Recent fantasy reads

[starlady]

Tim Powers, On Stranger Tides.

Elizabeth Bear, By the Mountain Bound.

Catherynne M. Valente, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

(All links go back to the reviews at my journal. I generally don't spoil.) Anyone else read these? What did you think? In particular, I'd love someone to explain to me just what the heck people love about Tim Powers, as I more or less can't stand his books. (I should mention that On Stranger Tides was recently optioned for the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.)