The Last Contract of Isako

by Fonda Lee

A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away, in this standalone dystopian epic from the author of the modern fantasy classic Jade City. 

LIVE BY THE CODE. DIE BY THE KNIFE.

Isako is a legendary swordswoman, but every legend must come to an end. When her long-time client unexpectedly retires, she plans to follow—to walk out into the frozen wasteland of their planet with her head held high and her family enriched by her death. But when she's offered a final mission, she can't refuse, especially when she realizes who lies at the center of it Martim, her last—and worst—apprentice, who's somehow made his way to the top. As she's thrust into a world of corporate espionage and shadowy secrets, what she uncovers could forever change humanity's existence among the stars.  

The Last Contract of Isako is epic science fiction like only Fonda Lee can write it—set in a world where money trumps loyalty, the elite have the power to extend life or end it, and one woman in the twilight of her calling must decide what's ultimately worth living—or dying—for.
 

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adult, Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space

523 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

Fonda Lee is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the epic Green Bone Saga, beginning with Jade City and continuing in Jade War and Jade Legacy. Her most recent work is the fantasy novella, Untethered Sky. She is also the author of the acclaimed science fiction novels Zeroboxer, Exo and Cross Fire.

Fonda is a winner of the Locus Award, a six-time winner of the Aurora Award (Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award), and a multiple finalist for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. Her novels have garnered multiple starred reviews, been included on numerous state reading lists, named Junior Library Guild selections, and appeared on Best of Year lists from NPR, Barnes & Noble, Syfy Wire, and others. Jade City was named among the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time by Time Magazine and has been optioned for television development.

Fonda is a former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist who loves action movies and Eggs Benedict. Born and raised in Canada, she currently resides in Boston.

Reviews

[Emily May · Rating 1 out of 5]

Field 20 boasted the newest TG6 fluorocarbon mixers that could increase the production of vital greenhouse gases by twenty to thirty percent. Uchi had been investing in development of the technology for years, and if all went well at the six trial facilities, including Field 20, upgrades would be rolled out across all of the Company's gas production divisions.

DNF - 61%. If the above quote does it for you, this is your book. If the term "corporate sci-fi" sounds right up your alley, The Last Contract of Isako could be your next favourite. But, I'm sorry, I was just so so bored.

I'll be upfront: I never managed to get into Jade City either, so I’m starting to think it’s just a disconnect with Lee’s writing. I find it very dry and emotionally-detached.

This book uses the "one last job" trope in a sci-fi setting, on the planet Aquilo. The central conflict is about Sandbar Uchi, who has been nominated to the Board of Directors at SoCon GasPro. Swordswoman Isako’s last contract is to stop this from happening, using whatever means necessary. She goes digging into Uchi, looking for whatever shady shit he’s been up to.

The characters didn’t stand out for me. I feel like even the most developed character– our protagonist, Isako —is defined by her skill with a longsword, not anything I could really understand, relate to, or care about. Everyone else was completely forgettable.

Most of what I read was about the business side of things, all the bureaucratic details that I could not care one bit about. Despite centring a swordswoman, the 61% I read was surprisingly bloodless in all senses. Low on action, even lower on emotional engagement.

Even the act of resigning (actually dying) is unemotional. In this world, children are regularly separated from birth parents and even Isako’s daughter lacks much of a relationship with her. Nobody seems to care all that much that she will die, including Isako herself— Kob says he’d like to be there with her, but doesn’t seem too cut up about it. It's such a very strange decision to have the characters emotionally disconnected from everything that is happening. How am I supposed to care?

I was waiting for something to happen, something to interest me, then halfway through we switch to another character and get lots of info filled in, which is when I realised… I didn’t care. Stuff had started happening, answers had started arriving, and none of it interested me. The description was in all the wrong places. I wanted more from the characters, less from the government and business side.

At this point, I am so uninterested in the characters that I know even an amazing 40% couldn't make this more than a 3-star read. I'm giving up. I hope others enjoy it more.

[ଘRory (Hiatus )]

✦︎ֶָ֢📢prepare to be sick of me cuz I got an advanced reading copy 🤪


_OMG WE HAVE A COVER 🥶❤️.

my most anticipated book for 2026 😋
📢I NEED THE COVER

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels so good to have Fonda Lee back! I enjoyed this, but I do think readers may need to adjust expectations for it.

The “corporate samurai” marketing for the book gives the impression (or at least it did for me) that this was going to be heavier on the action and just have a level of high “excitement” to it overall. That’s defintely sprinkled in here, but it’s not the focus at all. The Last Contract of Isako feels more like a careful and slower-paced scifi mystery where the characters just so happen to be samurai. In a lot of ways, the story is more quiet than it is flashy. And while I enjoyed the cast overall, I don’t think this is Fonda Lee’s strongest character work.

At the heart of the story, we follow Isako as she’s trying to unravel secrets about her former apprentice and, in the process, she’s also uncovering secrets about the corporate entity known simply as The Company that governs their planet. Every aspect of the world building here is great- the history of Aquilo, the differing beliefs between reunionists and terraformists, The Company’s divisions, the structure of the Agency and its contractors. All amazing.

My biggest issue here is defintely the pacing, particularly in the first half. Following Isako from place to place as she’s uncovering small leads and trying to unravel the mystery began to feel a bit slow going, but Fonda Lee has earned my full patience and trust (I’ll follow her anywhere atp), so I had no problem hanging in there as the story unfolded.

I don’t think The Last Contract of Isako is going to be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it! This is another hit for Fonda Lee and is a great scifi standalone.

[Mike's Book Reviews]

Another strong outing from Fonda Lee. At this point she’s four‑for‑four with me, and this one hits a very specific sweet spot: the “one last mission” story anchored by an older, world‑weary protagonist. I’ve been a sucker for that setup ever since watching Clint Eastwood's The Unforgiven as a preteen, but mixing that vibe with samurai aesthetics and sci‑fi trappings turned out to be something I didn’t know I was craving.

The action lands cleanly, the dialogue has real snap, and the world feels surprisingly full for a story this compact, especially from a fantasy reader’s perspective, where “short” usually means “still 500 pages.” If you enjoyed the Green Bone Saga’s blend of grit, honor, and character‑driven momentum, there’s no reason this won’t work for you.

My personal test for a great standalone is simple: would I happily read more stories set in this world? In this case, absolutely. I’d love to see Lee return to it.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a preview copy of this and ate it up in two nights. Absolutely stunning. Stars a badass samurai in sci-fi world you will root for from the start. Reads like a Bladerunner movie. Grab it!

[Mai ༊*·˚]

first Fonda Lee book and it’s about a female assassin… yessss!

_______

Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC.

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!
3.25✨

The last contract of Isako was a slow paced story about a corporate samurai in a sci-fi setting.
With the premise, I admit I expected more action than what was included. This novel was more philosophical than anything else, imo.

Now if you’re looking for escapism - this will not be what you’re looking for. The tone was extremely cold and depressing, if I’m being quite frank. There’s just a lot of similarities to things that have been going on in the world.

About the cold tone - it also transferred to the characters. They were written in an emotionless way and I couldn’t root for them (except Kob). They were morally-grey, and I think the line between good/bad in this novel was very slim.

The pacing of this novel was very slow ; with a lot of passages about going from one place to another. I predicted all of the twists but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment.

If you’re going into this thinking the bigger problems will be resolved by the end - then you’re not in the right mindset for it. It’s definitely realistic, but like I said… it’s not an escape from our world.
I loved the ending and wouldn’t change it.

[Krysta ꕤ]

dnf at 20% ..

this is more of a soft dnf, I’m just not in the mood for the pacing of this book right now & it’s not keeping my interest to be honest .

many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is more like a 3.5 or a 3.75 rounded up. i'm honestly conflicted on if i want to round up or round down, but for now i'll leave it how it is. overall i did enjoy it but there's a lot that worked for me & a little that didn't.

i liked that our MC was a fifty year old badass samurai with bad knees, some grinding hip pain & a foul mouth. Isako is an example of not always needing to relate to a character to enjoy a story, she was refreshing. the friendship between Kob & Isako was really cute, it felt real which made reading them together really enjoyable. i would have really loved to have gotten to see more of kob throughout the story. Martim was a surprise, i was not expecting to get as invented in his story/POV.

the writing was good, i can definitely see why so many people love Fonda Lee's work & i'm really looking forward to eventually diving into The Green Bone Saga! there's a good amount of fight scenes but i will admit based off the synopsis i expected a little bit more?

my biggest issue was the pacing, specifically in the beginning it felt pretty clunky.. while i usually like political/corporate conflict, in The Last Contract of Isako it didn't really work for me. there's a lot of corporate drama going on & we're kind of just dumped in the middle of it which caused for a lot of info dumping very early on. so much so that for a good 25% of the book i was confused which led me to not really connect or feel invested in the story until later on. it took me a while to grasp enough of the worldbuilding for me to get invested. this could be a "me" thing since i'm newer to sci-fi, but it did end up affecting my overall rating & enjoyment. maybe more advanced sci-fi/fantasy readers won't have the issue.

it definitely picks up in the second half & everything comes together eventually in the end. overall, it was a solid read that had its fun moments. if you like character driven sci-fi stories i think The Last Contract of Isako is worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[richa ⋆.˚★]

I will read anything by Fonda Lee 😌

[bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Fonda Lee — I think she's a talented writer, and I enjoyed The Green Bone Saga, so I went into this with high expectations. The premise is interesting, and explores themes such as honour, loyalty, corporate power/corruption, and the search for legacy.

I liked Isako and appreciated the choice of an older protagonist. It's refreshing to follow a main character who's experienced rather than the usual young, up and coming hero, and that perspective added something different to the story.

However, the pacing was a BIG struggle for me. The story moves painfully slow, and I often found myself getting bored. The mid-book POV shift didn't help and the ending was underwhelming.

Overall, I'm sad I didn't love this as much as I expected. If you like slower paced sci-fi with heavy politics, you might enjoy.

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine

3.25 stars

Considering how much I adore the way that Fonda Lee wrecked me in The Greenbone Saga, I feel like it was virtually impossible for me not to go into The Last Contract of Isako with ridiculously high expectations. Yet at the same time, the premise made me nervous because ‘corporate samurai in space’ sounded like it could go full nonstop action chaos, and that is not usually my thing. So, I started this book already conflicted and, shockingly, I am afraid that I ended it feeling… still very conflicted.

Now, the first few chapters of The Last Contract of Isako actually hooked me pretty fast and had me cautiously optimistic. See, I expected immediate chaos and sword fights and space explosions, but instead it leaned way more character-focused and moody, and I was so relieved. Isako also instantly proved herself to be such a genuinely refreshing protagonist, as she’s older, exhausted, jaded, and very aware that she’s not the legend she used to be but then still kicking ass when she needs to. The entire concept of this being her last contract before she essentially peaces out of life forever is deliciously bleak, and I was all in for the themes about aging, mortality, family, legacy, identity, and the soul-crushing machine of corporate life.

However, the execution of the story just never really worked for me personally, especially because third person present tense storytelling is just about my least favourite way of delivering a story. I always felt slightly outside of Isako’s head instead of fully in it, and I did not like how it seemed like I was watching through a window instead of actually feeling what she felt. The side characters also didn’t help much, as most of them felt like little more than names to me rather than people, which feels really weird to say considering how real the characters from Greenbone feel to me. Kob was the only exception with his intriguing backstory and complicated inner battles, and I kept wishing he had more page time because the complex, respectful, and playful dynamic between him and Isako was one of the most compelling parts of The Last Contract of Isako for me.

Instead, Lee just goes way harder on the world building and political scheming, and I think there's no denying that it's impressive how much of that was packed into this tight standalone. The whole backstory about Earth being lost and humanity trying to terraform Aquilo was genuinely fascinating to me, and I liked how global warming was actually the goal in The Last Contract of Isako instead of it being the nightmare that we are experiencing here ourselves on Earth. However, the actual political strife between the terraformists and the reunionists never grabbed my interest because I did not care for any of the players involved, which is kind of a problem when the entire central espionage plot hinges on that conflict.

But then, halfway through, Fonda Lee boldly threw in a major perspective and timeline shift (and a change to past tense, thank all that is holy) that really surprised me and shook things up. It pulled me back in for a while and made the plot feel more layered, but soon it also made the pacing feel weird, like I’d suddenly started reading a different book. Still, I think I ended up liking that character’s shocking journey with its exploration of identity and sacrifice even more than Isako’s, even if a lot of the suspense was ruined for me because I guessed one of the big reveals the moment that the perspective shift happened.

Ultimately, I don’t think Fonda Lee is capable of writing a bad book, but I fear she may be quite capable of writing a book that is just not for me. No, it wasn’t the action-heavy chaos I feared, but it swung a bit too far in the other direction that I ended up feeling quite bored by all the corporate maneuvering for large parts. Still, I think The Last Contract of Isako is an impressive and satisfying standalone with strong themes and a refreshingly different protagonist, and I totally respect what it’s going for. I can absolutely see why some readers will love it, but unfortunately, that reader is not me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Last Contract of Isako is scheduled for release on 5 May, 2026.

[Rebecca Roanhorse]

You had me at corporate samurais in space, but add a murder mystery with a surprising twist, effortless worldbuilding on a terraforming colony with a big secret, truly heartfelt characters grappling with duty and honor, and you have a slick space opera that in uniquely Fonda Lee. Fans of The Green Bone Saga are going to eat this up.

[rina · Rating 3 out of 5]

‎ ‎ ੭୧‎ ‎ 3 stars‎ ‎ . ۫

‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “ no one has beaten quickblade and strikebreaker together. not yet. ”

overall thoughts — the SHEER amount of energy, mental thinking, and intentionality it must have taken to write this book is so evident. the world-building, the setting, the characters, the plot, the action are all so insanely intricate and carefully woven together that i am in awe. fonda lee, the woman you are. she has said herself that this is her most difficult work yet, and for many reasons i completely agree. although, subjectively, i still preferred jade city, mainly because of the unmatched characters and family dynamics, it would be a lie to deny the apparent level of hard work, intelligence, and precision that went into this novel. the plot twist!! holyfreakingshit. genuinely the gag of the century.

i truly don't think i have ever, in all my years of book reviewing, been this conflicted about what rating to give a book. objectively, this is a five star read. but i read subjectively (always try to be as transparent as possible) and because of that, i find myself wanting to place this in the 3 to 4 star range. let me explain. firstly, i am not the biggest fan of pure sci-fi. however, with the right author, i can be convinced to try, and fonda lee is one of those authors. because of this, i struggled at times to fully enjoy the overarching idea, especially in the beginning, and found myself zoning out during certain parts of the novel. another reason the beginning was so difficult for me was because of how challenging it initially was to grasp the world-building and sci-fi concepts. if you go into this book and feel the same way at first, i urge you to push through. you will NOT regret it. everything eventually clicks into place, starts to make sense, takes form, and suddenly you are having the time of your life.

i also want to add that i didn't immediately click with the characters. relatability is something that is very important to any reader, so having characters mostly in the 40 to 70 age range was new and unfamiliar. but honestly, fuck relatability, because the comfort i ended up finding in these characters mattered so much more. once i got past the beginning, i completely fell in love with isako, martim, kob (not uchi), and their dynamics. the ending deserves its own moment because wow. it perfectly tied everything together and left my heart hurting just a little. i will miss isako and kob. my quickblade and strikebreaker <3

isako + kobㆍ“ she wanted to bring him back into the edge life; he wanted to bring her out. they tried to save each other. what a couple of idiots. ”

final thoughts — if you enjoy sci-fi even the slightest bit, this book is absolutely for you. fonda lee is one of my favorite authors, but i can also recognize that i might not be the target audience for this particular story. still, i consider myself a sensible person who can appreciate writing objectively, so please do not let my below four star rating dissuade you from picking up this gem!!! this book is also the reason i have such a fear of dnf'ing novels. my stupid hopeful self always believes a book that starts off badly might surprise me, and 99% of the time, that never happens. but this time, it actually did.

‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “ what freedom can people like us ever really have? ”

thank you to the author and publisher for the arc!

CW: intense/graphic violence, body horror, death, murder, blood

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

finished: 01/28/26
i'm spiraling. this was insane.

pre read: 01/25/26
oh fonda lee how i've missed your writing ☹ been waiting for this book for forever, it's beyond surreal that i get to read it early !! hoping this fills the void in me left by jade city.

[Youssra (semi ia- shelving books don't mind me)]

So ready for this to possibly be my new Sci-Fi obsession.

[Lance]

Oh she's (Fonda Lee) taking it (my direct deposit as soon as it hits my bank account)! ESPECIALLY WITH THIS COVER!!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The irony of me relaxing after my stressful corporate work day by reading about Isako’s even more stressful corporate work day is not lost on me. Our retirement plans are the same, so that was fun and relatable!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem from Fonda Lee! Lee creates a world where water & oxygen are precious commodities and humans don’t have a basic right to them. If you can’t contribute to society, then the habitat is unable to support you. This easily could have turned into a rehashed sci fi critique of capitalism or mega corporations but Fonda Lee never disappoints. It felt closer to an exploration of how environment shapes society and society shapes people, although there was plenty of commentary on corporate power structure & personal greed.

My biggest problem with the book was structure/pacing. We experience the first chunk of the book from one characters POV and the tone is almost Agatha Christie murder mystery. The next chunk is from a different POV & is a flashback that fills in any gaps we might still have. Finally we jump back to the present where all our characters converge to try get justice. I was able to guess many of the clues early on so flashing back from another characters perspective often felt unnecessary. I would have been more interested in the dual POV being established from the beginning & switching back and forth each chapter.

[Izzy⁷♡•° · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Fonda Lee at her finest, she did not disappoint, incredible intricate world building, characters with so much depth and believable beliefs and actions, a simmering but always present political landscape and amazing action scenes.

The Last Contract of Isako brings us to Aquilo a capitalist hellscape of a world with an high poignant life for its people, unless you have power of course. The pacing of the first part might not be for everyone but after the Green Bone Saga I fully trust the author's ability to take her reader where she wants to, and I have to say the second and third part of the book where absolutely flawless. In fact there was a reveal that just made me want to go back to page one and start the book all over again.

Overall a brilliant read that is bursting with nuance, real time issues and of course packs an emotional punch.

———————

I got the arc!!!

[Althea ☾]

update 5 (11/21/25): WE HAVE A COVER!!!! the sci fi vibes are SERVING. clearly my most anticipated release of 2026. more genre-bending Fonda Lee with cyberpunk corporate samurais 😩

update 4 (11/19/25): Fonda Lee announcement about this book on her instagram!!

update 3: OH ITS A STANDALONE!!!!! WE HAVE A SCI FI MYSTERY STANDALONE FROM FONDA LEE!!

update 2: [did we get moved to 2026? its okay im okay]

update 1: CYBERPUNK SAMURAIS BY FONDA LEE!!!! p.s. sci fi mystery that’s starring a swordswoman in her 50s…

i am counting down the DAYS. Orbit please love me enough to send an ARC. I am also assuming this is a standalone so... I AM BEGGING

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, but it’s not the same kind of love I had for The Green Bone Saga. I felt like there was a bit too little Isako in "The Last Contract of Isako".


------------------------------------------

"The Last Contract of Isako" by Fonda Lee is a strong, engaging novel that shines in its intriguing worldbuilding and layered political manoeuvrings. The setting is immersive, with a clear sense of history and power structures that shape the universe. The story thrives on difficult decisions and moral compromises, giving the narrative a grounded, high-stakes feel.

Isako is an excellent lead, and the moments told through her perspective were the highlight of the book. Her personal journey and internal conflicts were the most engaging part of the story for me. Because of that, I found the shift to the second viewpoint less compelling. While it added breadth, it also pulled away from the emotional and narrative momentum built around her, and I'd personally prefer to have more consistent focus on Isako herself.

In comparison to "The Green Bone Saga" this book didn't affect my as strongly on the emotional level. It is well-written and very intriguing, but id didn't create the same lingering impact (maybe because of this viewpoint change).

Overall, it's a well-crafted and enjoyable read. The combination of intricate politics, a vivid setting, and meaningful character choices makes it worth picking up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

given that I am not typically a sci-fi reader, i was a bit intimidated by this despite the intriguing premise. however, i didn't think that it felt difficult to grasp; the most complicated pieces are the world building / political ones, but i was expecting that from having read jade city before.

this society stresses me OUT - which i also fully expected given the dystopian-ness alluded to within the blurb. if i ever have the choice between dying or venturing into space, trust that i am dying.

i find isako to be incredibly endearing despite her flaws, and the inclusion of other primary characters towards the first 1/3 of the book helped flesh her character out more.

the ending was not what i was expecting necessarily, but again, given the jade city experience, this is largely unsurprising (though im very sad now).

overall, I would recommend if you are looking for a sci fi (mostly dystopian) adventure with a flawed older main character that is largely built around politics

**thank you to Orbit for the ARC copy**

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

3.5 hearts

The Last Contract of Isako is a completely fresh story set in a brand-new sci-fi world from Fonda Lee. I read her series The Green Bone Saga  a few years ago and was absolutely floored by it, so I couldn’t wait to dive into her next book.

Imagine a remote corporate settlement on a distant planet where traditional city or national borders don’t exist, only corporation lines and zones of control. Resources are scarce, and terraforming is tightly rationed based on your rank in the company and how well your division is hitting its goals. Once you’re no longer an asset, you’re “retired” and expected to walk willingly into the void.

“Sometimes, the winds shift so strongly that even the best pilot can’t hope to steer against them,”

Isako is an elite Atier, a corporate samurai. At fifty, she’s reached the end of her shelf life. She served her client honorably according to the Code, but her side just lost the latest corporate war. In a final twist, the rival company that defeated her has given her one last contract. With only a month left to live, Isako plans to follow the Code, earn a bonus for her daughter, and then fall on her proverbial sword.

What she discovers is a tangled mystery involving her former apprentice, Dragonfly Martim, and Sanbar Uchi, the powerful leader of SoCon GasPro. As an Atier, Isako is both sword and strategist—an elite advisor and executioner to her client. She was proud when Martim took on one of the most notorious clients in the system, but the corporate war kept them out of touch. Now she feels a deep obligation to solve his murder and stop Sanbar Uchi before he can be confirmed to the elite board that rules the entire terraforming community.

Isako is a character I deeply understand. She has lived by a strict code of conduct her entire life. The story asks a powerful question: what happens when the “religion” you’ve devoted yourself to begins to crack? What if you pull back the curtain and realize the life you built isn’t what you thought it was? Working again with her former partner Kob the Strikebreaker forces Isako to see the society she helped create, and the Agency Code she followed so faithfully, in a harsh new light. Kob has stepped outside the system entirely; he’s now badgeless, a Ronin. Together, they chase redemption for very different reasons, each hoping to save the other in the process.

She wanted to bring him back into the edge life; he wanted to bring her out. They tried to save each other. What a couple of idiots.

The pacing felt a little uneven. The story starts slowly as it introduces this complex world and the people who run it. (It definitely helps if you’ve worked in manufacturing or any high-pressure corporate environment and understand how KPIs and divisional goals can dominate your life.) There are a few solid action scenes, but this is primarily a mystery set in space settlement. About midway through, the perspective shifts from Isako to Martim, flashing back over the previous eighteen months to a pivotal moment. While it confirmed some of my suspicions, the switch pulled me out of Isako’s story for a while and left me feeling unexpectedly closer to Martim than I’d intended.

I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about the ending. This isn’t a happily-ever-after book. It’s the kind of story that leaves you thinking hard about the choices we make near the end of our lives. I wasn’t happy about everything that happened, but I was completely satisfied with Isako’s character arc and the final decision she makes.  This story is going to work for people who like a slower paced story that  focuses on characters and motivations.

[Hillary (abookishmarriage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the future claims too much from us.

Once again, Fonda Lee delivers a masterclass in fast-paced action, societal critique, and a singularly compelling protagonist. A lot of Lee's strengths are at play here: her action sequences always deliver, and her worldbuilding skills feel effortlessly woven into the action of the story.

Unlike the protagonists of the Green Bone Saga, Lee's heroine Isako is a loner, but the strongest moments come when she realizes she has something to fight for, as well as maybe someone.

I was impressed by not only the world-building but also the way Lee plays with storylines. A lot of authors would have done an alternating perspective style, and yet that's not what she does. However, even though there are major changes throughout the story, we never lose sight of the bigger picture.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 rounded up

I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed The Greenbone Saga so when I got the chance to read Fonda Lee's take on a cyberpunk samurai standalone I lept at the chance.

Given I didn't know much going in I was pleasantly surprised to find a protagonist who is middle aged or maybe a bit past. An old hero going back for one last mission always appeals to me and this is no different. And what a nice change of pace from the young protagonists we usually get in these books. She's at the top of her game but we don't know for how much longer, and as the book goes on we get filled in on everything that makes our protagonist tick. I was engrossed, but I had concerns that yeah this is a cool mystery with a cool protagonist I'm interested in reading about but what about the sci fi? Is it just window dressing for a story that could be told in almost any setting from Wild West to contemporary thriller? No it definitely is not. Part 2 of this book was a bold choice but a perfect one. It reignited my interest and gave me more than just the run of the mill story I thought I was getting. There were some choices and reveals here that kind of blew my mind and had me recontextualizing everything I had read. This is something I've noticed that I love and a lot of my favorite series and books do that.

The thing I think I need to sit with a little bit more is the third act and ending to this book. It's really not at all what I was expecting but I think what we got made sense. It's interesting to see in the afterword that it seems like Fonda Lee may have changed her mind about the resolution as well during the writing process. At the end of the day though I think I can say I'm on board with the choices she made and it makes sense given the context of what happens. Overall I'm very pleased with the ending and the book overall. I could see this being on my 2026 top 10.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Contract of Isako is my first true 5⭐️ read of the year and it deserves every single star. It's a gripping, twisty and mysterious space opera standalone with a story you won't find in another book. The Green Bone Saga made me a Fonda Lee fan but now she's on my list of all-time favorite authors.

I was intrigued from the first chapter; Isako being a legendary 50-yo badass samurai, the commentary on politics, society, survival, power hierarchy, capitalism, climate change, how they managed to advance technology and science was so interesting. All this with Fonda Lee's distinctive writing style and her clever plotting that will manage to shock you at every turn.

Her main character work is amazing. She doesn't write heroes or villains. She writes complex, nuanced and morally grey characters that you can't help but root for in the end. The dynamic between the characters is also really complicated and interesting. I loved our duo Isako and Kob they made for a badass pair. The fighting scenes were also exciting and after learning Fonda Lee was a martial artist herself I was like "this makes so much sense!"😂

At first you don't really know where the plot is going but you're just there for the ride. You keep reading because you WANT to know how this thing happened and when it's finally revealed and you see the bigger picture you're like there's no way😦The ending left me stunned😭leave it to Fonda Lee to NOT spare your feelings🫠but it was also a satisfying ending so all in all, bittersweet🥹

Also another thing I really liked was that it was dual POV but the way it switches between the two POVs and how they meet together was very interesting and made the story even more engaging.

If you're looking for a well-written, unique story that will grip you and surprise you then you've found it. Do I think it's a story that everyone will love? no but I highly recommend it if you're a hardcore fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian reader🫶🏼


Thank you Orbit and Little Brown Book Group UK for this advanced copy

[Janine Ballard]

In the author’s words:

My next novel, The Last Contract of Isako, is a cyberpunk samurai space opera (without the space) that I describe as what you’d get if Akira Kurosawa wrote Dune starring a 50-something give-no-fucks swordswoman on her last job, blended with vibes of Blade Runner plus a touch of John Wick.

https://www.fondalee.com/2023/03/anno...

The Last Contract of Isako is the cyberpunk samurai space opera that’s been percolating in my brain for years. It’s a science fiction mystery chanbara story set on a harsh Arrakis-style tundra planet but blend in Blade Runner vibes and a touch of John Wick. I’m very much looking forward to introducing readers to Isako.

https://www.orbitbooks.net/2023/03/01...

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most anticipated read turning out to be a disappointment 😭

The good:
- A dystopian world that was FASCINATING. This new space world had a lot of interesting social dynamics that instantly pulled me in. Having people off themselves once they are no longer useful is brutal but make so much sense when resources are scarce. The first 30% of this book was so promising because I wanted to learn so much more about this place.

The less good:
- I can tell there were hints of Fonda Lee's The Green Bone Saga genius in this book. The fighting by between organizations felt very familiar. There is the careful political maneuvers but everything felt subdued. Maybe because it is a standalone, but none of the dance steps hit the mark.
- The first 30% or so really sold me on the mystery of Martim but the investigation part quickly turned into a "point a to point b quest" without much mystery solving. I wish the missing person element could have been the focus.
- The structure of this book had major issues. The first 50% of the book and the next 40% of the book were two VERY different books. We follow two separate storyline and it ultimately stunted the growth of two characters. I would have liked to see isako grow through the entire book. Unfortunately, her arc only took up the first portion of the book and she wasn't given enough pages to show her full story.
- THE CHARACTERS UGH. It is sad that the best character is only in 10% of this book (no spoilers but think trees). The rest of the characters including our main character Isako just felt so flat. They were all workaholics, with crazy habits and cold exteriors. I miss seeing the softer side of characters. Everything felt so clinical, which felt true to Isako's character, but her character being only relevant for half of the story made her story end abruptly. The whole structure did none of the characters any favours.
- UGH the big reveal was a little too obvious. I was able to guess it so the rest of the book didn't quite hit.

Overall, a disappointing read that has a lot of potential in the fanfic space. I think there is so much we can dream up in this world, if we were given more books to develop the story.

[CadmanReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee back in 2011, and ever since then, she has been one of those authors whose new books immediately go on my most anticipated list. Because of that, The Last Contract of Isako was a book I had been looking forward to for a long time.

The premise alone grabbed me straight away. It’s a sci-fi thriller about a veteran bodyguard taking one last mission in a corporate-controlled space colony, where political schemes and hidden motives slowly turn what should have been a routine assignment into something far bigger and far more dangerous. The whole concept has strong cyberpunk energy. Corporations run everything, there are definite Blade Runner vibes, and the Contractors themselves feel almost like samurai in space.

What really made the book stand out to me was its focus on aging characters and legacy. In a genre that so often follows young heroes discovering their destiny, it was refreshing to follow someone near the end of a long career. Isako is looking back over decades of service and asking difficult questions about the life she has lived. How far should loyalty to a contract go? Do the rules she has always followed still make sense? What kind of legacy do you leave after a lifetime of service?

I also loved the master-apprentice dynamics and the themes of honor, justice, and responsibility that run through those relationships. The story is a slow burn, but completely worth it. I trusted the author the whole way through, and the mystery and twists land perfectly.

I will definitely be picking up an inevitable special edition or two when released.
They will sit very nicely with my growing collection of books by this amazing author.

[Iffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 stars! This was such a highly anticipated read for me because I absolutely ADORE Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga. There are parts of this book that I had a wonderful time with and parts that didn’t quite work for me.

Things I loved: an older FMC who is a badass but also very in touch with her emotions, matured relationships between characters, a few surprising twists, overall writing style, an intriguing plot line.

Things that didn’t work for me: world building was a bit clunky and some of it was revealed at the end and it would have been helpful to know from the beginning, the pacing and overall structure of the story felt off, and the ending was not satisfying.

This was a very zoomed-in story in a really massive world and I wish we got a more zoomed-out picture.

In the acknowledgements Fonda Lee says she last minute changed the structure and the ending so I wonder if I would’ve liked the original better!

Overall, I did enjoy it but I definitely liked the Green Bone books more!