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Ghosts of Kurosawa

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John Wick meets The Bourne Identity in this heart-pounding descent into Tokyo’s criminal underworld, where a rouge assassin must confront his past to stop a deadly genetic virus.

Five years ago, Ryō killed his Yakuza partner Niko—after watching him murder the woman he loved.
Now living as Hiroshi Ichihara, a quiet college student, he’s buried his past. A second chance. A normal life.

Until a first date shatters everything.

Forced to reveal himself, Ryō discovers the impossible: Niko is alive.
Worse, he’s united the Yakuza clans and engineered a CRISPR virus that could destroy the world. Only one person can stop him—the assassin Ryō swore he'd never become again.

But there’s a price. Every kill awakens the darkness inside him, the bloodlust that made him Tokyo's most feared killer. The more he fights, the more his humanity slips away.

With Ayako Yanagi—a brilliant doctor caught in the crossfire—as his only ally, Ryō must return to Tokyo’s underworld to infiltrate Niko’s genetically enhanced army and stop the virus before it’s unleashed. But defeating his former brother-in-arms may cost him the one thing he’s fought to his soul.

Can he save the world without becoming the monster he fears most?

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2026

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About the author

Asghar Ali

1 book4 followers
Asghar (pronounced Uhz-grr) lives in Southern California with his wife, Leema. By day, he works as a technology consultant; by night, he builds worlds where science fiction and fantasy collide in thrilling, cinematic tales.

A lifelong fan of immersive storytelling—from RPGs and anime to books and film—he loves creating stories that make readers feel like they’re in the middle of the action. His characters are colorful, imperfect, and driven to grow in the face of heart-pounding adventure.

When he’s not writing, Asghar paints, experiments with 3D printing, and travels with his wife, discovering inspiration in every new city they visit.

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
11 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2026
The story follows a former assassin forced out of hiding when a deadly, genetically engineered threat resurfaces alongside a ghost from his past. It is relentless in pacing, the novel delivers sharp action sequences while exploring themes of identity, guilt, and redemption. It’s a great book for readers who enjoy morally conflicted heroes and adrenaline driven plots.

Thank you net galley for this ARC
Profile Image for Donna Heard.
186 reviews4 followers
March 4, 2026
New identity with a fresh start, that was what Hiro worked so hard for. He tried to live by the wise words of his father always in the back of his mind. When the nightmare starts he knows something is very off. Elsie finally gets the nerve to act on her feelings towards Hiro, when it all starts. The writing is done well and this story is full of action and plot twist.
Profile Image for My_Books_In_Nooks.
364 reviews17 followers
June 27, 2026
ARC Review of ‘Ghosts of Kurosawa’.

Wow! This book is just wow!
From the very start it pulls you in to the world of thriller, mystery, intrigue.
Reading this felt like seeing a movie unfold in words!
The way the writer builds this world step by step is amazing!
This book can be read by our teens Imo since no 🌶️. Yes some fighting scenes are graphic, but as I said, it is like a movie unfolding while reading.
I seriously loved this book and I cannot wait to read the next installment which is when??!!
If ai could give 10⭐️ … yes I can
10/5⭐️
Awesome debut!!!
Profile Image for Candee.
107 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2026
Such a good book. If you love action packed books then this book is for you. Definitely military black ops mission that goes wrong in so many ways. And as always there is a mole in the government that is leaking information. Ryo a main character is such an interesting character that has a lot of trauma that has not been resolved. I love Ryo he is so strong but doesn’t seem so strong but amazing. The plot twist that comes in this book is amazing and definitely caught me off guard which I love. I think the only thing I would have liked is if Ryo got to fulfill his revenge. Still a good book.
Profile Image for Dom Garcia.
237 reviews20 followers
April 15, 2026
I was really impressed with this one.

Ghosts of Kurosawa follows Ryo, a former assassin who’s stepped away from a life in the shadows after a devastating loss. Now living under a new identity, he’s pulled back in when a gene-mutating virus threatens to wipe out civilization. With the clock ticking and a potential love interest by his side, he’s forced to confront not only the mission—but everything he tried to leave behind.

This had a gritty, underworld feel set against the backdrop of Tokyo that immediately pulled me in. There’s a strong John Wick-like energy here—fast-paced, action-heavy, and filled with moments that keep the tension high—but it never sacrifices story for spectacle.

What stood out most to me was the writing. It’s detailed without feeling overwhelming, and the world feels fully realized. The supporting cast is well-rounded, each character adding something meaningful to the story rather than just filling space.

Beyond the action, this explores grief, trauma, and redemption in a way that gives the story more weight. Ryo’s journey feels grounded, even in the middle of all the chaos.

Overall, this was an engaging and well-written read with a compelling mix of action and emotional depth. Definitely one to check out if you enjoy thrillers with a darker edge and strong character work.
Profile Image for Raven.
83 reviews19 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 1, 2026
I was provided this book through Netgalley in return for my review.

Our main character, Ryō, is a haunted man. He is pulled back into a life he had violently torn himself from after he is tracked down through a potential love interest at college. There's a ghost from Ryō's past come back to life threatening to release a gene mutating virus and only Ryō can stop him. The action in the book can best be described as cinematic. There's a teaser at the end that points to this being the beginning of a series and I'm certain it will be an interesting one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 reviews
August 2, 2026
Positives: I will say the writer has a terrific sense of pacing as the story moves along briskly. The fight scenes and combat are wonderfully written. At times it does feel like I am reading a John Wick script.

Negatives: Overall, the plot and characters are the weakest part. There is a lot that makes no sense. And the villain is basically the worst version of the Joker.

The main character is a seasoned assassin, and the book starts out with a bit of high school-style romance, and the girl is just dropped - never to be mentioned again. It's not quite clear why Ryo is in college. He is almost 30 years old, and under an assumed name.

The US President explicitly hates blacks for no reason. Totally unnecessary. But it seemed important that the US president had to be racist and only won an election because of a Social Media Magnate who helped him and who became his top aide.

(SPOILER LINE HERE: The villain of the story wants to murder billions of people and has dialog the villains of the worst Schumacher Batman movies). He is channeling some bizarre version of the joker saying stuff like " and now the fun begins."

The entire scheme is absurd, like a bad comic book story, but the violence and setting are so grounded, so the tone of the story is completely discordant. There are parts where it's all so serious and then you are surrounded by genetically modified super soldiers with animal genes like some B movie slasher.

The book leaves room for an obvious sequel, but I don't care to finish the rest of it, honestly. A lot has to get cleaned up for me to want to dive back into these characters.

I think the author clearly has talent, but I think he needs a fresh start and a new project before I will consider giving him another shot.

After having just finished The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee, I was looking for another cyberpunk samurai thriller, but sadly, Ghosts of Kurasawa left me wanting.

2/5 stars
Profile Image for Ceara .
33 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. I really enjoyed the overall storyline and that the main character not being Japanese, in a very Japanese centered story was a unique concept. I felt like the story played out very well and the ending set up for potential to be a series. I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and when reading it, it felt like I was watching an action movie in my head. My only qualms were the direct translation of the Japanese used to English, and then at some points it would just say "said in Japanese". I think for continuity sake, it should be one or the other. Additionally, I felt at some times it could get a little wordy in the descriptions, and while I do think it CAN add to the story for painting that image for the reader, it wasn't entirely necessary. I really loved Ayako's character arc and how Ryo's view of her changed throughout the book. The complexity of the kind of push and pull between Ryo and the Beast was also a really nice touch. Overall, I think this is a great story that's really face-paced, action-packed, and interesting enough to keep the reader engaged and always wanting to turn the page. I've already recommended this book to a few people and plan on continuing to do so.
Profile Image for Mandy Britt.
678 reviews73 followers
Review of advance copy
February 23, 2026
​Ryō is a haunted man who has violently torn himself from a past life as an assassin, only to be dragged back in when a potential love interest inadvertently leads his enemies to his quiet college campus. When a ghost from his history resurfaces threatening to release a gene-mutating virus, Ryō remains the only person capable of stopping the catastrophe. The stakes are high, secrets are exposed, and the resulting narrative is a fast-paced, high-energy ride that feels remarkably cinematic.
​While the story’s momentum is strong, there are moments where the prose leans heavily into description—potentially a byproduct of translation—which can occasionally slow the otherwise breakneck pace. However, Ryō remains a compelling, well-rounded protagonist with nearly superhuman skills that make him easy to root for. This book effectively balances a "save the world" plot with deep character complexity, making it a must-read for fans of Japan-inspired stories and anime-style action. The ending serves as a perfect teaser for a future series, and I am certainly interested in seeing where Ryō’s journey goes next.
Profile Image for Craig Page.
30 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 17, 2026
Verdict:

A sword-wielding, action-packed race against time through Tokyo.

What worked for me:

The book delivers plenty of action, a fair amount of blood, and a cinematic narrative that creates vivid, almost visual storytelling.

Fight scenes are clear and dynamic, making this an easy and engaging read.

Character interactions are another strength. Conflicting goals are clearly defined, and the moral ambiguity surrounding the protagonist adds interest without muddying the narrative.

A central element of the story is its race-against-time premise. While there is a consistent sense of momentum, I personally never felt the full urgency of that ticking clock, which slightly reduced the overall intensity.

Standout elements:

• Action, blood, and swords

Who is this for:

Readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-heavy thrillers with cinematic flair.

Final thought:

A quick, entertaining read that stays grounded, delivers on its action, and leaves the door open for further stories and character development.
Profile Image for Nikki B..
1,183 reviews30 followers
March 20, 2026
Ghosts of Kurosawa is a science fiction story that is action packed right from the beginning. Now, this isn't usually my type of read, but I wanted to go a little outside of my usual box and try something that isn't my typical read. I am so glad I did. I loved Ryo's character.
Ryo is trying to escape his past as an assassin. He's under the assumption that he killed his Yakuza partner Niko after killing the woman he loved. Under the new identity as Hiroshi, he meets Ayako, a brilliant doctor. But when his past catches up with them, Ayako is definitely caught in the crossfire. They learn that Niko is still alive and has engineered a virus. Together, Ayako and Ryo will try to take him down again.
This story is told in multi pop, but the action is constantly flowing. The scenes are so descriptive without being boring that the story plays out like a movie as you read. I could picture everything happening so clearly. I I think Ryo is a well written, well thought out character.
I recommend giving this a read. Again, not my usual read, but it was very enjoyable!!!
Profile Image for Reading Xennial.
724 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 6, 2026
3.5 stars

This was a fun and wild ride. It felt like watching an action movie. Ryo was an assassin and is now living as a college student alter ego. He gets pulled back into his assassin world after the yakuza develop a deadly virus and Ryo is the only one to stop them.

This was fun and action packed, but at times the writing felt a bit amateur. I’m not sure if this is translated, knowing that might change readers' perception. The writing isn’t bad but some things are too descriptive and feel wordy. Ryo is a great character and I like how it ended with the potential to be a series. I would continue this if it becomes a series. I recommend this to fans of Japan based media or fans of Anime/Manga.

Thank you, NetGalley and Vagrant Publishing for allowing me to read this early. The opinion in this review is my own.
1 review
May 2, 2026
When I heard it was a sci-fi thriller, I knew it was right up my alley. Sure enough, the book was everything I thought it was going to be, and then some! Not only were the characters intriguing, they also felt real in the sense that they had extreme depth and actually felt like people. Ryō’s journey after he thought that part of his life had passed makes it feel like something straight out of an action movie. The mental voice that is the Beast and the visual cues we get from people around him when the Beast makes it out makes me reminiscent of Moon Knight, where he’s not visually different but there are small clues as to who’s in control at the moment. Ayako’s story from “just another civilian” to a partner in crime, as well as her personal stake in the events make her a very fleshed out character. I can’t wait for the sequel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
174 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 3, 2026
This book is fast-paced and action-packed, following the MMC after he escaped and tries to move on and leave his violent past behind. Just when he starts settling into a normal college life, a potential love interest accidentally brings that danger to him, dragging him into a world he thought he was done with.

When someone from Ryō’s past resurfaces with a plan to release a dangerous virus, it quickly becomes clear that Ryō is the only one who can stop him. The stakes are high, secrets start coming out, and old wounds are reopened along the way.

I really enjoyed this one. The action was fun and kept things moving, and Ryō is a solid, well-written character that’s easy to root for.
Profile Image for Vickie.
157 reviews7 followers
March 4, 2026
The novel follows a former assassin forced out of hiding when a deadly genetically engineered threat resurfaces alongside a ghost from his past, and it never slows down. With relentless pacing and expertly executed action sequences, the story keeps the tension high while still digging into powerful themes of identity, guilt, and redemption. The morally conflicted protagonist is a standout, adding emotional weight and complexity to the adrenaline-fueled plot. This is a highly engaging read and an easy recommendation for anyone who loves fast-paced action paired with strong character development.
Profile Image for Julia Reitzer.
94 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 16, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was a fast, entertaining ride that felt very much like an action movie that jumps out of each page. The story follows Ryo, a former assassin now living under the guise of a college student, who is forced back into his deadly past when the yakuza unleash a dangerous virus and he becomes the only person capable of stopping them.

The pacing is quick and the action keeps things moving, making it an easy and engaging read. While I enjoyed the overall concept and momentum, there were moments where the writing felt a bit inexperienced. At times, scenes leaned heavily into description, which occasionally slowed the story more than necessary. That said, the writing itself isn’t bad, and it’s possible that translation played a role in how some sections came across.

Ryo is a strong and compelling protagonist, and I appreciated how the ending leaves room for future installments. If this turns into a series, I’d definitely be interested in continuing. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy Japan-inspired stories, anime or manga vibes, and high-energy action narratives.
Profile Image for Justine Manzano.
Author 13 books103 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 8, 2026
I had the pleasure of doing an early reading of this book and it was such a fun read. Tons of action, mystery and a main character with nearly superhuman skill. It was like reading an action film, in the best possible way. However, it wasn't all simple fun--the hero and supporting cast are all complex and well-rounded, and the 'save the world' style plot is uniquely chilling. I'm looking forward to checking out future work from this author!
Profile Image for Maggie.
40 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 15, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I usually don’t read books like this but I loved it. The storyline was amazing. I was hooked from page one. Once I began reading it I couldn’t put it down.

This book has helped me get out of my comfort zone and enjoy a new genre.
17.5k reviews195 followers
Review of advance copy
February 24, 2026
He had to kill his partner and that made him put his life in a hidden corner while becoming someone very different. He is about to learn they survive his attack and is now behind a deadly virus which could destroy civilization. He may need to become his old self to save civilization so see how he goes about it.
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great action read
Profile Image for Eloise Clayton.
164 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 2, 2026
This story is such an intense ride. It blends Yakuza drama with biotech thriller vibes, but at its core it's really about guilt, loyalty, and whether someone can truly escape their past. Ryõ's struggle between staying human and becoming the assassin he used to be again gives the action real emotional weight.
Fast paced, dark, and full of tension, it keeps you hooked the whole way through.
Profile Image for Viviana.
398 reviews
March 3, 2026
3.5 stars

this story is fast paced and fun to read it, if you like action packed, sword fights this is for you. does give john wick vibes i enjoyed , ryo is an assassin who life that world behind but now they have found him and he dragged back as he only one that stop the unleashing of a deadly virus.
Profile Image for Raul Cortez.
6 reviews
June 28, 2026
So far my favorite book I’ve read this year !!! It felt like John Wick mixed with Ninja Assassin and add a ticking time clock of a mass bio weapon about to be released ! From the fight scenes to twists throughout the book ! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time . Not a dull moment ! If you like action , definitely read this book !
Profile Image for Mik Wasiak.
448 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy
February 24, 2026
fun action story a good read i got early copy from hidden gems
8 reviews6 followers
March 20, 2026
Action

I really enjoyed this book it was like John Wick meets Ninga Assassin. I was glued to my seat locked in !
Profile Image for Jessica Ungar.
142 reviews3 followers
March 3, 2026
I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Ghosts of Kurosawa by Asghar Ali. I gave this book 3.5 stars. The concept of the book is unique. There are multiple POV’s which I found confusing as you had to read into the chapter a little to figure out which POV it was. The multiple POV’s, though confusing added a depth to the story that otherwise wouldn’t be there. Asghar clearly did a lot of research on Japan and its history. If you are looking for a Japanese centered fiction novel I would recommend giving this book a read.
2 reviews
March 27, 2026
Review of advanced copy:

Description of the book is accurate, enjoyable, will purchase a copy.
1 review
July 25, 2026
In Ghosts of Kurosawa, Ryo has left his life as an assassin in Japan behind in order to start a new life. Things take a turn when a date goes wrong, and he is forced back into his old life. Ryo is confronted with his past when he is tasked with saving the world from a deadly virus.

This book is a thrilling and immersive read that blends multiple genres into a story that is hard to put down. The author does a great job weaving together elements of suspense, action, and emotion, which kept me engaged throughout the entire book. Each character is distinct and has a unique voice. It is easy to become invested in Ryo’s journey, and I am excited for the next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews