The Last Contract of Isako, by Fonda Lee

The Last Contract of Isako is a standalone dystopian science-fiction novel, written by Fonda Lee and published by Orbit Books. A sharp and well-executed story that takes some thriller elements to weave a corporate samurai plot, which is used as an excuse to examine the consequences of the system established over the planet and how it influences the decisions of our characters, with a fair dose of thriller elements.

A novel that follows Isako, a legendary swordswoman in her 50s on a last contract after long-time client unexpectedly retires; she can't refuse the offer from a competitor if she wants to secure the future of her daughter. However, this mission will take her to the heart of the Company that controls this inhospitable planet, and becomes even personal when the investigation points toward a former apprentice; a journey that will also reveal more secrets about how this planet is governed and about how the system is rigged against certain people, even making the own Isako to rethink about her own decisions.

At the core of the plot, we have our own Isako trying to solve what eventually becomes a murder mystery, which, at the same time, makes an excellent job at demonstrating how the Company actually works. I found refreshing to have a main character like Isako, not only because we have an older female main character, but somebody that is actually competent even if her best years have already passed; it also reflects how age expectations can become a heavy slab to carry.
The introduction of a second POV towards the middle of the book also helps to give a new spark to the narrative, and it starts to answer some of those questions that we already got during Isako's chapters.

The pacing is slower than I would have expected from the premise, putting more emphasis on the mystery than on action scenes, which are few but extremely well written. At the end, the dystopian situation of Aquilo, the planet, and the company, serves as an excuse to analyze the consequences of an extreme capitalistic system combined with really rigid system that prioritizes the supposed well-being of the people over the dreams and hopes of the individual.

Overall, The Last Contract of Isako is a really enjoyable novel, a space opera with dystopian elements that you will enjoy if you like murder mysteries with a side of political intrigue; a well-executed idea by Fonda Lee.