Reading two historical fantasy novels at once, that’s what. At least not when one gets everything so perfectly right that you’re left wondering if maybe there is a bit more than moving airmasses behind the storm that sank the Spanish Armada, while the other has a Regency gentleman exclaiming “Gee” (not to his horse) and forgets to put the second i in aluminium.
(The former book is Marie Brennan’s Midnight Never Come.) They’re quite different in tone; the second is more of a fun romp while the former is a political intrigue involving two mirrored Courts.. The counterpoint didn’t actually help either one.
I try to stay away from reading genre books at the same time, just for the reasons you’ve outlined.
Thanks for your letter. You’re a good and thoughtful (in all meanings) friend. ~LA