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,

Dark, disturbing, scary with an undercurrent of black humour. It kept me on the edge and some parts made me feel really afraid as they were so near reality and you had not a lot o ffilter.
Well written and good storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, written by Kylie Lee Baker, is a captivating tale filled with gore and ghosts that will keep you hooked until the very last page. This thrilling story will draw you in and hold your attention from start to finish.

This is a horror book that’s hard-hitting, bloody, and emotionally charged.

Cora is an Asian woman living with the trauma of seeing her sister horrifically die in front of her, all while cleaning up brutal crime scenes for a living. She is also living during the COVID-19 pandemic, and being racially attacked. She is called bat eater, and ch*nk, and has to endure hate being spewed at her. And as she wrestles with her sister, the ghosts, and herself, Cora find the courage to say the hard truths to herself, and admit she needs help from those she trusts the most.

What is powerful about this novel is how visceral Cora’s trauma is felt by the reader. Baker writes in such a way that you can feel Cora’s deep-seated trauma, and desperately want her to get help and heal. You also experience intense anger at the ignorant and racist people Cora comes across-something that is/was not just confined to the pandemic.

Baker brings us into the world of what it means be an Asian American living during a time that they were blamed for a virus spreading around the world-something they had no control over. Coinciding with this is the slew of murders happening in Chinatown in New York City-all Asian Americans. The author does not hold back on the viciousness of the crime-laying out in full display the hideousness of the motive behind it. It becomes clear why it is being done, and Cora, and her co-workers must wrestle with that truth. That, in turn, makes us, the reader, wrestle with the anger and rage we feel because of what is happening.

Baker has written one heck of a horror novel that embodies the most terrifying things-our own monsters of racism, prejudice, and supposed racial superiority. We are the demons that hurt and maim those who are different than us. Question is-what will we do about it?

I really enjoyed this book, it was thrilling and horrific and to me hit all the beats of a good horror novel. That being said, I do feel that some of the things that occured later in the novel were a bit much and made me drop my rating from a 5 to a 4, though I still highly recommend it.

⭐️4.5⭐️

This story follows Cora Zeng, a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown who is haunted by the horrific murder of her sister, Delilah. While also dealing with the pandemic and the presence of her sister’s hungry ghost lurking in the shadows, Cora notices the markings of a serial killer targeting Asian women.

This book was fantastic. It touched on a lot of important, heavy topics without losing its fantastic paranormal horror story. This story explores themes of grief and mental illness while also shining a spotlight on the intense Sinophobia and the rise of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baker perfectly blends supernatural horror elements with the real-world horrors of racial violence. There’s so much horror laced throughout this book. From the violent and graphic descriptions of death to the haunting imagery of the ghosts stalking Cora, it was such a crazy ride the entire way through. A must-read for horror fans.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and while I typically struggle with books that focus on the pandemic, I feel this one is an important read. It paints a whole new level of horror that I believe to be an honest look at the racism experienced from the pandemic. It’s a tough read, so please make sure to check the trigger warnings before picking it up.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the approval of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

With a setting during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 in NYC, Baker does an excellent job encapsulating the emptiness of the streets and subway and the fear and anxiety felt, and she uses that to further perpetuate the haunted feeling throughout the novel. The first third of the book is a bit slow, but once it picks up, it doesn’t stop. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng highlights the dangerous anti-Asian & anti-Chinese sentiment and propaganda that was (and continues to be) spewed. Baker doesn’t shy away from exploring how this translates into the potential of and actual acts of violence from anti-Asian/anti-Chinese rhetoric and adds to the immense anxiety, isolation, and despair Cora feels living as a Chinese-American woman. The horror elements were beautifully done, and this novel does a great job balancing horror, socio-political topics, and recounting living through a pandemic in the modern era.

this was so haunting and obviously carried some very symbolic parallels to the mental, societal and racial impact of COVID-19.

the first half of the story had me gripped and quickly turning the pages to find out what happens but around the 75% mark, i couldn’t really tell what the story was about anymore.

overall, i think this book sheds an important light on mental health & community during times of crisis specifically in regards to AAPI. I thought Cora was a very tangible character despite her unique field of work and I could relate to a lot of her inner thoughts and ways of processing the world.

trigger warning for body horror and gore

thank you to the author, the hive influencer group and harlequin trade pub for the arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌

4.5-Star ARC Review: Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker

I was highly anticipating Bat Eater, and I’m beyond thrilled to have received an ARC—huge thanks to the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first introduction to Kylie Lee Baker’s work, and it absolutely won’t be my last. Bat Eater is dark, fierce, and wholly original—steeped in mythology, blood, and power. Baker’s prose is razor-sharp and lyrical, with worldbuilding that feels both mythic and deeply personal. From the very first chapter, I was hooked.

The main character is compelling and complex—haunted by her past, shaped by vengeance, and constantly walking the line between survival and sacrifice. The themes of identity, legacy, and reclaiming power are woven in with such care that they never feel heavy-handed, just raw and resonant.

Baker doesn’t shy away from violence or pain, but every moment serves the story. The pacing was tight, the twists hit hard, and the emotional depth surprised me in all the right ways. If I’m being picky, there were a couple moments where I wanted just a little more clarity in the lore—but overall, this book delivered everything I hoped for and more.

Bat Eater is brutal, beautiful, and utterly immersive. I’m so glad I got to read it early, and I cannot wait to dive into more of Kylie Lee Baker’s work.

This deliciously haunting horror tale is worth every bite into the pages. You begin right in the action with Cora Zeng and get acquainted with the beauty of the third person. We are seeing Chinatown through Cora’s eyes or are we really? I fell in love with how descriptive this tale is and how the senses are utilized to describe the dead. It may be macabre but I find it so creative how well integrated the senses are because we can see the dead, hear the dead, smell the dead, touch the dead, and taste the dead in a tale.
Learn about the Hungry Ghost Festival and how this is culturally important! It has me thinking if the ghosts are truly hungry or are we manifesting our own desires we have yet to satiate! Furthermore, this tale shows us how culture is intwined in our bones, our way of being, and our psyche.
The way we view the world is through our cultural experiences. Our world can fall apart at the hands of racism, a global pandemic, and being constrained to the normalcy of society.
Breaking away from normalcy is how this book comes to fruition. This new normal defined by COVID is a great manifestation of the horrors it forced into our society. New York City was the perfect setting because of how unruly COVID is in larger cities. Each time we come across someone we never know if they are going to pass us something that they scapegoated the Asian community for. This is a tale about taking accountability and decolonizing the ideas that are forced upon our daily lives.
This is inventive, speculative, and a new flavor to horror. How are we haunted by our society and why do we let it permeate our way of being? There is much to discuss from this tale and how we allow society to make the rules without diverse input. In this bleak environment we need to think about the impact society has on diversity and why it impedes future advancements. This is a MUST buy! Run to stock your shelves and grab a bite with an eerie novel. Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

A Bloody soaked- emotional roller coaster
that will stick with you for a while.

Such powerful, poetic writing from Kylie Lee Baker. A haunting read full of supernatural horror elements, and real life horrors the Asian community faced during the pandemic. This was one of my anticipated reads for the year and it did not disappoint.

Thank you to Harlequin publishing for the advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review!