Thank you so much to NetGalley, Mira and HTP for the early listening and e-arc copies of this stunnin novel.

This book reeled me from the very first chapter, with this book, Kylie Lee Baker has been cemented as an auto buy author for me. We are placed directly in Cora (an Asian American woman) during the pandy at the height of it. This story was extremely visceral and the horror was two fold for me: the horrors that Cora and Asian around her in her day to day life as well as the horror of the situation she is facing during the book: cleaning up grizzly crime scenes. Friends, please check your triggers on this one because this is a story that demands your full attention and anything less is not giving this story the gravitas it demands.

Kylie Lee Baker has done it again. I am incredibly stunned at how much I loved this. This was raw, real and emotional like no book i’ve read in a long time. The use of words to create the vibes and atmosphere about the horror and the gothic of the novel was superb.

also i love when feminine rage rests in the hands of marginalized women or people of color because it’s not just an every day issue that they are raging about, it’s about something that no one else would get except their community.

anyway - listen/read to the authors note. it’s so important and timeless

Audiobook Narration: Natalie Naudus might be my new favorite audiobook narrator! She brought this book to life! I read this via ebook on 12/31/24 - as soon as I got the audiobook I started it again and devoured it in a day! I was obsessed with this book before and now, on audio, I'm full FERAL for this book. 10/10 would recommend!

<b>Kylie Lee Baker’s best work yet! </b>

<i>I fear if I do not get my hands on a physical arc I will die, and then come back as a hungry ghost. </i>

I don’t even know what to write for this review, I’m still speechless days after reading. This was utter perfection. How do you describe perfection?

<b>This was EVERYTHING!</b>

I fear so many of the 5⭐️ reviewers before me have done such an amazing job detailing the merits and nuances of this book, that anything I have to say with pale in comparison.

Here goes nothing…

If you read this book and feel nothing, I must assume you have no soul.

KLB writes absolutely stunning prose that is full of so much emotion and imagery. The juxtaposition of aforementioned beautiful prose combined with detailed gore elicits visceral reactions to both body and mind.

The paranormal aspects (ghosts) and murder mystery had my heart pounding and my mind questioning the sanity of the narrator - often I found myself wondering if the ghosts were real. The portrayal of the Asian experience was raw and heart-breaking. Grief, family, friendships, and self-discovery are just some of the themes KLB tackles with unmatched skill.

This book is dark, yet there is light at the end. <i>Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng</i> is like nothing I have ever read - I feel privileged to have experienced it.

I previously read this book then received the audio version. I admit that the book was excellent, but the narration took this to a whole new level.
I was absolutely enthralled with this one. I devoured it. Kylie Lee Baker did an excellent job with the characters and story. The themes had some darkness but made the story have more depth. The characters, especially Cora, were well written, and the story was plotted so perfectly. The dark and grittiness of this was harsh but perfect for this novel. I highly recommend it. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC, Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA, and Kylie Lee Baker