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Ghosts of Kurosawa
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?
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?
- GenresScience Fiction
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2026
3 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Asghar Ali
1 book3 followersAsghar (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.
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 - 16 of 16 reviews
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.
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
Thank you net galley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy
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
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great action read
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
Fast paced, dark, and full of tension, it keeps you hooked the whole way through.
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.
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.
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.
Review of advance copy
fun action story a good read i got early copy from hidden gems
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews