Book Series Guide
Fonda Lee

Author guide

Fonda Lee Books in Order

Fonda Lee is an award-winning Canadian-American author whose work spans young adult science fiction, adult fantasy, and science fiction. She is best known for the Green Bone Saga, and is also the author of the Exo duology, Zeroboxer, Untethered Sky, and The Last Contract of Isako. She co-writes the Breathmarked young adult fantasy series with Shannon Lee. Her honors include the World Fantasy Award, Locus Award, and multiple Aurora Awards.

science fictionfantasyyoung adult fiction

Catalog record updated .

Fonda Lee's Newest Book

Cover of The Last Contract of Isako

The Last Contract of Isako

novel · First published 2026

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 all: 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.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

Cover of Jade City

Jade City

The beginning of the main Green Bone Saga trilogy.

Cover of Zeroboxer

Zeroboxer

A standalone young adult science-fiction novel and Lee's debut.

Cover of Breath of the Dragon

Breath of the Dragon

The first book in the co-written Breathmarked fantasy series.

Cover of The Last Contract of Isako

The Last Contract of Isako

A standalone adult science-fiction novel.

Read in order

Books by series

duology · complete

Exo

A young adult science-fiction duology.

Series guide →
  1. 1
    Exo

    Book 1 · novel · 2017

    "For a century now, Earth has been a peaceful colony of an alien race, and Donovan Reyes is a loyal member of the security forces, while his father is the Prime Liaison--but when a routine search and seizure goes bad Donovan finds himself…

  2. 2
    Cross Fire

    Book 2 · novel · 2018

    Earth's century of peace as a colony of an alien race has been shattered. As the alien-run government navigates peace talks with the human terrorist group Sapience, Donovan tries to put his life back together and return to his duty as a…

series · complete

The Green Bone Saga

An adult fantasy series comprising a trilogy, a prequel novella, and a collection of prequel stories.

Series guide →
  1. 1
    Jade City

    Book 1 · novel · 2017

    "Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island…

  2. 2
    Jade War

    Book 2 · novel · 2019

    On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of…

  3. 3
    Jade Legacy

    Book 3 · novel · 2021

    "Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such…

  4. 4
    The Jade Setter of Janloon

    Book 4 · novella · 2022 Optional

    Fonda Lee returns to the world of the Green Bone Saga with a new standalone novella. The rapidly changing city of Janloon is ruled by jade, the rare and ancient substance that enhances the abilities and status of the trained Green Bone…

  5. 5
    Jade Shards

    Book 5 · short-story-collection · 2023 Optional

    Fonda Lee returns to the acclaimed Green Bone Saga with four prequel short stories that delve into the personal histories of the Kaul and Ayt families. The Witch and Her Friend. Before she was the ruthless leader of the Mountain clan, Ayt…

duology · ongoing

Breathmarked

A young adult fantasy series co-written with Shannon Lee and inspired by Bruce Lee's life, writings, and philosophy.

Series guide →
  1. 1
    Breath of the Dragon

    Book 1 · novel · 2025

    A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves. Sixteen-year-old Jun dreams of proving his worth as a warrior in the elite Guardian’s…

Outside the series

Bibliography by category

Novels (3)
  1. Zeroboxer

    novel · 2015

    "As seventeen-year-old Carr 'the Raptor' Luka rises to fame in the weightless combat sport of zeroboxing, he learns a devastating secret that jeopardizes not only his future in the sport, but interplanetary relations"--

  2. Untethered Sky

    novella · 2023

    Ester’s family was torn apart when a manticore killed her mother and baby brother, leaving her with nothing but her father’s painful silence and a single, overwhelming need to kill the monsters that took her family. Ester’s path leads her…

  3. The Last Contract of Isako

    novel · 2026

    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…

Frequently asked questions about Fonda Lee

What is Fonda Lee’s cultural and national background?

Fonda Lee is a dual Canadian-American citizen who hails from Canada and the Pacific Northwest. She has also described herself as a second-generation Asian American who draws on both Western and Asian storytelling traditions.

Sources: fondalee.com (opens in a new tab)lightspeedmagazine.com (opens in a new tab)

What did Fonda Lee do before becoming a full-time author?

She worked as a corporate strategist and is a black belt martial artist before building her career as a full-time writer.

Source: fondalee.com (opens in a new tab)

How has martial arts influenced Fonda Lee’s writing?

Lee says her long-term martial-arts practice influences the stories she tells and helps her visualize fight sequences, making action scenes among the easiest parts for her to write.

Source: libraryjournal.com (opens in a new tab)

Which writers and stories have influenced Fonda Lee?

She has cited Octavia Butler and Neil Gaiman as inspirations. She has also said that The Godfather, along with kung-fu films, Hong Kong crime dramas, and wuxia comics, shaped her approach to family-centered and cross-cultural storytelling.

Sources: libraryjournal.com (opens in a new tab)lightspeedmagazine.com (opens in a new tab)

What awards has Fonda Lee won, and what is her legacy in speculative fiction?

Lee has won the World Fantasy Award and Locus Award and is a six-time Aurora Award winner. Her work has reached an international audience, with the Green Bone Saga translated into fifteen languages and Jade City named one of TIME’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time.

Sources: fondalee.com (opens in a new tab)hachettebookgroup.com (opens in a new tab)