Knife of Dreams was published by Tor Books in 2005, the last Wheel of Time novel written entirely by Robert Jordan before his death from cardiac amyloidosis in 2007. The novel is a deliberate course correction: after the criticized pacing of the previous two volumes, Jordan resolves multiple long-running storylines with decisive action. Perrin rescues Faile from the Shaido. Mat formally marries Tuon. Elayne secures the throne of Andor. Egwene is captured by the White Tower but uses her imprisonment to undermine Elaida from within.
The novel’s acceleration suggested that Jordan was aware of his declining health and determined to advance the plot toward the conclusion he had planned. He left extensive notes, recordings, and a completed final chapter (the epilogue of A Memory of Light) before his death.
Jordan’s Last Solo Novel
The knowledge that this is Jordan’s final complete contribution to the series gives it a valedictory quality. Readers who had followed the series for fifteen years recognised the deliberate urgency: plots that had simmered for three or four volumes resolved in quick succession. The novel reads as both a creative triumph and a farewell.
Egwene in the Tower
Egwene’s imprisonment in the White Tower — and her systematic campaign to undermine the usurper Elaida by demonstrating greater courage, composure, and leadership than the sitting Amyrlin — is widely considered the series’ best political storyline. Egwene, who began the series as a village girl, becomes the most politically astute character in the entire saga.
Collecting Knife of Dreams
First edition (Tor Books, New York, 2005): Boards with dust jacket.
Approximate market values:
- Fine in dust jacket (first printing): $30–$75
- Signed first edition: $100–$300
As Jordan’s last solo novel, signed copies are appreciating steadily.
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate to strong appreciation, driven by its status as Jordan’s final complete work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a return to form? Emphatically yes. After the pacing criticisms of volumes eight through ten, Knife of Dreams resolves multiple storylines and moves at the fastest pace since The Shadow Rising.
Did Jordan know he was dying when he wrote this? He was diagnosed with amyloidosis in late 2006, after publication. But he may have suspected declining health — the novel’s urgency is palpable.