For This Very Purpose by E. J. Ashmore

For This Very Purpose by E. J. Ashmore
Series: Wilderness Series Book 1 of 2
Publisher: Winged Publications (October 15, 2025)

REVIEW BY MAE CLAIR

I’ve read several fictional accounts of God’s plagues on Egypt and the Hebrew Exodus, but this may just be my favorite. The perspectives come from two fictional, rather than Biblical characters—Eliza, a Hebrew slave, and Seti, a wealthy, young Egyptian in training to be a temple priest.

At the start of the story, Eliza is enslaved to Seti’s family, along with her younger sister, Miera. While she has long been enamored of him, she’s beneath his notice, unless it’s to ridicule her in front of his friends. While there is a love story between the two, the real love story (as it says in the blurb) is between God and His people, plus God and Seti. Even the thread between Eliza and Seti is not typically romantic, but also of a spiritual nature as it develops gradually and believably.

All ten plagues on Egypt are addressed and explored, many in detail. The reader witnesses them from the POVs of Eliza or Seti as they occur, rather than Moshe/Moses, Aharon/Aaron, or Pharaoh, all of whom appear in the book. Even Hoshea/Joshua gets page time.

The supporting cast—especially Seti’s father, his close friend, Sabu, and Eliza’s sister, Miera are also fleshed out, while the two leads, Eliza and Seti, are superb. Eliza is a girl of principals and faith, hoping for a better life, despite her position as a household slave. Seti, while spoiled and cocky at the start, matures into a young man of strength and virtue.

As a reader, I found God’s pursuit of Seti the most powerful element of the book. Seti doesn’t come quietly to the “God of the Hebrews.” He questions, challenges, and finds himself trapped between the long-held beliefs of his ancestors and the God Eliza tells him about. As he witnesses each of Egypt’s gods topple to the plagues, he’s no longer able to deny the supremacy of the One God who created all. 

As he tells his father (who is also a temple priest):

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“I wasted my life chasing after gods who only want to be served. We are slaves. Seeing you work like you do for them, and they don’t even respond—I don’t want that. The Hebrew God cares for his people. He fights for them and loves them. Our gods don’t love.”

For This Very Purpose by E. J. Ashmore

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The one character I felt bad for was Seti’s father, Ameneten. He truly loved his son and tried to protect him through all the troubles Seti becomes ensnared in due to his changing faith. I credit Ashmore’s exceptional character development for imprinting a secondary character so strongly upon my heart.

And did I mention Seti has a horse—Chewy—who is far more than just an animal in this story? Even Seti begins to look at the way he’s treated him in the past as his viewpoint of God alters. I loved his fierce protectiveness of Chewy, even at risk of his own life.  

This book was a finalist and semi-finalist respectively in two different faith-based contests, and I can see why. It ends with the Exodus, setting the stage for book two—which I’ve already purchased, after blowing through this one in just two days.

If you are a fan of Biblical fiction which employs vivid prose, robust scene setting, brilliant plotting and stellar character development, don’t miss this tremendous story.

I give For This Very Purpose, five praiseworthy fish.

I purchased the Kindle version of For This Very Purpose.