October 24, 2017
The title of this book is very appropriate for the contents. The author really knew how to draw you in in every social aspect in the story. Dividers, socially, economically, politically, religiously, racially, mentally every aspect of the term was explored in this book. There was story within story, past meet present. So much present and past destruction collides in a world set upon total devastation from like Threck likes to kill, the inside out! Jacob was a troubled, mentally psychopath with too much time and money on his hands. He didn't know true evil till Threck came along and helped solve his mothers murder,and venge her death. He may be stuck with Threck, but they deserve each other, and I don't think with all the horrific shit he did to women it's not a bad deal. Now Kelvin is the most transformed of all, and the best character in the story. He went from being bred of a legacy of generations past to a complacent conformist, to a broken man, to rebel,to survivor now that's a true hero! Now what Earl Calbraw is planning to do by exposing his fellow big wigs, I pray his character types in the real world succeed in their endeavors, because they never get far when they try and lead in the path of righteousness.
August 18, 2019
This may be the worst book I have ever read. Certainly it’s one of the most irritating. The plot is silly, the narrative disjointed. I have seen better character development in comic books published long before there were graphic novels. The author violates a basic tenet of fiction writing on nearly every page by telling instead of showing, and compounds that by telling things that don’t matter and add nothing to the story. He has a mania for unnecessary modifiers, and, in a stupefying display of false erudition, uses numerous words in highly unusual ways, not creatively, just wrongly. I’m sorry I wasted my time reading this book, but rest assured, I won’t repeat the mistake by reading anything else by Mr. Irish.
October 26, 2018
There are different stories all mixed up in one book:
- Wealthy and immoral people. This story is happening in a close future where wealthy people dominate everything and everyone, including the politicians and the US president. In this first part there's much to think about, not just because of the similarities with the present situation but also it makes you wonder where we're heading to.
- Father and son. Two billionaires who love and hate each other since the mother's death.
More in my blog: https://bit.ly/2O8rNeD
- Wealthy and immoral people. This story is happening in a close future where wealthy people dominate everything and everyone, including the politicians and the US president. In this first part there's much to think about, not just because of the similarities with the present situation but also it makes you wonder where we're heading to.
- Father and son. Two billionaires who love and hate each other since the mother's death.
More in my blog: https://bit.ly/2O8rNeD
May 25, 2019
Definitely a unique and odd book. I don't know how to categorize it. Hard to tell were it is going for the first half to two thirds of the story. Not sure how I feel about the ending. A solid 3.5 to 4 stars.
April 26, 2015
Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely; and, money is the source of power. When the quest for more and more wealth is added to the mix, along with the insatiable desire for revenge, and a malevolent spirit that has been searching for redemption for 6,000 years is added to the mix, you have a tale that is mesmerizing.
Dividers by Travis Adams Irish is the story of Jacob Calbraw, the wealthy and spoiled son of billionaire Earl Calbraw, and his quest to discover who was responsible for the death of his mother. He has been locked for decades in a struggle with his father who is trying to make amends for his misdeeds of the past, and he finds himself possessed by Thretch, a spirit who has suffered untold deaths as he struggles to redeem himself for a failure when he was a mortal.
This is a story of personal jealousy, greed, and class warfare, as the reader follows Jacob, who struggles to break free from Thretch’s hold. Jacob’s life crosses paths with Kelvin Carver, a Harlem resident whose son dies because the rich and powerful can’t be bothered with a common man’s problems, so they stand idly by while the child dies from anaphylactic shock, causing Kelvin to seek justice through revenge.
Jacob and Kelvin are the central characters in this chilling tale, and with each near encounter, you’ll find yourself on edge waiting to see what will happen when they finally meet. Their explosive encounter will make your blood run cold. Adams has created a future world that is a chilling foreshadowing of what can happen when wealth determines the fate, not just of nations, but those who value wealth above people.
Dividers by Travis Adams Irish is the story of Jacob Calbraw, the wealthy and spoiled son of billionaire Earl Calbraw, and his quest to discover who was responsible for the death of his mother. He has been locked for decades in a struggle with his father who is trying to make amends for his misdeeds of the past, and he finds himself possessed by Thretch, a spirit who has suffered untold deaths as he struggles to redeem himself for a failure when he was a mortal.
This is a story of personal jealousy, greed, and class warfare, as the reader follows Jacob, who struggles to break free from Thretch’s hold. Jacob’s life crosses paths with Kelvin Carver, a Harlem resident whose son dies because the rich and powerful can’t be bothered with a common man’s problems, so they stand idly by while the child dies from anaphylactic shock, causing Kelvin to seek justice through revenge.
Jacob and Kelvin are the central characters in this chilling tale, and with each near encounter, you’ll find yourself on edge waiting to see what will happen when they finally meet. Their explosive encounter will make your blood run cold. Adams has created a future world that is a chilling foreshadowing of what can happen when wealth determines the fate, not just of nations, but those who value wealth above people.
September 6, 2015
Jacob is a possessed madman. This book takes you on an unexpected emotional roller coaster and is one of those unique books that leave you feeling unsettled. But not in a good way. Travis Adams Irish does a great job creating a set of original characters each with their own mental and social struggles. “Dividers” casts you into a world of the ultra-wealthy and focuses on the feud between Earl, a billionaire, and his son Jacob. Jacob is wildly violent. Tormented by his mother’s disappearance, Jacob turns to violence and drugs. He also tries to make his problems go away by throwing money at people. Readers feel a mixture of apprehension, pity, confusion and disgust towards Jacob and his actions. It’s hard to say how I feel about him. He does not fulfill the classic hero archetype. But I think that’s what makes this book so special. It’s not cookie cutter. I can tell Irish put a lot of time and effort into writing this book. My only criticism is the descriptions are way too elaborate sometimes and the beginning is a bit slow. Irish focuses a lot about describing the characters and surroundings and that bogged down the reading experience for me. Sometimes it got plain confusing and boring. The blurb also does little to explain what exactly happens in the book and I feel like it could’ve been written better. Overall a 4.3/5 stars from me. I’m glad I read this book through Kindle Unlimited! Give it a shot!
November 11, 2015
DIVIDERS ☆☆☆☆☆
A vengeful spirit that wants to harm people. A billionaire that is suffering from his mother's abduction when he was a kid, and uses people when he wants. A farther and son that has no life together because of the turmoil in their lives and hatred they have for each other.
This book is beautifully written and has a strong sense of character. I picked this book because of the cover and I am so pleased that is has to do with what the cover is displaying.
The Father wants to change his life.
The Son just want what he want and don't care who he hurts.
The Unholy Spirit is just what his title is.
This is a great book to read if you are interested in what the cover says.
A vengeful spirit that wants to harm people. A billionaire that is suffering from his mother's abduction when he was a kid, and uses people when he wants. A farther and son that has no life together because of the turmoil in their lives and hatred they have for each other.
This book is beautifully written and has a strong sense of character. I picked this book because of the cover and I am so pleased that is has to do with what the cover is displaying.
The Father wants to change his life.
The Son just want what he want and don't care who he hurts.
The Unholy Spirit is just what his title is.
This is a great book to read if you are interested in what the cover says.
September 10, 2015
Powerful, intense, spooky and well written!
What an intense story! I won't give away details but this book just has so many powerful people in it that you can't stop reading it. This author has an amazing talent with coming up great characters and story plots. The section with Kelvin and his son was heart breaking and the magic show with Jacob was just so incredibility spooky! I don't think I would have been able to handle it! It's an all around amazing book that I got lost in when I started reading it! I look forward to more books from this author!!
What an intense story! I won't give away details but this book just has so many powerful people in it that you can't stop reading it. This author has an amazing talent with coming up great characters and story plots. The section with Kelvin and his son was heart breaking and the magic show with Jacob was just so incredibility spooky! I don't think I would have been able to handle it! It's an all around amazing book that I got lost in when I started reading it! I look forward to more books from this author!!
October 27, 2015
Dividers is compellingly written, I'll give it that.
It's set in the not too distant future, where billionaires rule the government and get their way.
I'm not sure how to review this book, other than to say I uncomfortably aware how timely this book is,
and didn't want to read it, but I had to read it to see what happened next.
Not sure I would recommend this to anyone else, yet it flowed and kept me reading.
It's set in the not too distant future, where billionaires rule the government and get their way.
I'm not sure how to review this book, other than to say I uncomfortably aware how timely this book is,
and didn't want to read it, but I had to read it to see what happened next.
Not sure I would recommend this to anyone else, yet it flowed and kept me reading.
March 14, 2015
This book's cover would not have made me what to find out what this book was about. It did not grab me. But I enjoyed this book. The idea of poor and rich working together was good. I think this book had a good story line and characters. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
November 4, 2016
Could have been 5 stars
I liked this book. The plot is unique and switches between time lines (not hard to follow). The characters were well developed but I believe that there was waay too much description of EVERYthing (sometimes it's good to let the readers use their imagination, even just a little). And the book needs an editor. And thus 3 stars only.
I liked this book. The plot is unique and switches between time lines (not hard to follow). The characters were well developed but I believe that there was waay too much description of EVERYthing (sometimes it's good to let the readers use their imagination, even just a little). And the book needs an editor. And thus 3 stars only.
May 9, 2015
Free copy for honest review.
This book was interesting at first but then started to get a little slow. It was very confusing in the beginning and very boring but the more I read the more I started to understand this book. Still not my favorite but it wasn’t the worst.
This book was interesting at first but then started to get a little slow. It was very confusing in the beginning and very boring but the more I read the more I started to understand this book. Still not my favorite but it wasn’t the worst.
August 19, 2015
This three-part book series was free. I just finished reading it this morning. The writer has a great way with words and twists & turns with plots. It is a mixture of mystery, suspense and the super-natural. If you enjoy novels combining these three genres you should give this book a try.
December 12, 2015
Too convoluted.
The message of the book is obvious and it is a worthwhile one. Nevertheless, there are so many other enlightened and creative ways that need not be as obscure, treacherous and even disgusting at times.
The message of the book is obvious and it is a worthwhile one. Nevertheless, there are so many other enlightened and creative ways that need not be as obscure, treacherous and even disgusting at times.
Want to Read
March 11, 2015©2014
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews