I read this some years ago, and was very impressed. The writing is way above the usual standards in fantasy, the characters are strange and the story both weird and wonderful. The pov is that of a young executioner who is sent out into the world to use his skills as intended. Along the way he arouses passions and desires for vengeance, has quite a lot of rather sinister sex and is caught up in an apocalypse in which he finds himself playing a leading role. Or so he thinks. The reader may be less certain. Wolfe is a Christian of deep faith, but you don't have to share this to appreciate the book.