I started reading this series not really knowing what to expect. After the first volume, I began downloading all the scanlations available and devoured 20 volumes of Basara as quickly as I could. Then I went back to the beginning and read it again. The story FAR exceeded my expectations and has quickly bumped all other romance mangas down several pegs in comparison.
Though you might not like the art at first, I swear it grows on you. By now, I can't imagine Basara drawn any other way; the artist's etherial style is perfect for portraying the intense emotions, the sexy boys and the landscape. Somehow, she is able to make the desert exude both romance and desolation.
You might think that 27 volumes means that the storyline becomes drawn out, repetitive and tedious, but that's far from true. The mangaka has paced the story very well and there are no unnecessary filler chapters in Basara. In fact, I wish the story was twice as long! The battle scenes are just long enough (they don't drag on and on), you get just enough romance (though I wouldn't mind even more Shuri/Sarasa interactions!) and you quickly get a good feel for the very dimensional supporting characters, numerous though they may be.
The romance between the Red King Shuri and the Child of Destiny Sarasa is so poignant and emotional, you can't help but get invested in it, even though you just know it'll result in tragedy when they find out each others' true identities. (And their reactions to this climactic discovery is absolutely heart-rending.) Though their relationship is only made up of several casual encounters and a few letters, this is no shallow love they experience.
Sarasa is the most amazing female heroine I've ever read. Truly brave, ingenious and caring, she also suffers from human weaknesses, like self-doubt and taking too much upon herself. Shuri...well, you wonder how these two can ever love each other after the big reveal, since he starts out as such a violent and, no other word for it, evil man. He undergoes the most character development in the story. However, I think Ageha, the male cross-dressing ex-slave turned dancer is my absolute favorite character, haha.
I've never fallen so much in love with a series. Everyone should give it a try, especially if you're a fan of "forbidden" or tragic love, comedy and epic historical adventures. Though the summary might lead you to believe you're setting yourself up for a world of heartache, don't worry, Basara is still a romance story, so expect a happy ending.