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, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space Opera, Space

Audible Audio

Expected publication 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

[ଘRory]

_OMG 📢WE HAVE A COVER 🥶❤️.

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

[richa ⋆.˚★]

I will read anything by Fonda Lee 😌

[Youssra (semi ia)]

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

[bee (on and off)]

WE HAVE A COVER!!

prepare to be sick of me when this comes out

[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

[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.

[Lance]

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

[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...

[hailee]

FONDA I AM SO SEATED

[M was M]

Emily Fox 2025 TBR 🦊

[Cat]

unfollow me now this is the only thing i'll be talking about until 2025

[clicktojointhemafia]

i am s simple girl: fonda lee writes, i read.

[Ellen Gail]

You're telling me this is a standalone space opera, featuring corporate samurai, IN SPACE!?



I am ready to pounce on this the day it's published like a 4am Black Friday shopper.

[kaylyn]

umm omg? i'll be insufferable when this comes out.

[Stella]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maëlys]

corporate samurai in space goes so hard???????

[Cendaquenta]

I am not joking when I say the release of this book may be what motivates me to keep living

[Sandy]

sci fi samurai book by fonda lee?!!! i need it

[read with kath ✿]

i’ve been STARVING for a good asian fantasy, and Fonda Lee announcing a new book is exactly the chaos i needed!!!

[Alex Powell]

"Holy fuck, holy shit, fuck. What? Samurai Space Opera about late-stage capitalism!? Fuck! What!?" - me, 45 seconds ago upon first seeing the plot teaser of this on her socials.

[Veronica]

I’m not a sci-fi girlie but for Fonda Lee I will be 🫡

[BookManiac]

Cyberpunk space opera by Fonda Lee with samurai influence as well? Why would I not read it???

[Amanda Krutsick]

fonda lee adult sci-fi? critique of capitalism?? sign me the fuck up!

[anika]

fonda lee, you still owe me therapy

[Ismat]

CYBERPUNK BY FONDA LEE!! HELL YEAH

[star ✧]

FONDA LEE'S ADULT SCIFI BOOK??????

[Hannah]

NEW FONDA LEE?? HELLO? preparing to be devastated🤭

[Paper Thoughts]

Listen, I'm not a big sci-fi fan but I am a big Fonda Lee fan so I'll be ready for this release.

[채lynn]

WRITTEN BY FONDA LEE? SAY LESS!

[Anjerie]

"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."

EXCUSE ME!??