Thank you @htp_hive @harlequinbooks for my ALC and ARC!
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For the longest time I’ve avoided COVID-centered stories but something drew me to this book and I HAD to read it. This is actually the first horror book I’ve read as well so it’s way out of my comfort zone.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a grueling horror novel centered around anti-Asian COVID times in 2020 New York City.

Following Cora after the murder of her sister, Delilah, who was pushed to her death while both were waiting for the subway. The man calls Delilah a “bat eater” before he escapes.

We really jump in months following this event, Cora is on a crime scene cleanup crew with two friends. As she cleans the scenes she has an odd realization - that they were all Asian women and for some reason a bat is present (dead or alive), possible signs of a serial killer? Cora is willing to try and find out. Cora who is timid, struggling with compulsivity’s, and lacks general confidence is taking on this mission.

This book is so dark, horrifying, gory but so so amazing. This is such a great blend of horror, Chinese traditions, Chinese ghost stories, and the anti-Asian rhetoric that strongly took hold during the peak of Covid. It covers such heavy topics yet somehow Kylie sneaks in moments of humor.

I will say that while I want every one to read this and understand the extreme racism we’ve faced- it’s not for everyone. Please content warnings before diving in 💗

Gory, gruesome and ghostly. A blend of heartbreak and humor and social commentary I could not look away from. I was admittedly skeptical when I realized how big of a plot point Covid played in this book but it quickly became evident that this was no run of the mill, mention how annoying it is and move on, sort of thing. Exploring the anti-Chinese/Asian racism that exploded amid the pandemic through a serial killer/ghost story offered a perspective I hadn’t had much direct exposure to.

Starting with one of the most viscerally disturbing opening chapters I’ve ever read, I was hooked immediately and could not stop until the bitter end. Horror has always been, in my opinion, one of the best, most effective avenues for social commentary. Bat Eater perfectly encapsulates a very specific moment in time that showed how fear lends itself to some of the worst, most heinous parts of humanity without sacrificing itself to some copy paste platitudes we’re overly familiar with.

Keeping this review short and sweet in an effort to not give too much away but without a doubt this will be on my list of year end favorites.

If audiobooks are your thing, this was fantastic to listen to.

Lots of trigger warnings for violence/racism/xenophobia/animal abuse.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Harlequin for advanced audio and e-book copies in exchange for review.

This was audiobook was very well done.

I usually listen to audiobooks at 2.5-3x speed, but some become intelligible when played that fast; I did not have that issue with this one. The narrator was clear and expressive consistently throughout.

As for the story itself, the first and last 25% were great! Gory, tense, and excellent social commentary; it was what I was expecting from the entire novel, but unfortunately it wasn't what I got.

The middle 50%, was an absolute slog to get through. The plot was completely stagnant as the main character and her friends ran around like a lackluster episode of Scooby-Doo. It felt very confused, like it didn't know if it wanted to focus on the thriller/crime elements or the paranormal elements. If I didn't have this ALC of the audiobook alongside the eARC, I probably would have DNF'd it after the first third.

I'm willing to give another adult horror standalone from this author a try in the future, but the story in its entirety just missed the mark for me.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoyed "Diavola" by Jennifer Marie Thorne.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.
Please read Kylie Lee Baker’s author note after finishing her adult debut. We can’t have our empathy stop at our own personal borders. We can’t have sympathy /pity for Cora but condemn Treyvon Martin.
The story itself had me hooked from the beginning. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know that crime scene cleaners was an actual profession but Ms. Baker wrote everyone in such a distinct way that it felt normalized. This book also brought to light the Asian hate that was distinctly prevalent throughout the height of the pandemic. This book is the type of horror novel that sneaks up on - just like a hungry ghost. The further you read, the more aghast you will become the more we uncover.

There's a lot of interesting stuff here. First, the premise. We follow Cora, a Chinese American, and a few of her Chinese American friends in New York during the height of COVID, where they are working as crime scene cleaners. They are noticing that they have been cleaning up a LOT of murdered Asian women... and then they start finding bats at the crime scenes. Oh, and they start seeing ghosts of the murdered women.

I really appreciate what the author was trying to do here. Telling the stories of Asians during COVID who are dealing with all the hate and violence directed at them during that time is SO important and quite frankly I would really like to see more of it. There is also some really cool cultural information shared over the course of the novel and I always love to that.

That being said, as much as I loved the premise, I'm not 100% sure I loved the execution. Cora isn't really that interesting of a character (though I did love Aoife and Harvey). But my biggest gripe was that I really didn't love how the mystery unfolded. The whole book is a slow burn, and the ending feels a little rushed and not very satisfying. That could have been an intentional choice of the author (the character mentions this specifically) so this is probably just me wishing everything could be wrapped up in nice bows. But still, even a vague ending can be a good one and the last 10% just felt rushed for me.

Overall 3.5 stars rounded up and I'd like more Asian ownvoices covid stories please

Shit. Wow.

I went into this blind (don’t recommend that, please check TWs and read the blurb, hah!) and almost stopped as soon as I realized it took place during the pandemic (didn’t think I was ready, even 5 years later) but I’m so glad I didn’t.

I’ve been in such a major reading slump, even with audiobooks (which is kind of rare for me), but I could not put this one down! THANK YOU KYLIE LEE BAKER.

This book explores and highlights the deep racism Chinese people (and arguably East Asians in general) faced within the United States surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the distrust of police and authority, as well as East Asian cultural practices.

We start off STRONG with a pretty gory death that literally made me gasp and slap my hand over my mouth for a good five minutes. We then transition into following Cora who works as a crime scene cleaner tasked with cleaning up pretty brutal murders that leads her to believe a serial killer is on the loose targeting Asian women. Since witnessing her sister’s death, Cora is unsure of what’s real or what’s in her head, and it doesn’t exactly help that she ignored her aunt’s advice by not preparing for Hungry Ghost Festival (in which the gates of hell open, allowing ghosts/spirits to visit the living). Not knowing if Cora is an unreliable narrator was one of my favorite aspects of this storytelling. And be sure to read the Author’s Note. It is by far my favorite Author’s Note I’ve read.

This was such a great horror novel that is going to stick with me for a very long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an advance copy of the audiobook!

Baker was meant to write horror, that's for sure! I was so excited to hear of her adult debut in the genre, and overall, Bat Eater did not disappoint. I enjoyed the majority of this on audio and overall enjoyed this narrator's work.

There were just a few things craft-wise that felt a bit jarring. Some of the main points of this book were delivered quite heavy handedly, especially towards the end. Yifei’s monologue before the car crash comes to mind, as well as Cora’s suddenly, well-versed thoughts when for most of the book she was quite disconnected and numb?

However I do think Baker took this subject matter and crafted a compelling horror novel. I ended up paging through this book quickly, unable to put it down! And her author’s note at the end really tied it together well for me.

I can’t tell you why I picked up Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng. I don’t read a lot of horror, I avoid serial killers, and I haven’t been reading many pandemic books. But it was fabulous, in a gory, violent, haunting way.

It’s Summer, 2020 in New York City. In the opening scene, 24-year-old Cora Zeng and her sister Delilah are waiting for the subway when a man appears just as the train approaches. He calls Delilah a “bat eater” and pushes her onto the tracks. She is killed by the train and the man is never caught. resulting in her brutal death before Cora’s eyes. Unfortunately, the man escapes. The second chapter picks up a few months later. Cora is now working as a crime scene cleaner, a job that fits Cora and her need for cleanliness well, but a disturbing number of the jobs have been cleaning the apartments of murdered Asian women. It’s also Ghost Month, which Cora dismisses – until her sister’s ghost shows up at her apartment.

Cora is an amazing character. Life has handed her a lot and she keeps going as best she can. Her friendship with the other two members of the cleaning crew feels realistic even if they are an odd bunch. I love that they accept her despite her quirks and believe her. They make quite a team.

Bat Eater is clearly horror and a serial killer book, so avoid it if blood and guts bother you. But it also touches on so many societal issues – fetishization of Asian women, systemic racism, hate crimes, police brutality, and media manipulation. It does an amazing job of getting its points across without preaching. It’s terrifying and thought-provoking and a reminder that the true monsters are almost always people. We need to do better.

I listened to the audio and the narrator did an amazing job. She brought the story and characters to life, getting across the fear and the moments of humor without being melodramatic.

The writing was beautiful, and the first few chapters immediately captured my attention. However, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest. The premise, set during such a devastating time for many, was powerfully portrayed. Still, I felt the story dragged a bit as it went on. I likely would have enjoyed it more if the pace had been faster. The horror elements, though, were well-executed and genuinely terrifying. The narrator did an excellent job, and I particularly enjoyed her voice—it really immersed me in the story.

to say that this book is a five star read is the understatement of the year.

like many other people, i'm not particularly fond of COVID narratives. it's one thing to have to survive it (and what a gift that is, given how many didn't) and a whole other thing to see it be used as a plot device. do NOT let that dissuade you here. it is so much more than just an added element — it's as integral to the book as the pages it's printed on. this story paints a gore-drenched portrait of the AAPI-centered hate so rampant during the pandemic (and before, and since). it is shocking, graphic, and stomach-churning. some of you may want to look away — don't.

cora zeng is a true knockout of a character. she's timid, paranoid (for good reason!), compulsive, and lost, but she also has a dark humor and a sharp insight. the supporting characters closest to her are a testament to quality over quantity, although i would like to have a talk (yes, let's call it a talk...) with some of the others. despite her horrific treatment during those traumatic times, cora zeng's transformation is one that felt natural, necessary, and powerful.

i don't think i've been subtle about it thus far, but let me be super clear just in case: this is an absolute must read. make room on that TBR by april 28!!
 
many thanks to harlequin books for the audio copy of this book on netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Grab some TISSUES and DUMPLINGS probably a torch light as well... let's dive in..

I was full-on sobbing-on-the-carpet hiding-in-my-closet-with-the-lights-off wrecked. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker narrated by Natalie Naudus is not just a book. It’s an experience. A horrifying beautiful soul-crushing experience. And let me tell you Phase 1 was just the beginning.

Cora Zeng is damn. She’s a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown dealing with the aftermath of brutal murders and suicides. Sounds bad right? But that’s nothing compared to what she’s already been through. Her sister Delilah was murdered right in front of her pushed onto train tracks while the killer screamed “bat eater” before running off. That moment alone set the tone for the entire story and let me tell you it doesn’t stop. Not for a second.

Phase 1 of this book scared the absolute crap out of me. I’m talking joss-paper-burning lights-left-on-all-night scared. But then came Phase 2 and that’s when things got real. It wasn’t just ghosts anymore. It was people. The kind of people who make you question humanity itself. Every single crime scene Cora cleans involves East Asian women. Every single one. And when bat carcasses start showing up at these scenes it hits you. This isn’t just about ghosts. It’s about the violence faced by women who look like Cora women who look like me. By the end I realized the scariest monsters aren’t under our beds or lurking in the shadows. They’re people. We’re the monsters. What made this even worse was how real everything felt. Cora’s paranoia about germs strangers and even her own mind had me looking over my shoulder constantly. Was that noise outside my window just the wind or something worse? Are those bite marks on my coffee table actually there or am I losing it like Cora might be? The line between what’s real and what’s in her head keeps blurring and it’s terrifying. And don’t even get me started on the narration. Natalie Naudus brought Cora to life so vividly that I couldn’t help but feel everything she did. There were moments where I laughed cried and screamed all within minutes. Honestly by the end they practically had to peel my AirPods off my skull because I was clutching them so hard. I was so invested so terrified and so emotionally drained that I forgot they were even in my ears. The Hungry Ghost Festival added another layer of dread weaving folklore into the horror seamlessly. When the gates of hell opened I swear I could hear whispers behind me. But again the real fear comes from realizing that the ghosts haunting us aren’t always spectral. They’re societal. By the time I reached the end I was a mess. Emotionally drained heart pounding and questioning everything. This isn’t just a horror novel. It’s a gut punch. It’s messy painful and beautiful all at once. If you’re brave enough to listen just know this. Phase 1 will scare you. Phase 2 will break you. And by the end you’ll probably have to pry your AirPods out of your skull because you’ve been clinging to them for dear life.

Five stars no question. Just maybe grab some dumplings first. You’ll need the comfort food or not... no promises that it will stay down..

I went into Bat Eater and Other Names for Coral Lee with high expectations, given the glowing reviews, but unfortunately, it just didn’t wow me. While I can appreciate the writing and the themes the book explores, it never fully pulled me in. The emotional weight didn’t hit as hard as I expected, and the story felt more like something I was observing rather than experiencing.

Also, I really don’t enjoy books about COVID, and that aspect of the story didn’t work for me. While I understand its relevance, I find it exhausting to revisit in fiction. Overall, while I see why others might love this book, it just wasn’t for me.

Went into this book without knowing anything about it. It blew my away with its storytelling. I didn’t want to finish the story so I put off reading the last 20% for a few days just so I could really enjoy it. I loved the narrator for this story so much and would listen to books narrated by them in the future.

Cora Zeng watched her sister Delilah get pushed in front of a train in New York City during the COVID pandemic, in what was obviously a hate crime. Before the perpetrator ran away, he screamed a phrase that still haunts her - bat eater.

Cora works as a crime scene cleaner, and is noticing a trend of Asian women being brutally murdered or committing suicide in Chinatown. The horrific clean-ups don't bother her much, but finding bats at the scenes of the crime definitely do. Pair this with the fact that her dead sister seems to be trying to tell her something, taking the form of a hungry ghost. As Cora inches further to the truth, the horrors of the world around her become apparent as she tries to avoid the virus and the killer who seems to be searching her out.

This was a helluva good horror novel. What I like about horror, is that it asks the reader where the fear is coming from. And in this novel, the horror comes not only from the paranormal, but from the COVID virus and the racist attacks on the Asian community that happened because of the virus. I loved how the author took that reality at the time and mixed it with the Hungry Ghosts legends from China. The best horror has a message, and this is a perfect example of that.

Okay what a wild ride! I went in to this fairly blind and did not expect it to be a pandemic read, which is probably for the best because I don’t tend to gravitate towards books with pandemic settings. However this was so well done and actually brought me right back to the way it felt being in the pandemic. I completely forgot that I was bringing groceries home and sanitizing every single thing before putting it away.
On top of that, the way that they handled the bigotry, racism, hate, and acts of violence that were directed towards Asians, especially the Chinese, was masterful. When people started calling at the China virus, I couldn’t understand why more people weren’t livid, knowing what it was going to lead to. I like that that was talked about in this.
I also didn’t expect a whole bunch of horror, gore, and supernatural/paranormal elements. I’m not generally a huge fan of supernatural books either unless I know to expect it and I’m prepared. However, with this didn’t mind at all and thought it was really great. Weaving it in with Chinese folklore and spirituality was really cool as somebody with limited knowledge. The way that family, trauma, identity, religious confusion, and so much more were incorporated was also a 10 out of 10.

Also, I did do the audio version of this book. Highly recommend!

I loved this book. It was thrilling and I appreciated the thoughtful social commentary. The characters were fun and quirky.

EXCELLENT. A pleasant, horrific surprise. Not only does this book battle the tragic circumstances surrounding the pandemic..it also brings a flawed FMC to the center of the stage as she navigates and attempts to understand how why everyone is blaming COVID on those of Asian ethnicity. This story also focuses on Cora’s relationship with her sister Delilah and she tries to find who she is at her core. This was a lot of different things and a wildddddd ride. I devoured this!

I just finished *BATEATER AND OTHER NAMES FOR CORA ZENG* by Kylie Lee Baker and I’m completely blown away. I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say, the narration was absolutely phenomenal. The voice actress captured the tone and emotions of the story perfectly, bringing the characters to life in such an immersive way that I can honestly see myself revisiting it again. The performance added so much depth to the experience, and I’ll be going back to this one for sure.

The book itself is a rich, thrilling ride, combining the perfect amount of gory, supernatural horror with a poignant, timely exploration of identity, racism, and resilience. The gore is so vividly described, and I was hooked from start to finish—it's chilling, visceral, and leaves a lasting impression.

But it’s the story’s perspective, especially from the lens of an Asian American woman during the Covid-19 pandemic, that really sets this book apart. The author does a fantastic job of intertwining Cora Zeng’s personal struggles with the larger issues that were so prevalent in America during this time. The fear, the prejudice, and the isolation felt so real, and the narrative gives a voice to a community that is often sidelined in discussions of race and societal turmoil.

I loved Cora Zeng as protagonist—strong, complex, and full of contradictions. At the heart of the story, she’s grappling with an ancient curse that brings her face-to-face with her own monstrous nature. But it’s her personal journey that really stands out. The duality of her being both a person struggling with her co-dependent relationship with her sister and someone who is trying to find her own voice is so beautifully written. You can’t help but root for her, even when she’s doing things you don’t quite agree with. Towards the end of the book I found the narration a tiny bit annoying, there is lots of crying and panicking and I felt like the narrators voice could have toned it down a little bit and it would have been even stronger and more touching.

The other characters are all also thoughtfully crafted. Cora’s relationships with them add so much emotional depth. The way she navigates these connections—especially with her family—while simultaneously dealing with seeing ghosts and having to deal with a potential serial killer, is incredibly compelling. There’s also a certain level of nuance in how each character grapples with identity, societal expectations, and personal survival. These characters aren’t just side players—they each have their own stories to tell that intertwine with Cora’s in meaningful ways.

What I loved the most is how the book balances all of these heavy themes with a gripping, sometimes terrifying narrative. The mix of the supernatural with the very real struggles of being an Asian American woman during a time of hate and fear makes this story so much more than just a horror novel. It’s thought-provoking, timely, and ultimately about finding strength in the face of adversity.

I highly recommend this book, especially the audiobook version—it’s a complete experience. It’s a haunting, emotional, and intense read that will stay with you long after you finish it. I will 100% put this book in my bookstore when it becomes available.

Disclaimer: Don't be afraid of BLOOD, SPLATTER AND GORE!

Thank you to Kylie Lee Baker, Mira and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

“Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zang” is a wild horror story! Our FMC, Cora, lost her sister in a horrible accident. Now, while living in New York City during the Covid pandemic, she faces discrimination. The racial slurs that are thrown at Cora, an Asian woman, are truly sickening. People scream “bat eater” at her, accusing her of being the one to spread the virus. On top of this, strange things begin happening that lead her to think her sister’s spirit is still with her.

The mystery in this story grabbed my attention and kept me guessing throughout. Cora’s sister being unsettled was just enough horror to keep me feeling unsettled as I read - LOL! Equally unsettling was Cora’s obsession with being clean - getting rid of dirt and germs - especially when her job often put her in unsavory conditions. The author’s style of writing this had me squirming and wanting to wash my own hands! This was an aspect of horror I don’t usually dip into but it made the story all the more compelling. My heart broke for Cora at the unfairness of her entire situation - losing her sister, being targeted just for existing; the author did such a respectful job showcasing the unfair treatment of Asians during the Covid pandemic. Finally, rich in the folklore of Cora’s family, “Bat Eater” took readers on a journey of what happens to a spirit when it’s not at rest, when it’s hungry? I hope I never find out - LOL!

”Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zang” releases April 29, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

This book follows Cora Zeng, a Chinese American crime scene cleaner, living in New York. Most of the crime scenes she is called in to clean are young Asian American women. A serial killer is on the loose.

The book starts in March 2020. Cora and her sister Delilah are at a train station. Standing close to the edge, a white man pushes Delilah into an oncoming train.

Cora goes through the hardships of losing her sister, and being haunted by what she thought was her sister's ghost all while living through Covid (The Chinese Virus)

This book touches on culture, racism, religion, and grief. It was definitely a page-turner, and I absolutely loved the narration. I look forward to reading more from this author and listening to this narrator.