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Totally Psychic #1
Totally Psychic
This debut middle grade series stars a Cuban-American tween medium navigating friends, family and ghosts!
Paloma Ferrer is psychic. In fact, everyone in her family line has “the gift.” Now that Paloma has come into her powers, she dreams of a famous medium to celebrities, being just like her beloved grandma.
When Paloma’s parents move them from Miami to Los Angeles, she hatches a plan to get her career as a medium up and running: Host seances at her new school and stream on social media Build her profile and make a name for herself Avoid detection from her tattletale of a little sister
But when a reading gone awry leaves Paloma in a sticky situation with a new friend, she’ll need more than a crystal ball to find her way out of this mess.
Paloma Ferrer is psychic. In fact, everyone in her family line has “the gift.” Now that Paloma has come into her powers, she dreams of a famous medium to celebrities, being just like her beloved grandma.
When Paloma’s parents move them from Miami to Los Angeles, she hatches a plan to get her career as a medium up and running: Host seances at her new school and stream on social media Build her profile and make a name for herself Avoid detection from her tattletale of a little sister
But when a reading gone awry leaves Paloma in a sticky situation with a new friend, she’ll need more than a crystal ball to find her way out of this mess.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
July 25, 2023
Actual Rating 3.5
Paloma, just like most other members of her family, has The Gift. Hers manifests as being a psychic, similar to her famous grandma who does reading for celebrities and goes on tours. But when Paloma’s parents decide to move them from Miami to Los Angeles, she finds herself frustrated at having to leave everything behind. She decides to host psychic readings at school and on social media to show her grandmother that she’s worthy to go on tour with her. But when a reading goes wrong and she has ever-growing secrets from her mom, Paloma needs to find help to make everything right again.
This is an engaging and well written work of Middle Grade magical realism. This did feel like it was written for the older side of MG, especially as there were some words included that even I didn’t know. I really liked how Paloma’s powers were oriented towards seeing flowers and interpreting their meanings – such a fun inclusion for a MG read! I enjoyed the lore that was included, and these aspects really highlighted the author’s creativity.
I didn’t prefer how Paloma’s relationships with her nuclear family were portrayed. Her mom doesn’t listen to her at all, and their only real interactions are Paloma getting in trouble for things her younger sister did, while constantly praising the younger sister. This relationship dynamic and their interactions didn’t really add to the story or feel plot relevant, so I was a little disappointed by their inclusion. This was more of a personal preference than anything else. The characters were a little lacking in depth/development, which made everyone but Paloma feel more like caricatures than real characters. Younger readers may not notice this, though.
This was a good, easy read that I imagine younger readers will probably love. And just look at that lovely cover! My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this work, which will be published August 15th, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Paloma, just like most other members of her family, has The Gift. Hers manifests as being a psychic, similar to her famous grandma who does reading for celebrities and goes on tours. But when Paloma’s parents decide to move them from Miami to Los Angeles, she finds herself frustrated at having to leave everything behind. She decides to host psychic readings at school and on social media to show her grandmother that she’s worthy to go on tour with her. But when a reading goes wrong and she has ever-growing secrets from her mom, Paloma needs to find help to make everything right again.
This is an engaging and well written work of Middle Grade magical realism. This did feel like it was written for the older side of MG, especially as there were some words included that even I didn’t know. I really liked how Paloma’s powers were oriented towards seeing flowers and interpreting their meanings – such a fun inclusion for a MG read! I enjoyed the lore that was included, and these aspects really highlighted the author’s creativity.
I didn’t prefer how Paloma’s relationships with her nuclear family were portrayed. Her mom doesn’t listen to her at all, and their only real interactions are Paloma getting in trouble for things her younger sister did, while constantly praising the younger sister. This relationship dynamic and their interactions didn’t really add to the story or feel plot relevant, so I was a little disappointed by their inclusion. This was more of a personal preference than anything else. The characters were a little lacking in depth/development, which made everyone but Paloma feel more like caricatures than real characters. Younger readers may not notice this, though.
This was a good, easy read that I imagine younger readers will probably love. And just look at that lovely cover! My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read this work, which will be published August 15th, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 14, 2023
Happy release week- I think, given recent news? Thanks to Inkyard Press [RIP] for an advanced copy of this charming middle grade ghost adventure to review! Totally Psychic will be out August 15th.
I love childrens' and otherwise middle grade books that confront death and the afterlife. In this day and age, awareness of death and the cultural practices surrounding it are absolutely essential when so much is around us daily. Brigid Martin's book is a diverse take on a family of mediums and a young protagonist discovering her powers of communication with the afterlife. I found a lot of the lore in it really quaint, with cute details like putting on Ghostbusters the movie to banish spirits. Protagonist Paloma is a spirit medium with some particular powers; messages from beyond appear to her as flowers, whose symbolism she must then interpret as warnings or other communications, and I found this floral magic really cute.
The book addresses several significant "lessons" for its audience and target age group, from bullying, drawing boundaries with friends despite that urge to impress, handling the disappointment of older relatives, etc. It was interestingly modern, too, as Paloma sets up livestreams to broadcast her skills while doing readings for her classmates. But she begins to ignore signs she's seen, ignore her better judgment, and consequences soon come to call. The old "even if you can, should you" lesson rears its head.
Overall this was a really cute book full of heart, with a protagonist who has good intentions, and memorable family bonds grounding her along the way.
I love childrens' and otherwise middle grade books that confront death and the afterlife. In this day and age, awareness of death and the cultural practices surrounding it are absolutely essential when so much is around us daily. Brigid Martin's book is a diverse take on a family of mediums and a young protagonist discovering her powers of communication with the afterlife. I found a lot of the lore in it really quaint, with cute details like putting on Ghostbusters the movie to banish spirits. Protagonist Paloma is a spirit medium with some particular powers; messages from beyond appear to her as flowers, whose symbolism she must then interpret as warnings or other communications, and I found this floral magic really cute.
The book addresses several significant "lessons" for its audience and target age group, from bullying, drawing boundaries with friends despite that urge to impress, handling the disappointment of older relatives, etc. It was interestingly modern, too, as Paloma sets up livestreams to broadcast her skills while doing readings for her classmates. But she begins to ignore signs she's seen, ignore her better judgment, and consequences soon come to call. The old "even if you can, should you" lesson rears its head.
Overall this was a really cute book full of heart, with a protagonist who has good intentions, and memorable family bonds grounding her along the way.
August 22, 2023
This middle grade paranormal story is really pretty good. Even though I am long past my middle school years I really got into the story and enjoyed it. The characters were well done and the story was well developed. I think my favorite part of the story is how well accepted and how much of a given ghosts were. It was fun to read a world where no one sees anything wrong or suspicious about a girl who claims she can talk to ghosts. I mean there were a couple of skeptics but they were won over super quickly. I like a world where the mystical has a solid place. Paloma and her family are moving to LA and she is miserable about leaving Miami and her family. Paloma wants nothing more than to join her grandmother on tour giving psychic readings to people and using her gift of talking to ghosts to help the living. Unfortunately as she works to achieve this she gets in over her head and if she doesn’t think of something soon her school and town will be permanently run over by ghosts.
December 8, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley on behalf of Inkyard Press and Brigid Martin in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly absolutely loved this story. It was such a positive journey of self discovery and learning to navigate your responsibilities.
This story follows a young middle-schooler, Paloma, as her life is completely uprooted; her parents decide to move them to California from Miami and away from the rest of her family that they lived with all her life. Paloma is convinced it's due to her mom's distaste for her Abuela's fame for being a famous medium.
In fact, her entire family has some connection to the spirit world and Paloma absolutely loves it. She has just discovered her own talents and Abuela cautions her on the rules of communicating with the dead and what it means to be a medium.
Paloma is convinced if she just proves she can be a good medium, she will be able to leave California and to go on tour with her Abuela. She just has to prove her talents first.
Needless to say, things get a little out of hand and Paloma finds herself in over her head in many ways. She will have to rely on more than just her Abuela to make things right.
A heartwarming story which seconds as a cautionary tale of responsibility, the importance of friendship and family, and listening to your elders.
A truly beautiful story.
I honestly absolutely loved this story. It was such a positive journey of self discovery and learning to navigate your responsibilities.
This story follows a young middle-schooler, Paloma, as her life is completely uprooted; her parents decide to move them to California from Miami and away from the rest of her family that they lived with all her life. Paloma is convinced it's due to her mom's distaste for her Abuela's fame for being a famous medium.
In fact, her entire family has some connection to the spirit world and Paloma absolutely loves it. She has just discovered her own talents and Abuela cautions her on the rules of communicating with the dead and what it means to be a medium.
Paloma is convinced if she just proves she can be a good medium, she will be able to leave California and to go on tour with her Abuela. She just has to prove her talents first.
Needless to say, things get a little out of hand and Paloma finds herself in over her head in many ways. She will have to rely on more than just her Abuela to make things right.
A heartwarming story which seconds as a cautionary tale of responsibility, the importance of friendship and family, and listening to your elders.
A truly beautiful story.
January 10, 2023
I received a copy from Inkyard Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Paloma Ferrer comes from a long line of psychics. In fact, her grandma is a famous medium and their family can’t go anywhere without being recognized. Paloma loves the attention and can’t wait to follow in her grandma’s footsteps. The only problem is that her mom is determined that her children go on to live normal lives with nothing to do with their psychic abilities. What better way to escape following in their family’s footsteps than moving across the country? Paloma is furious, but she’s determined to help people and realizes she’s in over her head when she wants to impress her new friends and accidentally rips open a hole in the spirit portal.
I absolutely love this book. We follow Paloma, a 12-year-old girl who has recently come into her psychic abilities, as she’s forced to move across the country with her family. As a pre-teen, she’s faced with starting her entire social life over at a new school while her two best friends appear to have replaced her with a new friend already. Paloma is going through some typical feelings about the move, such as not understanding her parent’s choices and being irritated by Magdalena, her little sister, who always appears to be perfect in her parent’s presence.
I think there are some pretty good lessons in the book for young readers. For example, Paloma feels the pressure to impress her new friends or possibly find herself friendless at her new school, but her decisions lead to a supernatural mess. If your friends ditch you for not letting them crash over your boundaries, are they really your friends? That’s always a good lesson to learn, and I like that the book features it with a supernatural spin.
Another thing I love about this story is the family relationships. Paloma has a good relationship with her grandma that we get to see play out, but we also see her bond with her parents and her sister over time. While I do wish there was more time spent on Paloma and Magdalena’s sister bond, I do love what we did get. Overall, I think there did need to be more character development with her friends at the new school because they were very one dimensional. The ghosts we frequently saw had more depth than them, which I think was a little strange given how much we saw of the three new friends.
Otherwise, I think this is a great book that middle schoolers will enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Brigid comes out with because this was such a good story.
Paloma Ferrer comes from a long line of psychics. In fact, her grandma is a famous medium and their family can’t go anywhere without being recognized. Paloma loves the attention and can’t wait to follow in her grandma’s footsteps. The only problem is that her mom is determined that her children go on to live normal lives with nothing to do with their psychic abilities. What better way to escape following in their family’s footsteps than moving across the country? Paloma is furious, but she’s determined to help people and realizes she’s in over her head when she wants to impress her new friends and accidentally rips open a hole in the spirit portal.
I absolutely love this book. We follow Paloma, a 12-year-old girl who has recently come into her psychic abilities, as she’s forced to move across the country with her family. As a pre-teen, she’s faced with starting her entire social life over at a new school while her two best friends appear to have replaced her with a new friend already. Paloma is going through some typical feelings about the move, such as not understanding her parent’s choices and being irritated by Magdalena, her little sister, who always appears to be perfect in her parent’s presence.
I think there are some pretty good lessons in the book for young readers. For example, Paloma feels the pressure to impress her new friends or possibly find herself friendless at her new school, but her decisions lead to a supernatural mess. If your friends ditch you for not letting them crash over your boundaries, are they really your friends? That’s always a good lesson to learn, and I like that the book features it with a supernatural spin.
Another thing I love about this story is the family relationships. Paloma has a good relationship with her grandma that we get to see play out, but we also see her bond with her parents and her sister over time. While I do wish there was more time spent on Paloma and Magdalena’s sister bond, I do love what we did get. Overall, I think there did need to be more character development with her friends at the new school because they were very one dimensional. The ghosts we frequently saw had more depth than them, which I think was a little strange given how much we saw of the three new friends.
Otherwise, I think this is a great book that middle schoolers will enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Brigid comes out with because this was such a good story.
July 24, 2023
Totally Psychic was such a fun, cute middle grade book! This book follows Paloma as she learns how to channel her psychic abilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think many middle graders will enjoy reading this one as well. I loved how Paloma had a unique psychic ability where she gets messages and premonitions in the form of flowers. In this book Paloma and her family move from Miami to Los Angeles and Paloma initially struggles with the move and being far away from her Abuela, who is also a medium. Paloma’s parents and sister don’t understand her psychic abilities which is hard for her, especially since she dreams of being a famous psychic like her grandma.
I think many kids will find Paloma to be a relatable character. Totally Psychic was a fun, lighthearted read and it touched on some good life lessons as well. This was a great debut by Brigid Martin and I will be looking forward to more books by this author! I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves a good middle grade book!
I think many kids will find Paloma to be a relatable character. Totally Psychic was a fun, lighthearted read and it touched on some good life lessons as well. This was a great debut by Brigid Martin and I will be looking forward to more books by this author! I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves a good middle grade book!
December 18, 2022
Totally Psychic is an instant favorite of mine. I found Martin's book to be written very well, with a plot that flowed smoothly and an authentic voice in Paloma. The story itself, while mostly lighthearted, touched deep and important topics, like family, friendship, peer pressure, and grieving. I found myself feeling every emotion that Paloma was going through and deeply connected with her.
Totally Psychic is a book I would definitely make available to students in my classroom, because I'm sure a lot of children, specifically tweens like her, will be able to relate to her. It's also a fun read that I think anyone would love!
Totally Psychic is a book I would definitely make available to students in my classroom, because I'm sure a lot of children, specifically tweens like her, will be able to relate to her. It's also a fun read that I think anyone would love!
July 31, 2023
3.5 stars
This book is a fantasy that, despite the magic, reads much more like a contemporary in terms of themes and action. Don’t get me wrong—that is in no way a bad thing, but it is important to note. A child who prefers reading fantasy like Percy Jackson, Keeper of the Lost Cities, or Amari and the Night Brothers, could be easily bored by the slower pace and lower stakes in this book.
However, a reader who likes contemporary/realistic fiction would definitely enjoy this book—and many fantasy readers may as well, as long as they don’t go in expecting action and adventure.
I, personally, did enjoy this book. It wasn’t my favorite middle grade, but it was a solid read. It was a little slow at times, and there were a few tendrils of the plot that I felt distracted from the pacing and narrative, but I enjoyed the main plot.
At it’s core, this is a book about family, friendships, and starting over. Paloma has just moved to a whole new place, her family is at odds, and she needs to make all-new friends. All of these are common experiences for middle schoolers, and for the most part, I believe they were handled well.
The only complaint I have is in how the mother was written. I think she was a bit too dramatic. The other characters had the benefit of being pre-teens, but Paloma’s mom is a grown adult acting like a pre-teen. I hate when adult characters are super unreasonable, and you have no idea why the whole book, only for *big reveal reason* and then instantly everything is fixed, and this was one of the worst offenders I’ve had in a while. Adults can be unreasonable. They often are. But anyone doing a complete one-eighty and instantly fixing everything is unrealistic to me. And the reasoning for it in this book felt a little too convenient and didn’t (in my opinion) really make sense as compared to the amount of unreasonable she was acting.
For the most part, I did enjoy this book. While it wasn’t my favorite, I do recommend it.
This book is a fantasy that, despite the magic, reads much more like a contemporary in terms of themes and action. Don’t get me wrong—that is in no way a bad thing, but it is important to note. A child who prefers reading fantasy like Percy Jackson, Keeper of the Lost Cities, or Amari and the Night Brothers, could be easily bored by the slower pace and lower stakes in this book.
However, a reader who likes contemporary/realistic fiction would definitely enjoy this book—and many fantasy readers may as well, as long as they don’t go in expecting action and adventure.
I, personally, did enjoy this book. It wasn’t my favorite middle grade, but it was a solid read. It was a little slow at times, and there were a few tendrils of the plot that I felt distracted from the pacing and narrative, but I enjoyed the main plot.
At it’s core, this is a book about family, friendships, and starting over. Paloma has just moved to a whole new place, her family is at odds, and she needs to make all-new friends. All of these are common experiences for middle schoolers, and for the most part, I believe they were handled well.
The only complaint I have is in how the mother was written. I think she was a bit too dramatic. The other characters had the benefit of being pre-teens, but Paloma’s mom is a grown adult acting like a pre-teen. I hate when adult characters are super unreasonable, and you have no idea why the whole book, only for *big reveal reason* and then instantly everything is fixed, and this was one of the worst offenders I’ve had in a while. Adults can be unreasonable. They often are. But anyone doing a complete one-eighty and instantly fixing everything is unrealistic to me. And the reasoning for it in this book felt a little too convenient and didn’t (in my opinion) really make sense as compared to the amount of unreasonable she was acting.
For the most part, I did enjoy this book. While it wasn’t my favorite, I do recommend it.
August 21, 2023
I think like many good middle-grade novels, this one had lots of themes of friendship and family. Building relationships, learning which ones to foster, which ones to let go of. It was well done in that respect.
I also really like how Paloma interpreted things. It was through flowers and felt more middle-grade orientated than if it had been done another way. It also made the language prettier and symbolic in many ways.
The whole little sister/mom act got pretty annoying pretty fast. I know it was a big part of the plot and the conflict Paloma was facing, but it wasn't very enjoyable. I think the relationships she was balancing was more the way to go.
Overall, this was a nice book from Martin. I think kids who enjoy Encanto and similar magical stories will take a liking to this one.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I also really like how Paloma interpreted things. It was through flowers and felt more middle-grade orientated than if it had been done another way. It also made the language prettier and symbolic in many ways.
The whole little sister/mom act got pretty annoying pretty fast. I know it was a big part of the plot and the conflict Paloma was facing, but it wasn't very enjoyable. I think the relationships she was balancing was more the way to go.
Overall, this was a nice book from Martin. I think kids who enjoy Encanto and similar magical stories will take a liking to this one.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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January 7, 2023
Exceptionally well written, adventurous, inventive and creative first work by this new author. The read is reminiscent of the Ratatouille recipe, when you bite into it, good childhood memories come flooding back as you join Paloma’s journey through the spirit world. Well balanced and thought out, the plot, sub-plots and character development work wonders together to deliver an energetic and positive yarn on the use of our gifts, whatever they are, to heal and help one another. Brilliant.
March 16, 2023
Thank you to Brigid Martin, Inkyard Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!
On the surface, Totally Psychic is a story about a twelve-year-old girl with the ability to see ghosts and all the high jinks that ensue because of it. However, the book is about so much more than that. It is about valuing your family and friends, and putting pettiness and anger behind you in favor of bolstering love and connection. It also greatly emphasizes the importance of living your life for the right reasons, like being selfless and helping others when you can. I think it is a great book to help kids that are on their journey of self-discovery and have new responsibilities to navigate.
On the surface, Totally Psychic is a story about a twelve-year-old girl with the ability to see ghosts and all the high jinks that ensue because of it. However, the book is about so much more than that. It is about valuing your family and friends, and putting pettiness and anger behind you in favor of bolstering love and connection. It also greatly emphasizes the importance of living your life for the right reasons, like being selfless and helping others when you can. I think it is a great book to help kids that are on their journey of self-discovery and have new responsibilities to navigate.
July 26, 2023
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this one. The cover is adorable, and the concept sounded fun, but it ended up not being my thing. I wasn't convinced by the writing, mostly; some of the characterizations felt overdone, especially Paloma's mom. Each interaction with new people felt unnatural and awkward. And there were a lot of weird, info-dump-y moments where the characters would over explain something unnecessary - usually this felt like the author attempting to make the story quirkier, but it fell flat for me.
I did like the way that Paloma and her Abuela's psychic powers were portrayed and explained. Paloma's flower vision was a unique trait that made her powers more interesting. I did wonder what Abuela's unique power was, if she had one; some of the other family members' were mentioned, but not hers (that I recall at least). Magdalena's powers didn't make much sense to me, and I wish it had been explained a bit more other than just saying it was a rare power...
Overall this wasn't for me. Someone out there will probably love it, and there were a handful of representations of grief that some readers may appreciate. Several of the students that Paloma did readings for were dealing with loss or got to converse with someone they loved. I was hoping for more from this book personally, but consider checking it out if you liked the wacky family vibes of Meet the Robinsons, the grandmother/granddaughter relationship found in Moana, or are a child interested in contacting the dead I guess? Don't contact the dead, kids.
I wanted to like this one. The cover is adorable, and the concept sounded fun, but it ended up not being my thing. I wasn't convinced by the writing, mostly; some of the characterizations felt overdone, especially Paloma's mom. Each interaction with new people felt unnatural and awkward. And there were a lot of weird, info-dump-y moments where the characters would over explain something unnecessary - usually this felt like the author attempting to make the story quirkier, but it fell flat for me.
I did like the way that Paloma and her Abuela's psychic powers were portrayed and explained. Paloma's flower vision was a unique trait that made her powers more interesting. I did wonder what Abuela's unique power was, if she had one; some of the other family members' were mentioned, but not hers (that I recall at least). Magdalena's powers didn't make much sense to me, and I wish it had been explained a bit more other than just saying it was a rare power...
Overall this wasn't for me. Someone out there will probably love it, and there were a handful of representations of grief that some readers may appreciate. Several of the students that Paloma did readings for were dealing with loss or got to converse with someone they loved. I was hoping for more from this book personally, but consider checking it out if you liked the wacky family vibes of Meet the Robinsons, the grandmother/granddaughter relationship found in Moana, or are a child interested in contacting the dead I guess? Don't contact the dead, kids.
August 18, 2023
I am absolutely thrilled to share my heartfelt review of "Totally Psychic"! From the moment I picked up this enchanting debut middle-grade novel, I was completely captivated by the world of Paloma, a young Cuban-American tween with extraordinary psychic abilities.
Paloma's journey is a remarkable blend of the supernatural and the everyday challenges of growing up. As a young medium with a family legacy of psychic gifts, Paloma's dreams of following in her beloved grandmother's footsteps are as relatable as they are extraordinary. The way the author intricately weaves Paloma's cultural heritage into her narrative is truly a masterpiece. The vibrant descriptions of Cuban-American traditions and the importance of family bonds add a layer of depth that resonated deeply with me.
The plot is a brilliant tapestry of friendship, family dynamics, and the mysteries of the spirit realm. When Paloma's family moves from Miami to Los Angeles, her determination to establish herself as a notable medium leads to a series of delightful adventures. From hosting seances at her new school to embracing the world of social media, every twist and turn in Paloma's journey is filled with excitement and heartwarming moments. And when things take an unexpected turn due to a misread situation, Paloma's resilience and resourcefulness shine through in a way that left me truly moved.
The characters are a true highlight of the story. Paloma's relatability and her courage in the face of challenges make her a heroine to root for. Her interactions with her quirky family, her endearing yet tattletale little sister, and her new friends are a delightful blend of humor, emotion, and authenticity. Each character feels like someone you could meet in real life, making the story all the more engaging.
The author's writing style is beautifully evocative, painting vivid images of Paloma's world in the reader's mind. The pacing is perfect, with a balance between heartwarming moments of self-discovery and the intrigue of the spirit realm. I found myself eagerly turning page after page, completely immersed in Paloma's experiences.
As someone who appreciates both heartwarming stories and the allure of the paranormal, this book spoke to me on a profound level. I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers of all ages who are seeking an unforgettable adventure filled with warmth, laughter, and a touch of the otherworldly. Don't miss out on the magic that is "Totally Psychic"!
Paloma's journey is a remarkable blend of the supernatural and the everyday challenges of growing up. As a young medium with a family legacy of psychic gifts, Paloma's dreams of following in her beloved grandmother's footsteps are as relatable as they are extraordinary. The way the author intricately weaves Paloma's cultural heritage into her narrative is truly a masterpiece. The vibrant descriptions of Cuban-American traditions and the importance of family bonds add a layer of depth that resonated deeply with me.
The plot is a brilliant tapestry of friendship, family dynamics, and the mysteries of the spirit realm. When Paloma's family moves from Miami to Los Angeles, her determination to establish herself as a notable medium leads to a series of delightful adventures. From hosting seances at her new school to embracing the world of social media, every twist and turn in Paloma's journey is filled with excitement and heartwarming moments. And when things take an unexpected turn due to a misread situation, Paloma's resilience and resourcefulness shine through in a way that left me truly moved.
The characters are a true highlight of the story. Paloma's relatability and her courage in the face of challenges make her a heroine to root for. Her interactions with her quirky family, her endearing yet tattletale little sister, and her new friends are a delightful blend of humor, emotion, and authenticity. Each character feels like someone you could meet in real life, making the story all the more engaging.
The author's writing style is beautifully evocative, painting vivid images of Paloma's world in the reader's mind. The pacing is perfect, with a balance between heartwarming moments of self-discovery and the intrigue of the spirit realm. I found myself eagerly turning page after page, completely immersed in Paloma's experiences.
As someone who appreciates both heartwarming stories and the allure of the paranormal, this book spoke to me on a profound level. I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers of all ages who are seeking an unforgettable adventure filled with warmth, laughter, and a touch of the otherworldly. Don't miss out on the magic that is "Totally Psychic"!
August 2, 2023
Wow, what a great book! It was way better then I thought it would be! I really wish all of the fantasy aspects of this novel were real. I’d love to have a Spirit Reading. The ghosts were pretty cool. I mean, there’s something about this book that I just can’t describe. I love fantasy and ghostly books, but this was like top notch next level great! At first I wanted to hold back on reading this, but when I read the description I wanted to read it right away!
Being able to have powers to contact with spirits is a great idea from Brigid! And the fact that each medium has a different specialty is also pretty cool.
I feel like Paloma in a way connects to myself. And the fact that she has an annoying little sister, I can relate with my brother.
The style of writing was cool. I liked that on some chapters I was left on a hook.
Once I opened the book, I very reluctantly put it away.
I hope this isn’t the last ‘Totally Psychic’.
This was one of the greatest books I have ever read.
It was pretty fun in some parts. Like when Paloma thought Eloise was a person and that she’d been replaced right after she moved, but it really was just a cat!
I liked all of the plant vibes throughout the story. It made me feel like I was there.
In a way, this story made me feel at home. I felt warm and fuzzy inside.
A lot of this novel I could easily imagine because there was so much detail. That was pretty nice.
This book was definitely a solid 5+ stars.
Being able to have powers to contact with spirits is a great idea from Brigid! And the fact that each medium has a different specialty is also pretty cool.
I feel like Paloma in a way connects to myself. And the fact that she has an annoying little sister, I can relate with my brother.
The style of writing was cool. I liked that on some chapters I was left on a hook.
Once I opened the book, I very reluctantly put it away.
I hope this isn’t the last ‘Totally Psychic’.
This was one of the greatest books I have ever read.
It was pretty fun in some parts. Like when Paloma thought Eloise was a person and that she’d been replaced right after she moved, but it really was just a cat!
I liked all of the plant vibes throughout the story. It made me feel like I was there.
In a way, this story made me feel at home. I felt warm and fuzzy inside.
A lot of this novel I could easily imagine because there was so much detail. That was pretty nice.
This book was definitely a solid 5+ stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to BookishFirst, Inkyard Press and Cake Creative for picking me to win this FREE COPY in a Raffle on Bookish First a few months ago!!
This was my first time reading a book by Debut Author Brigid Martin so i wasnt sure if i'd like it or not but surprisingly i did. This one reminded me alot of Disney Channel's That's so Raven meets Wizards of Waverly Place and The WB Movie Casper.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Paloma, and Gloria were my favorites throughout the book. I absolutely loved the close family connection between them as Granddaughter and Grandmother, reminded me of the relationship i had with my Grandma (My Mom's Mom) when i was growing up.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Florida and California while reading, especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Middle Fantasy and a Preteen who learns she can talk to ghosts!! I do hope this will eventually become a series cause i'd love to see what Paloma and her family would be up to with other Supernatural adventures!!
Review:
Thank you to BookishFirst, Inkyard Press and Cake Creative for picking me to win this FREE COPY in a Raffle on Bookish First a few months ago!!
This was my first time reading a book by Debut Author Brigid Martin so i wasnt sure if i'd like it or not but surprisingly i did. This one reminded me alot of Disney Channel's That's so Raven meets Wizards of Waverly Place and The WB Movie Casper.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Paloma, and Gloria were my favorites throughout the book. I absolutely loved the close family connection between them as Granddaughter and Grandmother, reminded me of the relationship i had with my Grandma (My Mom's Mom) when i was growing up.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Florida and California while reading, especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Middle Fantasy and a Preteen who learns she can talk to ghosts!! I do hope this will eventually become a series cause i'd love to see what Paloma and her family would be up to with other Supernatural adventures!!
March 4, 2024
4.25
Cover 5; Characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 5; Engagement 4; Worldbuilding 3; Readability 4; Theme 4; Enjoyment 4; cry *
This was a super cute story about a pre-teen psychic. Main themes here are believing that your elders have your best intentions in mind when setting boundaries and doing good for the sake of helping people and not because it makes you look good.
I like Paloma and her friends though there's never really anything that separates the friends from one another for me. Except for the one who's a ghost and that's nothing to do with personality and everything to do with him being A) a ghost and B) a boy. So the characters could have used a bit more fleshing out.
Worldbuilding wise, I wish there had been more of the psychic things explained. I know this is a children's book, but it felt light even for that. There are a few things that were explained and everything else is just, wooo we have powers.
A good read, has some very heartwarming moments. Definitely a good one for pre-teens who like to read about anything magic or ghost related.
Cover 5; Characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 5; Engagement 4; Worldbuilding 3; Readability 4; Theme 4; Enjoyment 4; cry *
This was a super cute story about a pre-teen psychic. Main themes here are believing that your elders have your best intentions in mind when setting boundaries and doing good for the sake of helping people and not because it makes you look good.
I like Paloma and her friends though there's never really anything that separates the friends from one another for me. Except for the one who's a ghost and that's nothing to do with personality and everything to do with him being A) a ghost and B) a boy. So the characters could have used a bit more fleshing out.
Worldbuilding wise, I wish there had been more of the psychic things explained. I know this is a children's book, but it felt light even for that. There are a few things that were explained and everything else is just, wooo we have powers.
A good read, has some very heartwarming moments. Definitely a good one for pre-teens who like to read about anything magic or ghost related.
August 4, 2023
Thank you to BookishFirst and Inkyard Press for this copy of Totally Psychic in exchange for an honest review. It was so cute I really enjoyed it. It centers around a family of mediums. Young Paloma is just coming into her powers. She aspires to be like her abuela who is a world-famous medium. I found Paloma a very cute funny albeit slightly annoying but she is just a kid. She she still adjusting to her new life in California but misses her family and friends in Miami.
She decides to start a club at her new school “Totally Psychic”. All she dreams about is going on tour with her grandmother. As she starts attract more attention not to mention all the ghosts, she learns some lessons about growing up and responsibility. I would recommend this story to kids who love ghost stories and chapter books. It did seem slightly long her a middle grade story, but I don’t read many middle grade books so I might be wrong about that.
The family bond in the story was really sweet it was one of the aspects of the story I enjoyed the most.
She decides to start a club at her new school “Totally Psychic”. All she dreams about is going on tour with her grandmother. As she starts attract more attention not to mention all the ghosts, she learns some lessons about growing up and responsibility. I would recommend this story to kids who love ghost stories and chapter books. It did seem slightly long her a middle grade story, but I don’t read many middle grade books so I might be wrong about that.
The family bond in the story was really sweet it was one of the aspects of the story I enjoyed the most.
January 11, 2024
4/5 stars! Let me preface my review by sharing that I am not the audience for this story. As a grown-up, I don't think I am the target audience for this story. That being said, I would absolutely recommend this book to my nieces and nephews in middle school. This is a Cuban-American middle-grade fantasy story with a strong young lady taking front and center. Paloma is a gritty main character who idolizes her grandmother and wants to lend her psychic skills to the same profession. But as in all good stories, things go off script and Paloma is left struggling to pick up the pieces and find a way to make the best of a bad situation. Filled with a cast of enjoyable characters, this story has the makings of a great young read. It speaks to themes of family, friendship, trust, and strength and would likely be inspiring for readers from 8-14 years old.
October 9, 2024
Book 1 in a MG magical realism series about a girl with psychic powers.
🔮
Paloma recently found out she has “the gift” passed down from her grandmother who is a celebrity medium in Miami. Just as she’s starting to learn from her abuela, her parents announce they’re moving to California. Now Paloma must attend a new school, try to make new friends and keep up her dream of being a famous psychic to the stars! Unfortunately when Paloma tries to show off her new skills at school and online, she finds herself in more trouble than a crystal ball can help with.
🔮
This was such a cute story with a unique premise that I haven’t read before in a middle grade book! I really enjoyed the Cuban heritage and psychic tips. Can’t wait to read the 2nd in the series by @tinbridges when it releases in 2025!
CW: death, divorce, loss, grief
🔮
Paloma recently found out she has “the gift” passed down from her grandmother who is a celebrity medium in Miami. Just as she’s starting to learn from her abuela, her parents announce they’re moving to California. Now Paloma must attend a new school, try to make new friends and keep up her dream of being a famous psychic to the stars! Unfortunately when Paloma tries to show off her new skills at school and online, she finds herself in more trouble than a crystal ball can help with.
🔮
This was such a cute story with a unique premise that I haven’t read before in a middle grade book! I really enjoyed the Cuban heritage and psychic tips. Can’t wait to read the 2nd in the series by @tinbridges when it releases in 2025!
CW: death, divorce, loss, grief
August 23, 2023
Totally Psychic, by Brigid Martin was such a fun read! Paloma's grandmother is a famous medium that has made Paloma a celebrity with her peers in school - something she's glad about! After many years of wondering what (and WHEN) her own powers would manifest themselves, Paloma has finally begun seeing and conversing with ghosts. On top of her ability to communicate with spirits, Paloma has a gift for seeing and interpreting flowers as part of her psychic escapades.
Just as her life and abilities are picking up speed, her family shares that they will be moving to California. Moving from Miami to Los Angeles, where she won't know anyone and nobody will know her abuela, is NOT her idea of life moving in the right direction. Will she find some friends who will appreciate her for who she is and not because of her famous grandma? Will she be able to grow as a medium and show her abuela she's ready to become her #2?
Readers will find themselves relating to and rooting for Paloma as she walks the long road to self-discovery, makes mistakes, and finds out the importance and responsibility that having psychic powers entails.
Just as her life and abilities are picking up speed, her family shares that they will be moving to California. Moving from Miami to Los Angeles, where she won't know anyone and nobody will know her abuela, is NOT her idea of life moving in the right direction. Will she find some friends who will appreciate her for who she is and not because of her famous grandma? Will she be able to grow as a medium and show her abuela she's ready to become her #2?
Readers will find themselves relating to and rooting for Paloma as she walks the long road to self-discovery, makes mistakes, and finds out the importance and responsibility that having psychic powers entails.
August 23, 2023
Totally Psychic is a great option for kids who enjoy a little bit of the supernatural with a dash of danger thrown in for good measure. There’s nothing to dark or sinister, but enough to give middle readers a taste of spooky.
At the center of the story is Paloma, who can not only see ghosts but talk to them as well. It’s a pretty cool gift, and one that she fully embraces, if only her mom would get on board. Paloma and her mom seem to butt heads at every turn. And Paloma feels like she can do nothing right in her mom’s eyes. But that’s not going to stop Paloma from realizing her true potential — even if she has to break some rules to do it.
Paloma is a bold main character who is clever and driven. She’s the type of character that you want to root for, even when you know she’s going down the wrong path. Her family of supporting characters is strong, and Paloma’s interactions with the ghosts really take things up a level.
Totally Psychic is a fast-moving middle-grade novel (I read it in one afternoon) that a large cross-section of readers will enjoy.
At the center of the story is Paloma, who can not only see ghosts but talk to them as well. It’s a pretty cool gift, and one that she fully embraces, if only her mom would get on board. Paloma and her mom seem to butt heads at every turn. And Paloma feels like she can do nothing right in her mom’s eyes. But that’s not going to stop Paloma from realizing her true potential — even if she has to break some rules to do it.
Paloma is a bold main character who is clever and driven. She’s the type of character that you want to root for, even when you know she’s going down the wrong path. Her family of supporting characters is strong, and Paloma’s interactions with the ghosts really take things up a level.
Totally Psychic is a fast-moving middle-grade novel (I read it in one afternoon) that a large cross-section of readers will enjoy.
July 30, 2023
“As a flower medium, sometimes bursts of blossoms showed up our of nowhere, which could get a little distracting.”
I thought this was a cute middle grade debut. I was first drawn to the book by its cover. I love the flowers and bright colors.
Paloma is definitely a kid you can root for. I loved her sassy and determined attitude. I think young readers will connect to her and her struggles with her family and starting at a new school. It’s hard to be confident when you are different, especially at a young age. I thought it was cute that Paloma’s psychic powers involved flowers and that each family member had a different type of special ability.
I liked the way the author touched on the topic of grief. I think young readers will find it relatable.
Overall, this is a cute story that I think anyone who likes ghosts and middle grade books will enjoy.
Thank you to Brigid Martin, Bookishfirst, and Inkyard Press for a gifted copy to read and review.
I thought this was a cute middle grade debut. I was first drawn to the book by its cover. I love the flowers and bright colors.
Paloma is definitely a kid you can root for. I loved her sassy and determined attitude. I think young readers will connect to her and her struggles with her family and starting at a new school. It’s hard to be confident when you are different, especially at a young age. I thought it was cute that Paloma’s psychic powers involved flowers and that each family member had a different type of special ability.
I liked the way the author touched on the topic of grief. I think young readers will find it relatable.
Overall, this is a cute story that I think anyone who likes ghosts and middle grade books will enjoy.
Thank you to Brigid Martin, Bookishfirst, and Inkyard Press for a gifted copy to read and review.
August 22, 2023
Totally Psychic is a fantastic middle-grade novel about a girl named Paloma who has a psychic gift. Her gift is a lot like her grandma who does reading for celebrities. Anyway, her family moves from Miami to Los Angeles and she finds herself like most kids and is sad about leaving all she knew behind. At her new school, she starts to give psychic readings and one goes wrong and she has to fix the mess. I really liked the characters even though we do not really get to know them very well other than Paloma. The younger sister seems to be the one getting the all praise from the parents, and if you have siblings, you know how difficult that can be especially for tweens. I am a huge fan of books about and with magic so this one really hit the mark for me. Being an easy read, this should be a hit with middle-schoolers looking for a fun, magical read that will open up their imagination.
August 27, 2023
Totally Psychic is a fun, heart-warming, and exciting tale of a spunky budding psychic, Paloma. As a reader, you are instantly sucked into the adventure-filled world of Paloma Ferrer as she navigates a new town, school, and friends, along with her family and a few friendly ghosts! I highly recommend this book- you'll be laughing, then crying, then laughing again!
November 14, 2022
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The WAY this book caused so much joy in me is unbelievable. I wish more books like this had been around when I was younger and in school. It's such a beautifully written fall tale that encapsulates the vibe of October SO well.
Paloma was a great character that I can really see younger kids connecting with and relating to. Even if they don't see ghosts with floral auras themselves. I bet they'll want to after finishing this! I can't wait for my daughter to read this when she's older.
The WAY this book caused so much joy in me is unbelievable. I wish more books like this had been around when I was younger and in school. It's such a beautifully written fall tale that encapsulates the vibe of October SO well.
Paloma was a great character that I can really see younger kids connecting with and relating to. Even if they don't see ghosts with floral auras themselves. I bet they'll want to after finishing this! I can't wait for my daughter to read this when she's older.
January 7, 2023
What about “Totally Psychic”? I totally loved it! A coming of age youth adventure that’s fun, witty and touching to the point where I was misty eyed at times. We all need a friend like Paloma in middle school and a caring family and friends like hers as well. Looking forward to her next reading!
August 3, 2023
This was as cute as I expected! I loved the family dynamic and the growth throughout the story.
Read
August 1, 2023Young Adult Family, Young Adult Social Issues, Young Adult Fantasy & Magic
July 30, 2023
4.5 stars
January 16, 2025
This probably going to be one of my favorite books this year.I am excited to start off the new year with this book and also excited to see the other books this author writes.
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