Did not realize this was a horror novel until reading - but I was able to make it through! Paranormal and gore horror in this one. Loved the pandemic theme and how the pandemic brought out so much inner trauma for our FMC.

Thank you Netgalley, Kylie Lee Baker and Hodder & Stoughton for the eArc of Bat Eater.

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner in China Town and dealing with the Pandemic. More so, while walking home, witnesses her sister being pushed under a passing train. While dealing with the Trauma of losing her sister, Cora comes to the conclusion that someone maybe targeting Asian people and having a close call herself.

This book. tackles the darkness of trauma, the claustrophobic manner of a pandemic and systemic racism. Not just on a general basis but also through the origins of this virus and being the accusations of asian people being " Bat Eaters" Even though there are some elects of dark and funny humour. This book taps into the psyche. I loved Kylie's writing style in which she is building dread, paranoia, sleuthing skills, all while dealing with Cora's job, which, in fact would affect anyone's mental health after a while.

The pacing of the book is medium which ebbs and flows but doesn't sputter out. Both the character and world building around China then made it easy to envisage where Cora was,

I also listened to the audio version of this book which was done by Natalie Naudus who suited the pacing and the ominousness of this book.

4 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC copy of this book.

4.5 stars rounded up.

This was an excellent social commentary and horror blended book. This book has a lot of layers involved in it and I was completely drawn in from the start.

I really loved the paranormal and horror elements in this. I don't typically like reading about covid-era stories - as the only other book I read on a similar topic was quite awful, but this one was very well done. It felt very unique, and while I have started to notice a lot of horror books are woven around social commentary - they are not always very well done, but this author did an amazing job with that.

I'm going to keep my review fairly brief to avoid any spoilers - but this is a must read for 2025.

Definitely recommend this to others!

I was everything that I needed ! If you are looking for a spooky ready that’s going to keep you hooked and in your toes, this is the perfect book for you!! I’m absolutely obsessed with this book. The writing style is as amazing as well!

**absolutely no notes for the narrator. the girl did the damn thing. she put on the performance of a lifetime. if you're going to read this book, LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK. you won't regret it.**

i actually don't even know where to start with this one. i feel an overwhelming amount of emotions, not all of them great - which is definitely the point of this book. if you're triggered by the events of the pandemic, tread carefully reading this book because it does not shy away from the hateful and absolutely vile treatment that asians/asian americans experienced at that time. the author also does an incredible job of creating a terrifying atmosphere with the ghosts that haunted the main character, cora. i was genuinely creeped out during certain scenes, and if you're squeamish with body horror and gore, this is not the book for you.

but my god was this phenomenal. the author's writing was BREATHTAKING. the descriptions were so vivid, they caused a visceral reaction in me. and the way these characters' stories unfolding pulled and tugged at every one of my damn heartstrings. truthfully, i'm in shock at what i've just read lol. i definitely need a few days to fully process everything. but READ THIS DAMN BOOK. omg.

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner, scrubbing away the remnants of brutal murders and suicides in Chinatown. But none of that compares to the horror she has already endured: witnessing her sister, Delilah, being pushed in front of a train.

This book starts off strong, immediately throwing us into a Final Destination-esque scenario, complete with a potential serial killer on the loose. Baker doesn't hold back on the horror—it's gruesome, gory, and deeply unsettling. The descriptive writing got so chilling at times that I found myself unable to read it at night.

As an Asian immigrant, I particularly appreciated how the novel sheds light on the identity crises faced by American-born Chinese individuals, as well as the pervasive racism that BIPOCs continue to experience—regardless if they were actually an immigrant or not. Some of the most striking lines for me came not from the novel itself, but from the author's acknowledgments:

“For me, no needle-neck ghost can compare to the way the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world—the way we sacrificed the elderly and disabled on the altar of capitalism, [...] and the way we proved we as a country still haven’t learned not to scapegoat an entire race of people in times of fear.”

"Anti-Asian hate is real and deserves attention, but it is only one symptom of a deeply broken society. [...] Do not let your empathy stop at the borders of your own community."

However, despite the novel’s strong horror themes and gripping premise, I found myself wanting more tension in the plot, and more depth from the characters. Even Cora, our protagonist, remained somewhat distant. Surely there's more to her than her insecurity and grief. But by the end of the book, there wasn’t much character growth at all, just a quiet sense of "moving on".

Additionally, while I fully acknowledge the reality and urgency of the book’s discussions on racism, I would have preferred a more nuanced, organic integration of these themes into the story rather than the somewhat one-dimensional approach taken.

That said, this book really delivers on the horror, making it a gripping read for paranormal enthusiasts.

I also really enjoyed the audiobook narration. The Chinese words were spoken naturally, without the heavy Western accent that is often present in audiobooks, which made the listening experience feel more authentic and immersive.

Cora Zeng is used to following her sister Delilah's every whim; after all, she doesn't have much of a life plan herself. But during the rising hate of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cora's life is ripped apart when her sister is brutally killed one day. The parting words of the killer: "Bat Eater". Months later, Cora's job as a crime-scene cleaner sheds light on a disturbing pattern of deaths in New York's Chinatown. The scenes that Cora cleans all seem to be Asian women who have been murdered brutally, and the killer's calling card appears to be the bodies of mutilated bats left at the scene. As Ghost Month approaches and Cora's family prepares for spirits to rise from Hell back to the world of the living, Cora feels danger closing in from all sides.

So, first of all, this book was 0% on my radar before I received my copy in the January 2025 Evernight box. I love me a good horror with social commentary, so I immediately requested to audio on Netgalley and started listening. 24 hours later and I'm sitting here breathless after finishing up the last chapter.

First, characters. The next time someone starts with the "I can't relate to the character if they don't look like me!" bullshit I am going to create a giant neon sign that points straight at Cora Zeng. While Cora's more extreme OCD behavior and social anxiety might not resonate with everyone, I think we can all absolutely relate to being young and wondering what you're going to do with your life. Bonus points for the fact that she's living through the pandemic, which feels like it is crushing all of her aspirations. Been there. On top of all that, Cora is just earnestly trying to do her best to get through every day. Even now, approaching the 5-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, I can very much say that I am sick and tired of living through unprecedented times and sometimes it's really all I can do to get through one day and wake up to face another. Cora really embodies that with her rigid schedule and need for control over her environments in a world where she really doesn't have much control over anything else.

The story of this book is just as stand-out as our characters. It has social commentary. It has cultural traditions. It has terrifying paranormal creatures that will keep you up at night. Bat Eater is the first book I have read this year that made me want to sleep with the lights on. I usually listen to audiobooks while I am falling asleep, but I absolutely refused to turn this on while I was in the dark. The descriptions of the creatures haunting Cora and her friends made by spine tingle and had to be brought back only when the sun was high in the sky again.

Ghosts, though, aren't the only horror in Bat Eater. As I said at the start of the review, this book focuses heavily on the anti-Asian hate that sprouted during the pandemic, highlighting both the gruesome and the benign ways that Asian peoples were targeted in America during COVID-19. This focus in the driving force of the book and for that reason, I am not going to analyze it too deeply here - go and read it for yourself if you want more detail. But suffice it to say that this extremely nuanced commentary is laced up beautifully with the horror elements of this book, putting it right next to Jordan Peele's Get Out in its quality.

The narration from Natalie Naudus is stand-out and I found myself on the edge of my seat multiple times purely based on her performance. The way that she injects Cora with such emotion and personality is incredibly effective. The scene towards the end of the book where Cora has an emotional outburst pertaining to her previous relationship with her sister was particularly affecting. Naudus made me feel like crying, too.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng comes out on April 29th, and I can't wait to recommend it to every horror-lover I know. This will definitely be going down as one of the best horror releases of the year.

I usually steer clear of pandemic related books, but this one? I had to read it. Buckle up because this is a wild ride filled with gore, horror, and ghosts.
I won’t lie, there were moments I wasn’t sure I could stomach it. More than once, I wanted to put it down. But at its core, this is a story for those who have endured and continue to endure racism. It’s unsettling, relentless, and absolutely worth reading. Natalie Naudus’ voice is always fantastic. Her tones and inflections were spot on, bringing so much depth to the story. She’s truly one of the most talented narrators out there!
Definitely check the content warnings before diving in because this one does not hold back. It had me thinking about The Ring more than once. Be the MF bat eater.

I loved this story it was real, and raw, and haunting. Cora was such a beautifully flawed character. From her obsession with germs, cleanliness and avoiding covid, to her traumas from family and the violence inflicted on her and those around her as well as her struggle to figure out exactly where she "fits." This book is everything- EVERYTHING! There's mystery, covid horror, slow-burn ghostly paranormal horror- with some truly horrific imagery, a horror revealing of darkest parts of humanity and exposing the rampant racism that's still so prevalent today. This book is beautifully written and will stay with me forever. I honestly can't wait to read it again.


Natalie Naudus was the *perfect* narrator for the audio of this book. They really brought the story and horrors to life in a way that wast haunting and chilling. I connected to their narration immediately and couldn't seem to turn the book off.

I read an early copy of Bat Eater in 2024 and it ended up being one of my favorites of the year. When I saw Natalie Naudus was narrating the audiobook, I knew I had to immediately reread (listen). And it did not disappoint! She was the perfect narrator for this book and did the story and Cora such justice. If you enjoy socially relevant and/or paranormal horror, add this to your TBR. Such a smart, bleak, important read. And these characters?! I was so invested. And devestated. But the pain was worth it.

I’d say if you liked any of the following, you would likely enjoy this: American Rapture by CJ Leede (found family, pandemic, religious themes), The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim (AAPI rep, serial killer), and Diavola by Jennifer Thorne (ghosts, difficult family relationships). This might make it seem like Bat Eater is doing too much but I swear it is doing JUST enough.

Engaging, immersive, and expertly narrated. A recommended first purchase in all formats, particularly where multicultural horror is popular.

🚇ARC REVIEW🚇

BAT EATER AND OTHER NAMES FOR CORA ZENG by Kylie Lee Baker
4/5 🌟

This book left me *shaken*. It's the first horror I've read centered around the fallout of the pandemic, and it was both strange and almost uncomfortable (in a good way) to read. It really made me think about how racism spiked as a direct consequence of the pandemic. Again, my fellow white chicks, we need to be reading the stuff that makes us uncomfortable and gives us perspective, and this one fits the bill.

The begins with the violent and gruesome death of Cora's sister at a subway station in 2020, after a racist man pushes her into an oncoming train. It follows Cora after this event, as strange things start to happen to her.

Please read if you like the following:
👻 Creepy ghosts with the broken neck thing going on
👻 Main characters that are a part of crime scene clean up crews
👻 The conversation around racism towards Asian peoples after COVID
👻 Representation of characters with OCD

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Audio, and The Hive for the review copy!

🔖#horror #bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookreview #instabook #bookrecommendations #read #bookcommunity #bookphotography #bookshelf #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklovers #booklove #booktok #reader #instabooks #authorsofinstagram

Thank you to the hive for the ALC of this book!

Cora Zeng is haunted by her past, by ghosts, and by a serial killer targeting Asian women. As a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown, she scrubs away death but can't erase the memory of her sister, Delilah, who was pushed in front of a train. Before fleeing, the killer spat two words, BAT EATER.

Blood doesn’t bother Cora, but germs do because of the ongoing pandemic and the fear of getting COVID. Ever since Delilah’s death, reality blurs, and at times it seems like Cora is losing her mind. She ignores her aunt’s warnings, and her friends warnings about ghost month and hungry ghosts… but bat carcasses keep appearing at crime scenes... So do the bodies of Asian women… and now her sisters ghost is following her… but is it really her sisters ghost or something far more horrifying?

I’m not going to lie, this book scared me. I’d recommend reading or listening to this during the day! But as an Asian American woman I can rate to how Cora felt during the pandemic in terms of prejudices, and of course the fear of catching covid! I listened to this book in one day and even though I was scared, I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you HTP, Mira, Harper Audio, and The Hive for the gifted copy

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng
Kylie Lee Baker
Publishing Date: April 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a complex and important story this was. Kylie Lee Baker somehow took gruesome ghostly horror and made it an emotional and impactful read. There are also sprinkles of humor throughout which provide much needed levity. The writing and storytelling was just really well done.

This novel takes place in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our FMC Cora is a crime scene cleaner who also struggles with what presents as anxiety/OCD, there are hungry ghosts at play, and a series of murders. All of which leads to the spooky, bloody, wild ride that was this book. But in truth, the real horror, is the racism faced by Asian people, which is a theme all throughout this story. It was uncomfortable and infuriating to look these truths, which are still unfortunately so prevalent, in the face.

The last bit of this book was one punch in the gut after another, and the final “reveal” was just so powerful and disheartening. This was the type of book and ending that left you feeling so many feelings and thinking about important things, and those are my absolute favorite. The heartfelt authors note at the end was icing on the cake. This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last.

**What I Loved:**
- A chilling blend of horror, murder mystery, and ghost story
- A deeply immersive look at NYC’s Chinatown during the pandemic
- Dark humor woven into the bleakness
- Sharp social commentary that lingers long after the last page

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but this book *owned* me from start to finish. *Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng* follows a crime scene cleaner navigating a world of violent deaths, unsettling hauntings, and a reality that constantly blurs at the edges. The eerie, immersive atmosphere grips you instantly—ghosts aren’t just lurking in the shadows, they’re embedded in the trauma, the history, and the deep unease that runs through every page.

Kylie Lee Baker masterfully captures the paranoia and grief of the pandemic era, particularly through Cora’s experiences as an Asian woman in that time. The fear, the othering, the quiet but suffocating anxiety—it’s all there, unflinching and painfully real. The horror elements feel organic, creeping in through the cracks of the narrative rather than overwhelming it. And despite the heavy themes, Baker balances the darkness with moments of biting humor, making Cora’s voice feel all the more authentic.

This book is raw, haunting, and deeply affecting. It’s a murder mystery, a ghost story, and a social reckoning all in one, and it doesn’t pull its punches. The audiobook adds another layer of tension—definitely not something to listen to alone in the dark unless you *want* to question every shadow in your room.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝? I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, but this had me in a choke hold. It’s a story about Cory Zeng, a crime scene cleaner, that takes place in New York City’s Chinatown during the heart of the pandemic. She deals with murders of Asian women, hungry ghosts wandering around and trying to figure out what’s real and what’s not.. Kylie Lee Baker brings on the true vibe of creepy, supernatural and horror all rolled into one..

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!!!

Horror//paranormal//social commentary//racism//mental health//mystery~

TW: Gore, racism/hate crimes, pandemic trauma, PTSD

Oooh this was chilling and good. A murder mystery and ghost tale in one- they tell a story that is all too real and recent. How it feels to live through a pandemic, and the experience of being Asian during COVID. I luckily live in safe and generally diverse part of the US, but I still remember the fear of coughing-while-Asian in those times. I used to try and resist even clearing my throat with my mask on in public, especially after hearing about the rise in Asian hate crimes. I’m glad things are better now, but Kylie Lee Baker does a great job at putting you right back into a time when things didn’t feel too hopeful.

I really enjoyed how the story unfolded, and let me tell you- the audiobook at night can be a little creepy 😱 but so fun. Proceed with caution hahah. I was getting major Seven (“WHAT’S IN THE BOX??) vibes.

The story was pretty short, and a great break from the typical fantasy books I’ve been reading.

From the author’s acknowledgments:

“For me, no needle-neck ghost can compare to the way the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world—the way we sacrificed the elderly and disabled on the altar of capitalism, the way trust in the government and the CDC swiftly dissolved, and the way we proved we as a country still haven’t learned not to scapegoat an entire race of people in times of fear.”

“Do not let your empathy stop at the borders of your own community.”
Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I absolutely loved this book. It was dark but when Cora decided to stand up and fight back, I was right there with her. It feels too relevant in today’s climate. Asian immigrants losing their lives and being forgotten because they were considered lesser than. It brought back the feelings I felt during Covid and watching the blatant hate and violence towards the Asian community. And it’s a stark reminder that our empathy should not stop at the borders of our own communities. A must read if there ever was one!

Synopsis :
Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner, washing away the remains of brutal murders and suicides in Chinatown. But none of that seems so terrible when she’s already witnessed the most horrific thing possible: her sister, Delilah, being pushed in front of a train.
Before fleeing the scene, the murderer shouted two words: bat eater.
So the bloody messes don’t really bother Cora—she’s more bothered by the germs on the subway railing, the bare hands of a stranger, the hidden viruses in every corner, and the bite marks on her coffee table. Of course, ever since Delilah was killed in front of her, Cora can’t be sure what's real and what’s in her head.
She pushes away all feelings and ignores the advice of her aunt to prepare for the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the gates of hell open. But she can't ignore the dread in her stomach as she keeps finding bat carcasses at crime scenes, or the scary fact that all her recent cleanups have been the bodies of East Asian women.
As Cora will soon learn, you can’t just ignore hungry ghosts.

Ok so this is NOT my typical read. For starters it centers around the CoVid-19 pandemic and I typically stay away from books that use that time period as entertainment but this book is so much more.

It uses the pandemic as a real life example of the bigotry and racism that certain people face, especially in America. This book is all creepy!! It has chimes lore weaved throughout creating a psychological horror that has you squirming.


I am thankful to have gotten the ALC for free from Harlequin Audio through NetGalley to listen to which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

I thought narrator Natalie Naudus did a perfect job for the prose. The way she recited the material just added to the creepiness but without getting over dramatic.

For horror fans this is a great read! The audiobook comes out April 29th 2025.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

While this book sheds light on the racism faced by Asian people during the pandemic, it just didn’t work for me. The story felt disjointed, with unanswered questions that left me unsatisfied. I found the two supporting characters far more engaging than the main character, who lacked depth and personality. However, the audiobook narrator did a good job bringing the story to life.