A Middle Eastern literary romantasy set in the UAE One of a handful of Emirati novels in English An electrifying mix of real-world and fantasy, The Red Island: The Gatekeeper is the coming-of-age story of a young Emirati man, Badr, who finds himself in the uncharted territories of Al Jazirah Al Hamra, an abandoned town in Ras Al Khaimah. The year is 2001: terrible things have happened. Badr is harbouring many secrets and disappointments. On his quest to rescue a friend and reunite with the girl he loves, Badr seeks answers in a vivid, surreal world of jinns, dark magic and spiritual healing.