Rose Horn’s Race Against Time is the second book in the StarNet Academy series and follows Tori Winston, a thirteen-year-old cadet on probation at StarNet. Her ordinary school life changes when a voice pops into her head. Kaylah Marxx is the Adonell's disgraced ex-leader, who secretly watches through an alien meditation device. Kaylah has discovered that StarNet is trapped in a temporal loop, something impossible, but she is the only one who notices it. The brain behind the disruption is Patrik Fos, a refugee cadet from the war-torn planet Icarro, who repeats the same day to steal banned Lychen weapon files from the diplomatic corps and save his people. Tori and Kaylah, former enemies, must learn to trust each other across light-years, dodge guards, and stop Patrik before time itself runs out. Aided by best friend Anna and a ragtag crew of cadets, Tori races to shut down the mysterious Klorian device, only to wake, at last, in a timeline that may not be her own.

Rose Horn created characters I cared about in Tori, who is earnest, and Kaylah, who struggles with guilt and has a sardonic voice. They make a beautiful pair. The day-by-day countdown gives the time-loop plot clarity and momentum, while the genre blends space-academy adventure with urgency, making the story fresh for middle-grade and YA readers. I loved the focused scenes, from tense meetings with Admiral Irving to a file-room scuffle and diplomatic corps break-ins, which are well-crafted to fuel the tension. The author asks whether our worst mistakes define us and offers Kaylah a moving redemption arc. The setting of Race Against Time is vividly drawn with imagery that moves from cybergames and food synthesizers to Adoni gambling culture. The chases and one well-aimed kick are playful and age-appropriate. Overall, this book delighted me, just as I expected.

Race Against Time: StarNet Academy Book 2 by Rose Horn is a children’s science fiction story about cadet Tori Winston, who is trying to move past her academy probation by befriending a new classmate, Patrik. He quickly becomes part of her circle of friends, but Tori soon finds herself caught up in something she does not understand. Kaylah, their former enemy, contacts Tori and tells her that everything is repeating exactly as before, except for Patrik. Tori now has to work with Kaylah to figure out what is happening before the timeline breaks apart. As Tori tries to understand why Patrik is different from everyone else, she also has to question whether someone she has started to trust is hiding something dangerous.

I liked the futuristic atmosphere of the story, especially the space academy. I love Tori as a character because she wants to do good and show the academy that she deserves to be there. I like that she will risk her life for other people. I felt bad for Kaylah too. Her past still haunted her, and she had a hard time forgiving herself and moving on. Patrik is capable and has a very sharp mind to work through difficult situations. He seems to fit in with everyone else, but there is obviously more to him than meets the eye. The pace was fast and exciting and kept me interested in the whole story. I would recommend Rose Horn's Race Against Time to young readers who enjoy science fiction, space academies, and time loops.

Race Against Time is Rose Horn's second StarNet Academy book. It begins with thirteen-year-old cadet Tori Winston, on probation, traveling to the planet Adonell to meet her friends Yiara and Eda and their sister, Kaylah, who isn't friendly with anyone. In fact, Kaylah is under house arrest because of previous misdeeds. Her father has given her an alien device that’s supposed to help her meditate and destress, but it has other powers as well. Back at the StarNet Academy, Tori settles into her routine, trying to stay out of trouble and improve her grades. But then she starts hearing voices in her head, warning that she and the Academy are caught in a time loop. In fact, everyone except the new cadet Patrik seems to be affected. Kaylah wants to make amends and help Tori, but can they stop the time loop from destroying StarNet Academy?

Race Against Time is an enjoyable read with an original plot that Rose Horn develops skillfully. Teens will identify with the pressures and stresses of life at the Academy, the friendships and the run-ins with authority figures, who are kept in the dark by the cadets as far as possible. They will also relate to the urge that both Tori and her enemy have to do good, even if the methods may be a little dubious. Tori’s rivalry with Jamison, tinged with attraction, will also feel familiar. There are some references to events that happened in the past, and a bit of a cliffhanger ending, but the book can be read as a stand-alone.

Two months have passed, but it still appears as though the shenanigans that got Cadet Tori Winston placed on probation by StarNet Academy have turned her into a pariah among her fellow cadets. Rather than sulk over her predicament, she throws herself into class activities, hoping to make new friends and fill the void in her life. All of that changes when she begins hearing a strange voice in her head intimating to her that all may not be going well with StarNet Academy. Tori smells another mystery brewing, but this time she has to consider whether saving StarNet from imminent disaster is worth risking an even harsher punishment from the authorities. Find out which choice she makes in Rose Horn's Race Against Time.

Tori's subtle references to the events that led to her punishment and her previous adventures craft an in-depth origin story for her while linking this installment to the previous book in the series. The dialogue shifts from regular teenage banter complete with contemporary pop culture references to an investigative tone as Tori sifts through her list of suspects. Rose Horn's narrative style emphasizes seemingly minor details, such as Tori's interactions with her classmate, ultimately creating a believable adventure that will appeal to young adult readers. The author weaves these elements together using a graduated pace and a subtle comedic theme highlighted by Tori's hilarious ripostes when accosted by StarNet Academy personnel familiar with her past. Mystery enthusiasts will enjoy the strategically placed clues just as much as the science fiction fans will enjoy figuring out how the strange devices in the Academy work. I enjoyed reading Race Against Time.