not a bad semi-upgrade to the Beginner Magic Manual, if you can handle a 15 HP drop in the switch from that to this. The SV fire alone would make me switch to this, and the extra raw mana topped with the +2 to INT/WIS over the Manual make this one superior easily. At lvl 50 the 2 INT = 20 Mana, so that is an extra 30 mana. Not so bad, if I say so myself. Which I do =)
If you want to be a stickler about the HP loss, just put an HP aug in it. You'll still have an extra slot to put maybe an INT, WIS, or just a raw mana aug and it gets even BETTERER (teehee) than the Manual. I see myself saving my points to get this baby. It'll last quite a while, I don't think I'm going to be killing Vhaksiz the Shade for quite a while.