The plot is simple and built of two independent plot lines with one start crosspoint and a finish one with a classic victory of Good over Evil. By all canons it comes out standard. But authors found their own way in developing this standard. The novel starts with some ununderstandable disparities of characters' activities. It seems the authors were not able to find a better way to start the plot.
Narration also begins slack.
But so happens, from chapter to chapter the plot becomes stronger and more logical and short- comings vanish. Magic is alive. They don't rule the world, just exist and research. Very seldom new talented magicians appear and become students of old ones. He came to study Magic to the most powerful magician Lart.