Copper Smith & The Battle of the Bands

This highly original fantasy adventure focuses on the natural world set against an undercurrent of superstition and folklore. It can be read as a children's musical mystery, full of suspense and intrigue, or as a modern adult crossover tale of the interplay between music, nature and mankind. The story follows the young hero's thrilling escapades at school and across the planet, as he deals with espionage, kidnap and a terrifying enemy in a desperate race against time before the decisive 'Battle of the Bands'. It is a question of honour versus dishonour, harmony versus disharmony, order versus chaos - but who will win the final Battle?

Caspian Ashworth trained as a choirboy at Bath Abbey before gaining a PhD in Animal Physiology at Cambridge. He is a member of the RSPB and WWT in West Sussex. The illustrations were created by his brother Neil Ashworth.

"The book to read - not a book that thinks for you but one that makes you think." H.Lee

"In order to see the birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence." R.Lynd

"Some birds aren't meant to be caged, their colours are just too bright." M.Freeman