As an Asian Amercian bi racial woman who lived through COVID in her mid 20's, this was so relatable and felt so real. I loved the horror aspect of this story because COVID time as an Asian woman truly did feel like a horror story. One of my favorite things about this story is the way Kylie Lee Baker was able make you feel like you were in Cora's head.

”Closing your eyes doesn’t stop monsters from devouring you.”"

When this book was first announced, I desperately wanted to read it and counted down the days until I could read it. I saw the blurb, and my interest was immediately piqued. COVID-19 changed so much about our world, and I think, like many others, it changed how I viewed the world. Given the heavy subject matter, it has taken me time to get to it. I would have liked to read it earlier, but unfortunately, I just wasn't in the right headspace. This book was incredibly impactful, and I thought the bits of social commentary were brilliant, especially about racism and how it impacted Asian Americans during the pandemic. Especially in the way that Asian Americans were painted with a broad brush. Not only was the social commentary impactful, but so was the commentary on mental health. Though it wasn't explicitly named OCD, I really related to some of Cora's compulsions and thought processes throughout the book. The beginning was *absolutely unsettling* and really painted a vivid picture. After the opening, I did feel it got a little slow. However, it picked up toward the middle for me, and after that, I simply couldn't put it down. The author's note at the end of the book is also worth reading, and it put thoughts I didn't know I had into words. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for offering me this ARC to read.

Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the ARC book.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng follows Cora, an Asian American woman, as she navigates life during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Her life takes a tragic turn when her sister Delilah is brutally murdered in front of her by a man who shouts “bat eater” and then pushed her in front of a train. This book explored a wide range of topics, but one aspect that stood out was the racism and violence that Asian people faced during the early days of the pandemic. The ending of this story did seem a little rushed but I overall give this book a solid 4 stars and would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
The Covid-19 pandemic was a horror show in and of itself, so writing a truly chilling novel, where a serial killer is murdering Asian American women, as a hate crime masquerading as justice for the “bat eaters” who he blames for this flu-well it’s brave, and brilliant, and downright frightening. Seriously one of the best things I’ve read this year.

Brutal and heartbreaking. A look back at the global pandemic we all experienced in 2020. Both harrowing and haunting.

So many books about global pandemics are out there, some came out before 2020 and some after. I’m finding that reading these types of books after experiencing the COVID pandemic helps me to process all that we went through.

Some parts of this book hurt to read. Others made me so angry because some of these interactions were inspired by real life.

It’s true that in terrible times, some of the best music, art, and books are created.

This book was raw and painful to read at times. It’s gruesome. If depictions of crime scene cleanup bother you, this book might not be for you. Although, I’d say it’s worth the read regardless of the depictions of crime scenes.

Just like the hungry ghosts in the story, this book will not be ignored. It demands attention.

If you’re into horror based in part by real life, I implore you to read this. Words really can’t express how good this book was.

As far as the audiobook goes, the narrator did an excellent job at portraying Cora. I was hooked from the first chapter. The narrator’s tone of voice is perfect for a story like this. There’s a scene at the beginning that sets the story up that’s so horrific. I really can’t stress enough how well the narrator performed the horror scenes.

This is horror at it’s best. A way to peer closer at the horrors of real life so we can process it better.

I’d recommend this to horror lovers, especially those who can read extreme horror. I wouldn’t say this is for beginners.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Harlequin Audio, and the author for providing me with an ARC/ALC for review.

Actual rating 3.5-4.0 stars.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker is a standalone adult horror novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic that features elements of Chinese Ghost Month and hungry ghost folklore. Twenty-four-year-old Cora Zeng views herself as a shadow of her older sister, Delilah--until she witnesses Delilah's brutal murder at an NYC subway station. Cora cleans up crime scenes to pay the bills, while simultaneously struggling with OCD, her multicultural identity (Cora is biracial, Chinese and white), her grief, and the pandemic. But when the crime scenes she witnesses seem to point to a serial killer, what is she to do?

First of all, the message in this book is 10/10. This visceral book firmly criticizes the lackluster response to the anti-Asian hate that came out of the woodwork during the pandemic (read the author's note in this book--intersectionality and solidarity are key, especially in 2025). Points also for the OCD and mixed ethnicity representation, and for the haunting twist on hungry ghost and jiangshi folklore. (Reading the Taco Bell scene at night at a McDonalds was a bit too close for comfort...)

That said, the first one hundred pages were pretty slow, and probably could have been condensed. Also, while insight into Cora's monologues are important, there is a bit too much time spent there at times; she is a passive character, but there is a limit. However, while more time could have been given to fleshing out Cora's familial relationships, her time with Harvey and Yifei is perfect--these are some of the most memorable scenes of the book. I haven't read Baker's romantasy, but I would be interested in future horror stories by her!

CW: gore, body horror, animal death/mutilation, hate crimes

Readers who enjoy this book may also like: Kylie Lee Baker's other works, titles by Stephen Graham Jones and Nick Medina, Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou, The Babadook (2014), and The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Eiji Ōtsuka, among others.

This book is nasty and spooky; it was a thrill to read. I wish there had been more adventures with the three of the cleaners together, as I love a good buddy comedy, but alas. I wanted more explanation of the hungry ghosts, but I loved what I got.

This book was not my cup of tea. I finished it because the writing was good but to write about the pandemic I guess I just don’t wanna hear about it.

I am SO sad to say that I enjoyed this, but I didn’t love it. I did do this via audio, and I’m thinking that likely impacted its effect, so I would recommend reading this physically as opposed to listening. There were some beautiful lines and there were some truly haunting moments and creept descriptions. Ultimately, though, what it came down to is that I just didn’t connect with the characters, and I’m not sure if that’s my fault because of how I consumed the book (via audio over multiple listening session), or if it’s the book’s fault because there wasn’t enough character development. I just never truly felt connected to Cora, and soe I couldn’t get as emotional as I wanted to be. Also, I think it’s worth saying that this took me nearly TWO MONTHS to finish via audio because I just never felt like listening :(

Some “If you liked” style comparisons: Haunting of Hill House vibes

Warning: Check content warnings if you need them...This is set during the pandemic and features a lot of racism and body horror.

I’ve never wanted to grab a character out of a book and give them a hug more than after reading Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng.

I closed this book and wished that girl nothing but peace for the rest of her days because it is well deserved.

Normally I have a hard time conceptualizing scenes in horror books, but Kylie Lee Baker had no issue of making me actually scared and worried that if I turned my head a Hungry Ghost is going to be waiting for me.

With this book being placed during COVID at the height of racial discrimination towards Asian people there was an added sensation of anxiety and dread. And Cora as a character just oozed that through the pages. On one had we didn’t know if she was going to be murdered due a hate crime like her sister or the Hungry Ghosts were going to get her first.

Definitely highly recommended! Thank you HTP/MIRA books for the arc copy!

Wow. If chapter one doesn't reel you in, nothing will. This book offers something for everyone. Like horror? You'll love all the ghosts, creepy vibes, blood, and guts. Like mysteries? Someone is killing Asians in 2020 New York and leaving bats at the scene like a calling card. Like diverse characters? The characters are well fleshed out, endearing, and even the hungry ghost grew on me by the end.

If you enjoy social realism with dark humor, ghosts, and a serial killer murder mystery, you will love Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng.

Thank you Harlequin for the eARC in return for my honest review.

This was my first 5 star read of 2025! Baker has created a truly dark and sad account of the anti-asian hate in NYC in the first few months of the pandemic, as well as a scary ghost story. I really really enjoyed this.

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy of this book!

The first page of this book sucked me in, and I knew immediately that I was in for an emotional ride. I loved how the author handled all the complex topics that very much occurred (and continue to occur) during this period. Overall, I enjoyed the entire story, and I can't wait to see what's next for Kyle Lee Baker!

4.25 stars

4.5 rounded up

This book lived up to the hype for sure! I wasn’t too sure of what to expect going into this one and I was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely recommend this to horror loving friends in the future!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, by Kylie Lee Baker: 🦇 Book Review 🦇

Genre
Horror
Multicultural Interest
Mystery Suspense
Paranormal Horror
Literary Horror Fiction

Tropes & Themes
Dystopian Society
“The end of the world”
Hatred & Fear
Racism in America
Serial Killer
FMC has intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and depression
Grief
Death and Dying
Deadpan, Dark Humor
Hungry Ghost Festival

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, a literary horror work by Kylie Lee Baker, is a provocative read, as shocking as it is gorey. Each scene is vividly detailed, the author painting a bleak picture of a dystopian world during the pandemic, especially so for anyone of Eastern-Asian descent.

Cora is a Chinese-American crime scene cleaner living in Chinatown, NYC. She is traumatized after witnessing a gruesome racially motivated attack against her sister Delilah — during the pandemic — that took her life. Furthermore, Cora is the victim herself of harassment and assault, stirring my feelings of empathy for the characters because although this is fictionalized, it’s not much different from real life, especially the uptick of crimes against people of Asian descent and the dehumanizing suggestion that the origin of the virus was from an exotic wet-market serving up bat dinner — a ludicrous hypothesis that was only recently debunked. The general fear of the virus at the time and the uncertainty of the future is captured by the author and comes rushing back as you read, with dark humor interjected in between. Horror elements include the paranormal and a serial killer, set against the backdrop of NYC during the pandemic. The paranormal elements were my favorite and I loved the inclusion of The Hungry Ghost Festival, adding multicultural interest. It reminded me of a similar Pagan tradition of Dinner with the Dead, complete with empty chairs reserved for the ghostly guests of honor, and altars lovingly decorated for the deceased. I loved that Cora and her crime scene cleaner friends bonded during this moment and became closer because of it. Cora is a character who you want to see succeed. You can’t help but to empathize with her.

The ending chapters had me at the edge of my seat, with jaw-dropping revelations and stunning twists. Highly recommended to fans of horror with gore and paranormal elements.

That was an absolutely brilliant story, I don't usually gravitate towards horror but because I love this author so much I've decided to give it a try and OMG, that was so worth it. This story is phenomenal, so creepy and chilling. I could never predict or guess what would happen next, and it was such an exhilarating read because of it. Each time I've thought I knew where the story was going I was proven wrong. It kept me on my toes through all of it. Truly a masterpiece.

Where do I even start with this? I read another reviewer say that this book was a mixture of crime, ghost, and literary fiction (and for some reason that wasn't for them?! but it is RIGHT up my alley) and I think that is an accurate representation of what to expect from this book.
I loved and hated how incredibly flawed Cora and her friends were. There were times when I wanted to scream at Cora and other times when I couldn't have related more.
I was immediately drawn into this story because of the writing style. It is not something I'm used to in a book that falls into the horror genre and it was quite refreshing.
This book is great for anyone who wants a little social commentary with their horror.

This book is a beautiful (I don’t know if that’s the right word but..) blend of crime horror, cultural elements, and folklore. Its strength lies in the raw portrayal of a girl at her breaking point, torn between survival and supernatural reckoning. It is set during the Covid-19 pandemic, which honestly can be triggering for some. There were moments I had flashbacks of masked strangers and fear of the unknown. If you’re drawn to visceral horror, this one delivers. The ending left me questioning a lot, and this story will stay in my brain for a long time!

This was wild—in the best way. Feels like stepping into a fever dream full of family secrets, horror, and deep emotional undercurrents. The writing is lush, weird, and gave me goosebumps. Cora’s voice is strong and so haunting. I was rooting for her even when I didn’t fully understand the magic yet.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a deeply scary book, on every level. It's gruesome and horrific; it has supernatural horror with images that will live on in my head forever; and, most disturbingly, it delves deep into the horror of what humankind can do to its own. It has wrenching loss and filth and gore and fear, fear, fear, and it is perfect for our times.