I was torn giving the overall rating for this one 'coz really, it completely depends on the reader's interpretation of shoujo, as to whether they'll be left bemused with the overly maudlin storyline or whether they'll greedily gobble up the gorgeous artwork and the smut that accompanies it. I fall in the latter category.

I think the mangaka may have attempted to make this story a one shot right off the bat, so she introduced us to the duplicity of the hero, Shoei as a delinquent by night but straight laced prince by day character. Then she thought, hmm this has potential, and she went ahead to make a couple of volumes, so she gave the two leads a past, which is verrrry slowly dissected and not made completely clear right until the end of the seventh volume! That's good storytelling undoubtedly, but it also leaves the reader very confused during lots of plots. Then along the way, she thought, this childhood destined lovers bit is getting old, so she added every other bathetic element that springs to mind... incest, sister complexes, abandoned heirs, past love affairs, elopement... you name it! Of course, all of it is done thoroughly and with clear character development, so none of it seems abrupt while you're reading it, but when you think back to the beginning, you realize, whaaa... how the heck did it turn out like this?!

Let's start out with the leads, Mio and Shoie. Mio may have started out as the ingénue completely lacking in backbone and sexual restraint once aroused, but she learns from her mistakes and soon develops a sense of conviction and stands up for herself on numerous occasions against Shoei which is admirable, considering the very obvious pull he exerts on her. She is also a very responsible daughter, working her butt off to pay off the family's unending bills and ensuring her younger brother doesn't have to work and can concentrate on schoolwork. She loves her family very much and regularly visits her mother in the hospital and even agrees so work (and continue working) at Shoei's estate simply because her mother emotionally blackmails her into it both times! But relenting into such wishes never makes her appear weak willed, only devoted to her family. She is also resourceful and determined when the occasion calls for it, and takes any job she's handed very seriously, including disciplining Shoei... No time for hanky panky on the job!

Shoei, though a bit stereotypical in his behaving cruelly towards the heroine from time to time for no apparent fault of hers, is also portrayed as a complex mixture of tenacious lead, fiercely possessive lover and formidable foe whenever opposed or challenged. It is an arduous task for naive Mio to keep up with his constant mood swings where he shifts between attacking her from one moment to confessing his childhood love for her to heartlessly treating her like the maid she works as at the Jinnai house. He is also given to ignoring her ruthlessly and taking a nonchalant attitude with very often, especially after some particularly intense exchange between them. It makes for interesting plotlines, but you end up wanting to punch him in his beautiful face frequently! He is clearly sexually competent and never hesitates to prove just how much to Mio which takes her unawares more often than not.

Lots of supporting characters are introduced right at the start with each playing a significant role from start to finish, which again makes you wonder whether the convoluted storyline was originally intended or the characters just happened to weasel their way around to it. You can never completely peg down a character to play the good guy or the villain, so it's always unpredictable and surprising, the twists they become part of.

There is no unnecessary weeping from the heroine's side, though there is relevant internal monologue. But that serves to strengthen the somewhat tempestuous relationships she develops with various characters. Shoei lives up to his carelessly authoritative role with dry quips now and then interspersed with thinly veiled commands which Mio gives into despite herself. Some of the dialogue is unexpectedly racy and humorous at the same time, while avoids being completely clichéd due to timely appearance of certain characters during intimate scenes. There is no outright comedy, but it's made up for by the rib tickling expressions and poses.

The artwork is deliciously detailed and evidently painstaking, though clean. There's none of the chibi crap which can ruin romance settings so often, but there are exaggerated facials which lend a scene levity. The smut was exciting at most places, though its appearance can generally be well predicted by experienced shoujo readers. The romance builds up steadily, and it's not just a girl falling in lust with an asinine dominating character and confusing it with love after considerable abuse has been inflicted on her.

Overall Desire Climax isn't a story you'll remember the next day, but it's one with high rereadability potential none the less, because it takes the reader on a whirlwind journey just when you think you've settled into a nice groove with the plot. While it's clearly intended for shoujo and drama readers, none of it makes you despise a character or thumb your nose at the storyline, so it's not something you'll tire of midway and abandon.