I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee Published by Orbit on May 5 2026
Genres: Fantasy
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads
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.
I put Fonda Lee on my insta-buy list as soon as I read Jade City. That should give an idea of how big a fan I am of Fonda Lee’s work. Getting an eARC to Last Contract of Isako was a dream come true and I jumped in enthusiastically.
Initially, I loved the premise. Space opera with an unconventional heroine? Count me in! I was very intrigued to read from the perspective of an older female character, someone who has seen her fair share of the world. I was also hoping for some political intrigue, what with the hint of espionage in the premise.
But I really struggled with the first half of the book. Simply put, it dragged. I felt very detached and there was quite a bit of info-dumping (my personal pet peeve). Perhaps the author meant for the story to feel like this. And while that is brilliant as a concept, it failed for me in execution. It was hard to connect to Isako and I was bored.
The second half, however, gave me everything I was hoping for. With the perspective of a new character, I got the political intrigue, the fast pace, and the high stakes I was looking for. I started appreciating the relationships between different characters, and it became less important for me to relate to Isako. The ending also took me by surprise; I was satisfied with the way Lee approached it. .
If I had to describe this book to someone, I would say it is a mature read. This is a reflective tale so readers expecting to be on the edge of their seat should be warned. Overall, I still feel Lee is an author to watch – and I’m still interested in reading more of her work in the future.
