Rumi Revisited by Craig Wells is set in LA in 1964 and tells the story of Cody, a friend of Malia and her father, the last survivors of the Chumash tribe. A Persian man befriended by Cody, Mr. Ozzard, was once kidnapped by a demonic Chokki warrior bandit named Rami and rescued by his father, who had killed the Chokki brothers. Rami returned and took Malia, mistaken for Mr. Ozzard’s daughter Eishea, as revenge for the murder of his brothers. Cody is in love with Malia and goes on a quest with Mr. Ozzard to rescue her, armed with only a mythical dagger stolen from Rami. A large but friendly bull mastiff helps Malia to escape to the home owned by his master, Oscar, carrying a dagger with her. Rami returns and manages to capture Eishea. Malia, Cody, Oscar, Alex, and Joseph go to rescue Eishea, who they fear has been tortured by Rami.

Rumi Revisited is imaginative and filled with constant action as Cody tries to save first Malia and then Eishea. The variety of interesting characters from different tribal cultures makes for an unusual combination of friends. Author Craig Wells makes use of extraordinary dialogue between the characters to carry the story forward. I enjoyed the different scenes, locations, and events vividly described in the story including the homes belonging to characters and the vehicles which they drive. The family dynamics play an integral part in the story and contribute to the personalities of the main characters. This novel is suitable for adults who enjoy reading something a little different, unusual, and diverse.

In Rumi Revisited, author Craig Wells places his hero Cody in 1965 Los Angeles. Cody is a quirky teenager who is attracted to Malia, his best friend and potential girlfriend. She has tribal ancestral roots which give her the ability to travel between worlds, as well as superpowers. Cody and Malia frequent a neighborhood shop where Mr. Ozzard, the owner, once related the story of how, as a child, he had been the victim of abduction by bandits in the Middle East. In order to free him, his father hired mercenaries to kill the captors, thereby invoking a tribal curse upon him. This triggers a bizarre series of events when the surviving kidnapper returns years later to seek revenge in the form of the sinister figure of Rami. After an intense struggle involving paranormal manifestations, Rami kidnaps Malia, believing her to be Ozzard’s daughter. Rami also possess superpowers and chaos ensues as Cody enlists help in his search to find Malia. To make matters worse, Mr. Ozzard’s real daughter Eishea is also abducted. In the meantime, Malia escapes and meets the reclusive Oscar, with a little help from his dog Max, who both enter the fray. The stage is set for a showdown with Rami amidst local rioting, visits to Disneyland, nightclubs, supernatural events, and general pandemonium.

Rumi Revisited is a complex and fast-moving tale. Interestingly, Craig Wells weaves the plot around the symbolism of a mysterious dagger, said to be the weapon that was used in ancient times to kill Rumi, the Persian poet and mystic. The diverse characters are drawn from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in some cases with links to the ancients and their intuitive knowledge of the spirit world. As we learn more about the main role players, we become aware of their often unhealthy family relationships, which extend to both physical and emotional abuse. There are flashbacks to earlier events as the characters search for Malia and Eishea. In some respects, those directly involved also seek to regain their own identities, and these dynamics are skilfully portrayed. Romantic and family issues are also explored to reach closure and correct past wrongs. Some readers may find it difficult to keep track of the unfolding relationships between the new characters that suddenly appear, while the action is at times disjointed. Suspense builds throughout the often violent clash between good and evil. I liked the writing style, which echoes the turbulent plot and will entertain the audience to the last page.