Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng 🦇

Thanks @netgalley and @kylieleebaker for this ARC!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng comes out later this month.

Synopsis:

In this explosive horror novel, a woman is haunted by inner trauma, hungry ghosts, and a serial killer as she confronts the brutal violence experienced by East Asians during the pandemic.

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.

Reviews:
I really enjoyed this book! I will say if you have any type of anxiety that makes you want to clean or wash your hands- this can be a hard read. I actually took a break in the middle of it.
I loved the ghosts and the tension of the last 20% had me unable to stop reading. It was creepy! I was hesitant to pick up a book about the pandemic, but I ended up not minding the setting. It definitely added to the horror of the novel and the uncertainty that the characters would be feeling.

Has anyone else read this yet? If not, are you looking to pick it up once it comes out?

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a complimentary early release copy of Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker.

I am intrigued by Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng! The premise of the book is interesting. I was drawn in due to the crime scene cleaner part of the story. I’ve read a lot of thriller/horror novels but surprisingly I don’t see a lot of crime scene cleaner story elements involved in them. The pacing of the story was good, there was always something going on that kept me invested in the story. I found the story to be equally in parts thrilling and horrifying. I didn’t know how things were going to play out with the hungry ghost aspects but I was pleasantly suprised with those horror elements! The hungry ghost elements were some of my favorite scenes throughout this novel. I also really enjoyed these characters and how their friendships evolved during the story. I liked the ending of the novel but there were a few things that I wished were played out just a little bit more differently.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is deep, timely plunge into the rage of exploitation, racism, power inequality, and community fragmentation that characterized some pandemic experiences. Set in NYC in 2020 and 2021, the reader is thrust into the anxiety of the COVOD-19 crisis, further heightened by hungry ghosts and a serial killer targeting young Asian women. Cora is neurodivergent, traumatized by a life changing event at the start of the novel. She's left to cope with surviving in the pandemic urban landscape, barely making ends meet as a crime scene cleaner. As the blood and bats carcasses pile up, Cora must confront all of her many fears and anxieties, and finally find her voice and power. In a vein similar to Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zang uses horror to show both the vulnerability of young women when they find themselves in situations beyond their control---and the power they harness to change their lives and their circumstances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for the advanced reader copy. As always, all opinions expressed were exclusively my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I love a good social commentary horror and I love Kylie’s writing. There was so much Asian discrimination going on during Covid and I’m so glad there are books that can discuss that. I’m looking forward to more from this author!

This horror novel is perfectly gory and well-paced. Bat Eater is an examination of Sinophobia, grief, and mental illness all rolled into a superb ghost story. Baker excels at writing the reader into Cora’s mind and immersing us into the thick of the trauma. Bat Eater is serial killer mystery that finishes strong, this unique story is not to be missed!

Overall: 3.5/5
Narration: 4/5

Big thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC—I truly enjoyed the narration and thought the narrator did a fantastic job capturing Cora’s inner turmoil and grief. She also showed strength in creating a strong distinction between the surrounding characters in the book. In my opinion this would make for a great audiobook listen on its own. Though, as an immersive reader, I always recommend pairing the audio with the physical/digital book for the full experience.

Now, this story starts off with a bang—and I mean that literally. Cora and her sister Delilah are on a subway platform when Delilah is shoved in front of an oncoming train by a stranger. The attack is sudden, brutal, and vivid. This read doesn’t fall short in bringing you a lot of gory and visceral scenes that I think definitely make this a solid entry into horror for the author. We then follow Cora as she tries to process this loss and lives in the shadow of her someone’s death. Some readers have said they found Cora dull or overshadowed by Delilah, even in death, but I think that was intentional. This story captures the weight of grief and trauma. Especially an experiencing that kind of loss without justice. As readers, it also place an importance not forgetting Delilah or what happened to her.

I think the author made a unique and interesting choice by making Cora crime scene cleaner. It introduces great conversation on her relationship with brutality and death. Both desensitized to it and traumatized by it. It’s while doing this work that she begins to notice a disturbing pattern—East Asian women are being killed, their bodies left behind with strange calling cards: bats. (Here I’ll remind you that this book doesn’t hold back in being visceral and descriptive.) Cora begins to think that the killer may be the same person who murdered her sister! The same killer whose final words were “bat eater” as they fled the scene some time ago.

I don’t think I’ll be alone in saying that the gore, thrill, and suspense of the serial killer wasn’t my favorite part. But what stood out most to me wasn’t those traditional horror elements—it was the real-life horror this book shines a light on. This book holds up a mirror to the rise in anti-Asian sentiment, particularly against East Asian communities, following the COVID pandemic. The commentary is sharp and necessary. It reminded me of the treatment of Muslim and Arab communities post-9/11—how a wave of misinformation, hate, and scapegoating created long-lasting wounds that still haven’t healed. The book doesn't shy away from showing how violence can be both physical and systemic, and how society often refuses to hold itself accountable.

The title Bat Eater is brilliant in this context—highlighting the dehumanization of Asian people, and forcing readers to look at how quickly cruelty can become normalized. This is a horror story, yes—but as the author notes, the biggest horror is that it reflects a reality many are still living in. While I do think a lot of readers will be frustrated by the end, there’s a deliberate weight to the lack of justice and accountability that so many communities of color know too well.

Now, you might be wondering why I gave it 3.5 stars instead of 4 or 5 if I liked the concept that much. Well, I had to big annoyances about the book. First, the book reads like a YA novel despite its heavy themes and gory content. I don’t mind YA at all, but the dialogue and reactions sometimes felt too young for the tone the book was going for. Second, after such a gripping beginning, the middle of the book started to drag. The book starts off with this horrendous action and put the reader on edge, hoping to uncover who is behind this. It transitions to a point where there’s a lot of repetition—Cora finds another body, and another—and while I understand the need to emphasize the ongoing threat, the pacing felt uneven. Things only really picked up again toward the end and I would’ve preferred a more consistent pace throughout.

That said, I still recommend this book, especially for readers looking for horror that does more than just scare—it informs. Anyone reading this will surely leave with something! Something to think about further and something to enjoy.

I agree with so many readers before me, this is WILD. I was very excited by the premise and the execution did not disappoint. As a horror novel and a discussion of racism, it was fantastic.

I really enjoyed this book! I love how the author blends horror with social commentary, she gets straight to the point and does not stray away from the unfortunate things that happen in this world. Although some of the topics were hard to read (such as the racism towards asian people, the fetishization of asian women, police brutality) I felt they were important topics to discuss. She does not shy away from the ugly nature of the world and I can appreciate that. I also grew attached to the characters and was ultimately heartbroken by the end. The blend of paranormal horror and the actual horror of these crimes worked very well for me! The only main issue I had at first was the pacing but that resolved as I got towards 40% of the book. As far as the format, I noticed there were spaces after some words that contained the letter F ( for example, the word floor would be typed as f loor) I am not sure if this was a choice made on purpose by the author or if it just was just the format of the e-galley, but I figured I’d mention it just in case. This was truly a horror book that surprised me in many ways and I’m glad I was able to read it.

An unforgettable and dark novel as Baker smashes into adult horror. Unforgettable and another triumph to add to her bibliography.

<u>Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zheng</u>
Kylie Lee Baker
Publication Date: April 29,2025

ARC provided by Harlequin and NetGalley.

Cora Zheng saw her sister, Delilah, killed before her eyes, pushed into the path of an incoming train. “Bat eater,” shouted the killer. Two words concretizing the Asian hate rampant during Covid.

Kylie Lee Baker tackles racism and hate head-on in this novel, paralleled by the terror of Covid and germophobia, along with supernatural horror with ghosts and the very creepy Hungry Ghost Festival.

The writing is very engaging; I was hooked from the get-go. There was a bit of a lag midway, but soon picks up to an unrelenting, nail biting conclusion. Darkly humorous, I feel the comp to SGJ is appropriate. Should appeal to fans of Grady Hendrix as well.

I look forward to her next novel.

3.5 stars

<i>Closing your eyes doesn’t stop monsters from devouring you.</i>

Baker's prose grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. Dark, heady and viscerally atmospheric, this pandemic-set folklore horror combines elements of humor, grief and cultural identity to pull off something unforgettable. one of my best reads this year.

At its best, horror is powerful tool for holding up a mirror to our internal selves and the society we live in. This book is horror at its best. A story about deep grief, identity, and anti-Asian racism in the wake of Covid. But also a gripping, page-turning, enthralling book.

At the start of the pandemic, Cora Zeng loses her sister in a hate crime. Now working as a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown, Cora is drawn into a string of gruesome murders—and haunted by her sister, who may be guiding her toward the killer.

Cinematically scary (yes, jump scares and nightmare ghosts included) with real serial killer horror vibes. But also: a powerful, emotional story rooted in grief, identity, and the impact of anti-Asian racism. Chinese folklore weaves seamlessly into the mystery, and Cora’s emotional growth feels raw and authentic.

Final verdict: Equal parts terrifying and heartbreaking. I was scared, I was almost in tears, I was obsessed. Favourite read of the year—hands down. Give to anyone who asks for a good scary story.

I did not expect to be so completely pulled into this book. As someone who usually lives in the dark romance space, this horror novel still hit all the emotional and visceral marks I crave—but in a hauntingly different way.

Bat Eater surprised me, not just with its chilling gore (seriously, the first crime scene’s sickening crunch still lives rent-free in my brain), but with the raw, aching portrayal of Cora’s relationship with herself. This is a story about trauma, grief, identity, and how we carry pain in our bones. It's not just about monsters in the shadows—it's about the ones we feed inside us too.

Cora is a fierce, fractured FMC you feel. Her anxiety is sharp and suffocating, her grief is crushing, and her determination? Unrelenting. While some of the internal monologue slowed me down a bit, it was honest and deeply human. Her journey is complex, dark, and so deeply personal that I found myself connecting with her on levels beyond culture or circumstance.

The pandemic backdrop adds another layer of dread—one that feels all too familiar—and seeing it explored from the lens of a Chinese American woman makes it powerful and important. And can we talk about the horror elements? Gritty. Atmospheric. Unsettling in the best way. Kylie Lee Baker does not shy away from gore, and her descriptive writing is stunningly vivid.

This book is psychological horror meets cultural reckoning. The ghosts? They’re real. But so is the trauma. So is the grief. So is the rage.

Trigger warnings are a must—this story goes dark. But if you're ready to face that darkness, Bat Eater is a haunting experience you won't forget.

I’m not usually one to intentionally pick up a horror-thriller/mystery-literary fiction, but the synopsis and cover(s) for this one piqued my interest, and I’m so glad I decided to take the risk and request the ARC and ALC.

This is an equally grotesque and impactful portrayal of COVID times, brimming with palpable grief, horror, and rage. The story is so gripping, and the narrator’s stellar performance only enhances the thrill. The pacing is impeccable, at times having me gasp aloud in horror and other times pacing in circles, eagerly awaiting Cora’s next discovery.

To the last page, including the author’s note, I was completely captivated. I believe this is a story everyone should read/listen to.

I loved how the author explored the themes of anti-Asian hate crimes in COVID - a very tough time for people who identify as Asian, and she perfectly captured that in this novel!

This was my very first horror novel and I really enjoyed it. I read along with the audio and really enjoyed the narrator.

As someone who lived through the COVID-19 pandemic this story was so relatable in so many ways.

The FMC, Cora, loses her sister tragically and has to learn how to navigate life without her. Jobs were hard to come by during the pandemic, especially for Chinese Americans who were treated terribly. She ends up working for a crime clean up crew and stumbles upon a pattern of killings that resemble those of a serial killer. Cora and her friends try to figure out who is behind the murders of several women and a man of Asian descent. The suspense of their search kept me intrigued.

There's a paranormal twist with lots of gore and a little dark humor. This was definitely different than anything I've ever read before and do recommend if you're in to dark and gory stories.

This story deals with racism, misogyny, murder, grief and other topics that may be difficult for some so please check your trigger warnings.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker was a surprising read for me, at no point did I know where this story was going. I was in the mood for something on the darker side when I picked this book up, but this dealt with a lot more then I was expecting from racism to other sides of COVID-19 that I as a white woman never had even thought of.

We follow Cora Zeng and the aftermath of having seen her sister be pushed in front of a train with the words ‘bat eater’ being all that is said by the killer. From there we learn more about the Hungry Ghost Festival which Cora herself isn’t sure she believes but when a string of murders happens specifically targeting East Asian woman and other mysterious things start happening to Cora specifically, she is forced to wonder if her sister is truly gone.

I will admit the beginning part of the book for me was a little slow, but it is necessary as it builds up who Cora is as a person, while the last 50% of the book was just non-stop things happening and new questions popping up. This book touches upon what people who are Asian had to face during the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased racism and targeted attacks, the lack of support and help from police or anyone else in the government and much more. Just for this reason alone I believe it is an important read.

This book is a solid 4 stars from me and I can’t wait to see what else the author writes!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an excellent and timely story about the terrifying and harsh reality of violence and hatred towards Asian people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cora was a vulnerable and relatable narrator, a lost, unemployed millenial who finds work as a crime scene cleaner after her sister's murder. This book was especially impactful being set in NYC, where I live. A superb book that deserves a lot of accolades.

After Cora Zeng’s sister is killed in a hate crime, she becomes haunted by her ghost. Around the city East Asian women are being killed and it is up to Cora to find out what is happening.

I think Kylie Lee Baker is an excellent writer. I have loved pretty much everything she has written. The beginning of this book sucks you in. It’s creepy and brings a supernatural take in COVID. This plot was extremely unique and brought attention to so many issues including racism, cultural identity, and mental health. I thought the characters were engaging, and the mystery at the center of the story really kept my attention.

While there are so many good things about this book, I found the last bit a little disappointing and unsatisfactory. I felt like there was no resolution and the book just ended. Also, the creepy factor that made me so interested in this book was not consistent throughout.

Rating: 3⭐️ This book had a lot of potential, but fell flat towards the end. I found the end to be very jumbled either so many plot points that did not feel fleshed out. I think this book has a lot of potential, but you should definitely check it out, at least the beginning part of it where the author really shines.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,