Guards! Guards! vs Mort vs Small Gods: Which Discworld Book Should You Start With?
Can't decide between the three most recommended Discworld starting points? This head-to-head comparison helps you pick the perfect first book based on what you love to read.
Guards! Guards! vs Mort vs Small Gods: Which Should You Start With?
You've done your research. You know not to start with The Colour of Magic. You've narrowed it down to the three books every Discworld fan recommends: Guards! Guards!, Mort, and Small Gods.
But now you're stuck. Three books. Three very different experiences. One decision that feels way too important.
Here's the thing: you can't go wrong with any of them. But you can go more right by picking the one that matches how you like to read. Let's figure out which one that is.
The Quick Answer
No time to read the full breakdown? Here's the cheat sheet:
| If you love... | Start with... |
|---|---|
| Crime fiction, underdogs, ensemble casts | Guards! Guards! |
| Philosophy, unique characters, emotional depth | Mort |
| Standalone stories, religious satire, making you think | Small Gods |
| Character arcs that span multiple books | Guards! Guards! |
| The idea of Death as a character | Mort |
| Not committing to a series yet | Small Gods |
Still not sure? Let's dig deeper.
Guards! Guards!
The Premise
A secret society summons a dragon to overthrow the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork. Standing in their way is the Night Watch—the city's most underfunded, underrespected, and understaffed police force. Led by the perpetually drunk Captain Sam Vimes, they're about to accidentally become heroes.
What Makes It Special
Guards! Guards! is Pratchett doing noir detective fiction in a fantasy setting. It's Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets The Lord of the Rings, with a dash of genuine social commentary about power, corruption, and what makes someone a hero.
But the real magic is Sam Vimes. He starts as a cynical alcoholic who's given up on everything, including himself. Over the course of eight books, he becomes one of fantasy's greatest characters. This is where that journey begins.
The Pros
- Ankh-Morpork: Introduces Discworld's greatest city in all its grimy glory
- Ensemble cast: The Watch members are instantly lovable
- Plot-driven: Clear mystery with satisfying resolution
- Series potential: Seven more Watch books if you love it
- Accessible humor: Less reliant on fantasy parodies than early books
The Cons
- Slower start: Takes a few chapters to find its rhythm
- Less philosophical: More focused on plot than Big Ideas
- Commitment implied: You'll want to read the sequels
Perfect For
Readers who love crime fiction, workplace comedies, found-family dynamics, or underdog stories. If you've ever rooted for the little guy fighting against a corrupt system, this is your book.
Mort
The Premise
Death—the anthropomorphic personification, skeleton, scythe, the whole package—takes on an apprentice. Mort is an awkward teenager who's not good at much, but he's earnest. When Death takes a holiday and leaves Mort in charge, things go predictably wrong. Mort saves a princess who was supposed to die, and reality itself starts to unravel.
What Makes It Special
Mort is where Pratchett's writing clicks into place. The humor is sharper, the characters deeper, and there's genuine emotional weight. Death himself becomes one of literature's most unexpectedly sympathetic characters—a cosmic entity trying to understand humanity by adopting a cat, eating curry, and getting drunk.
The book asks big questions about fate, free will, and whether one person can change the world. It answers them with a pie fight.
The Pros
- Death: One of Discworld's most beloved characters at his best
- Philosophical depth: Explores mortality without being morbid
- Emotional resonance: The ending actually makes you feel things
- Tight plot: No filler, every scene matters
- Great entry point: Pratchett's writing has matured significantly
The Cons
- Fewer characters: Smaller cast than Guards! Guards!
- Less world-building: Focused setting, less exploration of the Disc
- Sequels vary: The Death series isn't as consistent as the Watch
Perfect For
Readers who love philosophical fiction, unusual protagonists, coming-of-age stories, or anything by Neil Gaiman. If you enjoyed The Good Place or want fantasy that makes you think while you laugh, start here.
Small Gods
The Premise
The Great God Om—worshipped by millions in the theocratic nation of Omnia—wakes up one day to discover he's been reduced to a tortoise. Turns out, people have been worshipping the idea of Om, the institution of the Church, rather than Om himself. He has exactly one true believer left: Brutha, a simple novice with a perfect memory and absolutely no ambition.
Together, an angry tortoise-god and a naive monk must navigate religious politics, inquisitions, and an impending holy war.
What Makes It Special
Small Gods is Pratchett at his most incisive. It's a brilliant satire of organized religion that somehow manages to respect genuine faith. The book skewers religious institutions, blind obedience, and the corruption of power—while celebrating the simple, honest belief of people like Brutha.
It's also completely standalone. No sequels. No required reading. Just one perfect book.
The Pros
- 100% standalone: No commitment, no sequels to worry about
- Pratchett's best writing: Many fans consider this his masterpiece
- Thematically rich: Has something to say about faith, doubt, and power
- Timeless relevance: Religious satire that never feels dated
- The ending: One of the most beautiful conclusions in the series
The Cons
- Different setting: Omnia, not Ankh-Morpork—less "typical" Discworld
- Fewer recurring characters: You won't see these people again
- More serious tone: Still funny, but weightier than other books
- No series: If you love it, there's no direct follow-up
Perfect For
Readers who love literary fiction, religious satire, or books with something to say. If you enjoyed Life of Pi, Candide, or anything by Douglas Adams, Small Gods will feel like coming home.
Our Recommendation
If you're truly stuck and need someone to just tell you what to do:
Start with Guards! Guards!.
Here's why: It has the broadest appeal. You get Ankh-Morpork, you get an ensemble cast, you get a mystery plot that keeps you turning pages. And if you love it, you have seven more books with these characters.
Mort is arguably the better single book, and Small Gods is arguably Pratchett's masterpiece. But Guards! Guards! is the most reliable first step into a larger world.
That said—if one of the other two is calling to you, trust that instinct. The best Discworld starting point is the one you actually pick up and read.
What Comes Next
Whichever book you choose, here's where to go after:
The Final Word
Here's what matters: all three of these books are excellent. You're not choosing between good and bad—you're choosing between different kinds of great.
Guards! Guards! gives you the most Discworld per page. Mort gives you the most heart. Small Gods gives you the most to think about.
Pick one. Read it. Come back for the others.
The turtle moves—and now, so should you.
Need more guidance? Check out our complete Where to Start with Discworld guide, or learn about whether you should skip The Colour of Magic.
