Agree with your breakdown—it’s one of the most balanced takes on “the slog” I’ve seen. Book 6 sets such a high bar that anything after feels like a comedown, even if the quality is still solid. I think a lot of readers go in expecting non-stop momentum, and the slower, more fragmented pace of books 7–10 catches them off guard. Perrin’s arc especially dragged for me, and I’ll admit I nearly gave up during Crossroads of Twilight. But like you said, there is the payoff—book 11 ties things together and makes the wait worth it. And when Sanderson takes over? Game changer. The energy picks up, and the endgame is finally in motion.

Great review.

I love her.

I can totally understand where you're coming from. It’s definitely a different experience when you read the series continuously without waiting for the next book to come out. The middle books, especially book 10, can feel like they drag on a bit. The lack of major changes or action in that book, combined with the focus on slower plotlines and character development, can make it feel like a slog, even though it’s really about setting up future events. But I think the payoff in the later books makes the slower parts feel worth it. If you can push through the slower moments, the series really picks up momentum again!