Published By: Piccadilly Press
Pages: 272
Released On: 07/05/2026
Reading Age: 9-12
Be quiet. Be polite. Or be silenced.
Alfie and Margot Hawthorne have grown up under the Ministry of Manners, where politeness isn’t a choice – it’s the law. And one wrong word can change your life. He knows how to stay out of trouble, but she has never been one for quiet obedience.
When the Ministry takes Margot, everything changes. Inside the Manners Retreat, she fights to stay herself in a place built to erase her. Meanwhile, Alfie falls in with the Unsilenced – those who still dare to speak. But the Ministry has plans of its own. And if they succeed, rebellion won’t just be punished. It’ll be impossible.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Piccadilly Press for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Yes it’s a fun kids fantasy adventure story, but it’s got such heart to it, and at times it’s actually quite frightening how close of what happens is to reality.
It was funny, adventurous, exciting, scary, and just really fun. It’s gripping and addictive and you won’t what to put it down.
It feels very 1984 but for kids. Maybe not as terrifying, but it definitely has similar themes.
It’s a short, quick book read that I think kids are going to love. I think it’s the perfect book to read in class, maybe Year 5s and up. Whilst it’s not the toughest read for an adult – then again it’s not aimed at them – there is still enough to really get your teeth into and after a serious of depressing books, this was a breath of fresh air.
This is my first of David’s books but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more.
This has some really fantastic characters. Some more important to the plot than others, and some are more of a goodie than a baddie, but they were all very interesting. Alfie and Margot are wonderful protagonists. Two sides of a coin. Alfie follows the rules whereas Margot wants to rebel. And the rest of the characters work in their own stories as well as Alfie and Margot’s.
Oooooooooh please let there be a sequel, this was just fabulous and I want more.
Books By Your Bedside 