The prologue to Knife of Dreams, entitled "Embers Falling on Dry Grass", was sold by the Scribner imprint of Simon & Schuster as an ebook on July 22, 2005, three months before the publication of the book itself.

Unusual Trolloc attacks, the dead walking, ripples in the fabric of the world and other events seem to indicate that the Last Battle is drawing near; several characters using different evidence confidently state that Tarmon Gai'don is close at hand.

After a series of debates, Tuon marries Mat, giving him the Seanchan title 'Prince of the Ravens' ostensibly to assure a marriage of convenience.

Thereafter, Tuon returns to Ebou Dar to destroy the treacherous High Lady Suroth and assume command proper of the Seanchan.

In the ensuing battle, Semirhage is captured at the cost of Rand's own left hand and reveals that his mental disorder, which allows him to communicate with his past self, is almost universally fatal.

Sevanna is captured and the Shaido, defeated and disgraced, are led by Therava back to the Aiel Waste, with the Black Sister Galina Casban in tow.