Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett

For those attempting to tackle Pratchett’s enormous Discworld oeuvre who are unsure where to begin, try Small Gods! It follows Brutha, the slow but well-meaning Chosen One of the Great God Om, on a mission to prevent a holy war between the rigid theocracy of Omnia and its laid-back philosophical neighbor, Ephebe. The least of Brutha’s problems is that Om is trapped in the body of a tortoise and can’t persuade anyone to do as he says. Beloved by die-hard fans and casual readers alike, the novel takes on religion, ethics, and belief in Pratchett’s classic irreverent style.