The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Author : Fonda Lee

Book : The Last Contract of Isako

/ Sci-fi ,Fantasy/

Publication date : May 5, 2026

---

Blurb:

Isako is a legendary swordswoman, but every legend has to 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 legacy. But when a competitor offers her a final mission, it's one she can't refuse. Soon, she's thrust deep into a world of corporate espionage, duty-bound duels, and shadowy secrets. What she uncovers will change humanity's existence in the stars forever.

My thoughts:

The Last Contract of Isako is my first Fonda Lee book, and I went into it blindly, without knowing what I was getting into. A harsh and ruthless setting built with so much imagination, from the political layers and plotting to the uninhabitable world where every person must give their due in order for them to survive and sustain everything around. A splendid mashup of a cutthroat dystopian universe with samurai elements woven into the role of atiers, using their blades and work code, and I loved it. Our protagonist, Isako, is the notorious atier known as Quickblade. When her client, with whom she has an exclusive contract, decides to retire and go outside to the frozen vastness, she wants to follow. Unfortunately, retirement is out of reach when her contract has been handed to a rival, and she is dragged into one last job that will most certainly cost her her life. The slow-paced mystery solving creates an absolutely suffocating and heavy atmosphere that I couldn't tear myself away from, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters in a world with no room for mistakes keep you on the edge of your seat. Kob was undoubtedly my favourite character, with his grounding and steady presence in any situation, and the life he created for himself was both heartwarming and intriguing. Furthermore, the partnership they share with Isako is like a tiny beautiful thing in this cruel world they must endure. I loved how the plot threw a few curveballs along the way that made me think, 'Wait?! What?!", and it solidified how merciless everything is, prompting questions about your own moral compass and whether one even exists in such a storm. I enjoyed this book very much, and I am definitely turning my eyes towards The Green Bone Saga.