I won’t say the basics of the story are new because they aren’t. It’s a guy that has a special talent and meets with who is in effect his opposite. Even as underdogs with everything against them they come out on top. There isn’t anything new or special there. That said, I very much enjoyed the book and like that the main character isn’t some under powered or just doesn’t know it yet wizard that by the end is the greatest the world has ever seen. I also liked that with enough brains and cleverness he can overcome magic. It’s a cool idea and even if not new the story is good too. It’s worth the listen.