It's always impressive to me when someone makes it through the slog that was books 4-8. Books 10-12 really pick up the pace again. I believe that's when Sanderson took over for the late Robert Jordan.
If you enjoy somewhat grittier fiction, I would suggest Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy.
> I would suggest Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy
Agree - I really enjoyed this. I particularly liked that many of the characters who would traditionally be the bad guys are treated sympathetically, and their 'badness' is motivated by their personal circumstance and experience. This is in contrast to the somewhat cliched representation in many stories (fantasy or otherwise) of the bad guys who are evil just because the plot demands it.
If you enjoy somewhat grittier fiction, I would suggest Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy.