Imagine having the ability to use paintings as doorways to other places. That’s the premise behind The Restorationists fantasy series.

Between Flowers and Bones is the second book in the series, but can be read as a standalone. Engaging, packed with danger and adventure, and spilling over with allusions and insights into the art world, kids will love following along as Georgia, Vincent, and their fellow Restorationists battle the Distortionists and their warped schemes to use art for their own evil purposes. Great read for adventure lovers!

*Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Between Flower and Bone continues the story of Vincent and Georgia, two young cousins who are able to travel through paintings. Throughout this story, Georgia struggles because she feels like Vincent's gift as a painter is the flashier gift and she feels like she has lost her place within the family. However, through the journey, Georgia learns that we must all work together to use our gifts in order to bring about the most good.

I am loving the stories in this series! They are well thought out, include quite a bit of art history and very engaging! I can't wait for the next story!

Now that she's not the only Restorationist kid that needs training, Georgia finds herself in the shadow of Vincent, her 2nd cousin, whose Gift is much flashier than hers. Her own parents spend more time with him than they do with her, and she begins to doubt the usefulness of her Gift. But she tries to remember that they need to work as a team to defeat the Distortionists and Vincent's rogue aunt, who wants Georgia and Vincent to help her steal a painting.

I greatly enjoy the world Leiloglou has set up in this series and had a lot of fun returning to it. This book brings some cheer-worthy moments regarding peripheral characters and sets up a time-sensitive future danger. If the protagonist had been a bit different, this would have definitely been another 5-star read. As I read, I felt more and more like her issues with Vincent were being sort of trumped up to give us a moment of clarity and change, which all felt a little too much like Georgia was too wise for her age (even with the help from an older gentleman). It's not that her issues with feeling overlooked and unneeded are unrealistic for her age (or any age, really), but the way she overcomes them seems a bit unlikely.

The plot, though, and the worldbuilding of this fantasy story are engaging and simple to follow. The ending feels just a smidge unresolved and/or rushed, but overall, I am so excited for the continuation of this series. I recommend this book to anyone (young and old) interested in fantasy fiction with a Christian worldview.

Another fun book from Carolyn Leiloglou, that I actually can recommend to Christian families. There's no romance, no name calling, the adults are actually helpful.
Although I think Georgia O'Keefe paintings are horrendous, I still appreciate the amount of art that was in this book. If I was really smart, I would look up every painting listed in the back of the book, and be more knowledgable in art.

I loved this second installment in Carolyn Leiloglou's The Restorationists series. The first title had been honestly such a pleasant surprise, and this one was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was worried it was maybe not going to live up to my expectations, as I'm not a fan of Georgia O'Keefe's art in the slightest, but I ended up enjoying this one even more.

The story starts a little while after the catastrophic events of the first, and this time readers get to follow Vincent's cousin, Georgia's perspective. She's an interesting character, has had quite a different childhood than Vincent did, and she's struggling with feelings of bitterness and jealousy over the fact that she's all of a sudden not the only child restorationist in the family any longer. I enjoyed how realistic and authentic all of her reactions were to everything coming her way, but also the way she had a big heart for her family and the monstrous responsibility they've been born with.

The story twists and turns in ways the reader won't see coming, and I found it was a wonderful, immersive read that was often hard to put down. It's nice to have another middle grade title that I can wholeheartedly recommend to Christian families to pick up for their young readers, as the content was actually clean, and the focus was on family and friendships, and working together. There's also a couple of lovely faith elements included that almost brought a tear to my eye.

Another winner for me from Carolyn Leiloglou, and now I'm left waiting (not so) patiently for the third title in the series. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.

Final Rating: 5/5.



Thanks so much to Waterbrook for allowing me to advance read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Waterbrook) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

The art world is full of secrets, especially when kids are seen jumping off the frame of a Monet and leaping into the canvas of a Van Gogh. Known as the Restorationists, these kids use their “Gifts” to travel through paintings and pop out into any gallery in the world.

“Gifted” twelve-year-olds Georgia and Vincent have been tasked with a simple but special mission: ensure fine art affects viewers in a positive way. If a famous painting emits negativity, it may be distorted—sabotaged by their rivals, the Distortionists.

It’s not on the canvas where these evil paintbrushes strike, but within the paintings themselves. In the two kids go, “restoring” works of art across international galleries and museums.

But when Vincent suddenly goes missing, Georgia takes it upon herself to find him. Trailed by a mysterious boy and fellow traveler named Ravi, the boy knows where Vincent is and offers a trade. Ravi will help restore Vincent if Georgia uses her “Gift” to help Ravi pull off an art heist.

Georgia must rely on her “Gifted” family, including Grandpa, to help overcome Ravi's scheme and get Vincent back. Along the painted path, Georgia may just uncover how to “restore” Ravi too. Until then, she'll have to play the role of the art thief. Guess Georgia should’ve worn black today!

Told from Georgia’s perspective, author Carolyn Leiloglou writes with a sense of fun and wonder as her characters hop between paintings with a smirk. The dangers that lurk between the frames offer plenty of intrigue, and her anti-villain Ravi steals the show.
Ravi is a well-written highlight, portrayed as a mischievous and conflicted youth who is slowly won over as Georgia and others warm up to his softer side.

Characters using their unique “Gifts” to help each other and the world can offer young readers a beautiful parallel for their own gifts in the Body of Christ. Self-worth is addressed throughout the narrative, using influences like Grandpa to remind Georgia of the importance of her “Gift” to the whole group, even when others may seem to have a higher calling. The touching moment provides an effective parable for Paul’s lesson: “But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires. A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all!” - 1 Corinthians 12:18-19 TPT.

This second installment in “The “Restorationists,” carries on Leiloglou’s tradition from the first while also starting a new one. The first book, “Beneath the Swirling Sky,” was told from Vincent’s point of view and featured painstaking, real-life attention to detail regarding famous paintings and where readers could find them.

In a refreshingly bold move, Leiloglou has chosen to switch protagonists with each installment. All the while, she continues to build her stories around compelling kids set in her signature worldwide inventory of galleries and her wealth of knowledge of fine art.

Kids will want to see each painting featured in this adventure for themselves, making “The Restorationists” an excellent resource for in-class and homeschool unit studies on art history.

“Between Flowers and Bones” by Carolyn Leiloglou is recommended.

Love this series. So happy to have another book in this amazing series. It was nice to learn more about Georgia and her time to save the day. This is a great book for young adults and adults alike. I am excited for the third book, and to read more about Ravi and his time to save the day.

I can't begin to tell you how much I love this series. While it's marketed as middle grade fiction I can not imagine anyone not loving these books. The art, the relationships, the exploration into the reality that how we see things matters, it's so well written. And who wouldn't love to be able to explore a painting from the inside???

In this second book in the series, Georgia discovers that her perspective on the value of her gift and her idea of her place on the team matter more than she realized. Becoming who you are without comparing yourself to anyone else, celebrating everyone's gift and how pride can disguise itself are all themes skillfully written into a fast paced and imaginative story of art, family, connection and bringing restoration to broken things.

And Vivienne To's illustrations are absolutely delightful!

I received a free digital copy of this book for review, but I will certainly be picking up a copy for my bookshelf. I recommend that you do too.

Arc Copy...Liked to see more of the art magic abilities world building expanded from the first book. I could sense Georgia's feelings of being "useless" yet wondering how she can still help with her seemingly low ranking "Navigating" abilities but as the ending shows it still has its' advantages when creative wits are used.

Georgia is a twelve-year-old Restorationist. It is up to her, and what is left of her family, to protect art from the evil Distortionists. Restorationists are able to walk through paintings like portals, allowing them to travel inside of any painting in order to protect them. In the second installment we find Georgia and her cousin Vincent who have recently escaped from their aunt Adelaide who has turned against them. The two must find common ground when they discover Adelaide is still alive and needs their help this time. Will they join forces with the enemy or do the right thing and work together to bring her down?
This was such a fun and enlightening book. While reading this with my 10 year-old daughter it has sparked her interest in artwork and famous painters. It has also shined a light on certain historical significance such as the Minutemen and their contributions to history. My daughter stated she can not wait for the 3rd book!

*Thank you to Carolyn Leiloglou, Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah l WaterBrook for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Thank you netgalley, the publisher, and the author!

As with the first book the second in the series was just as great. I love the whole concept of their gifts having to do with saving and protecting art because I believe art is so important. This book was told from Georgia's point of view and with her having feelings of not being good enough and being jealous of Vincent's in her opinion better gift. I'm excited for the third book to be released.

Carolyn Leiloglou's second installment in the Restorationists series, "Between Flowers and Bone," is a remarkable continuation of the captivating journey that began in the first book. The sequel delves deeper into the rich tapestry of art and the secretive protectors who safeguard it. This portal fantasy features a homeschooled preteen girl grappling with the internal struggles of welcoming a new teammate into her family's secretive adventures as Restorationists.
The storyline is fast-paced yet thoughtfully explores complex issues such as forgiveness, redemption, identity, and the power of community. Leiloglou has crafted a tale that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, ensuring that readers, whether enjoying it as a family read-aloud or as a preteen reading independently, will eagerly await the next chapter in this impressive series.

Will the remnants of the Restorationists’ society fracture under the pressure of the Distortionists’ schemes? Or is Georgia’s Gift really enough to rescue her family, the art world, the Restorationists—and ultimately save the day?
We are waiting for the next level of this Restorationists theme of this book.

A terrific book two in the creative Restorationists series, with art as a portal for travel within the described paintings themselves. A gripping tale that enhances middle grade readers' appreciation for art and a great teaching tool for schools. Such fun!