Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, and Cara track down the evil Mord'Sith Denna, who took the compass needed to find the Stone of Tears. But Denna eludes them and escapes with a captive Zedd. In pursuit, Richard is suddenly crippled by a series of debilitating headaches, after which he encounters members of an order of women known as the Sisters of the Light. They reveal Richard must immediately abandon his mission to rescue Zedd and instead begin a dangerous life-changing journey, or the mysterious headaches will kill him.

Trapped in the deadly Valley of Perdition, Richard's worst fears come magically to life and threaten to kill him. Enduring powerful and disturbing visions about those he holds dear, Richard is forced to make gut-wrenching choices that test his will, tempt his sense of right and wrong, and take him to the brink of death. Meanwhile, the world's most powerful sorceress, Sister Nicci, plots to murder Kahlan, who leads Zedd, Cara and the new Seeker, Leo, on a quest to find Richard. During their long journey, Cara's deepening feelings for Leo bring her to an emotional crossroads.