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The third part of GraphicAudio's adaptation of The Demon Spirit brings to a close the second book in R.A. Salvatore's series, The Demon Wars Saga. It's the second in a seven-book epic and this title ends with an extreme cliffhanger. A recap of the story begins as the Demon Dactyl awakens and is eventually defeated by a Ranger, Warrior, Wizard, Centaur and Elf before the demon can take over the land of Corona.

The Wizard is a holy man from the Abellican Church, known as Avelyn Desbris. After leaving the church, he is hunted down for "stealing" magic gemstones. Avelyn's mentor discovers Avelyn is not the heretic that Father Abbot Markwart sets him out to be, but rather, a saint that saved the land. The Centaur, Bradwarden, is discovered alive and the church tries to torture him into confessing that Avelyn is a heretic. The Ranger, Elbryan and the Warrior, named Pony, continue fighting giants, goblins and dwarves (leftover from the Dactyl's armies) to save the common folk in the land of Corona. As the book closes, there are many more acts of deceit and heroism, making this series well-worth investing the time needed to hear it.

Elbryan and Pony have grown closer and decide to marry. However, they postpone having children until all the enemies of Corona have been defeated and the land is once again safe. In protecting the land, they become targets for the evil Father Abbot Markwart and his assassins. Markwart hears of magics being used in the northlands and knows the magic can only be performed using the gemstones "stolen" by Avelyn Desbris. Markwart arrives in Pony's hometown, where he schemes to get back the stolen gemstones from Pony. He adds Pony's adopted parents to the torture chambers with the Centaur Bradwarden and attempts to force them to help him find Pony and discredit Avelyn.

But the Church no longer has a solid foundation and Master Jojonah, a high-ranking member of the Church and a former teacher of Avelyn, begins to see the rot in his beloved institution. As a result, he works quietly to bring to light the truth about Avelyn. As mentioned earlier, R.A. Salvatore ended this book with a massive cliffhanger that leaves you wondering -- will the church survive and, if so, in what incarnation?

The best part of listening to this series is that it is produced by GraphicAudio. With GraphicAudio's "movie in your mind" approach, listening to these productions makes you feel as though you've been launched into the magical/mythical land of Corona and are sitting alongside the characters, watching the story unfold. The acting is superb, the sound effects are ultra-realistic and the incidental music helps shape the moods of the story. Bravo GraphicAudio!

Gil T. has spent a quarter of a century working in radio and has lots of spare time on his hands and reading or listening to books takes up all that time. Check out his blog to find out what he's up to at any given moment.