LuckyTrouble on 07 February 2016
Start with Awakening or just get Fates. Stories aren't really super related between the games. I think a few are direct sequels, but Fates and Awakening are not those games. That said, both have an easier no perma-death mode so that you can play more comfortably. Honestly, it's probably the inclusion of the easier no perma-death difficulty that rocketed Fire Emblem from niche to well known series in the space of one game after decades.
Personally, I thought Awakening was a little too easy even with perma-death going, but maybe Fates will be a touch more difficult.
