Wow. Wow. Wow. This was a dark, gruesome, impactful, chilling, and heartbreaking read. I just finished the book at 2am because I had to know how it ended. The story really packs a punch!

I don’t give many books 5 stars. A story has to really have an impact on me in order for it to be a 5 star, and this book definitely had an impact on me. I loved the writing and I was immersed in the story from the shocking beginning.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book going into it because the story takes place during the Covid pandemic, when everything was crazy and people were filled with paranoia and dread. During this time, there was a rise of hate crimes against East Asians. In this story, East Asian women are being tortured and murdered by an unknown killer. The main character, Cora Zeng, is a crime scene cleaner who ends up cleaning the crime scenes of some of these murders. In the beginning of the story, Cora’s sister was murdered by an unknown assailant, which left Cora with trauma, fear, and heartbreak. Cora starts to think that her sister’s murder could be tied to these other murders against East Asian women.

This story is gory. The gore is very descriptive, so just be aware in case you don’t like gore in books. The gore in this story didn’t feel like it was there for shock value and I think it added to the story.

There were some really chilling and scary scenes in this book! Cora is haunted by her sister who has turned into a hungry ghost. I’ve heard of hungry ghosts before but it was interesting to learn more about these supernatural beings.

I definitely recommend reading this book. It was a powerful read. The story shows just how despicable humans can be against one another. It shows the racism and hate against other cultures that pervades in our society. It shows how trauma can slowly eat away at you and cause you to become broken. It also shows how you can overcome trauma.

I will definitely be reading more from this author. The writing was engaging and thought-provoking. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC of this book via NetGalley for review.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I don't know where to start with this review. This is one of the best books I have ever read and is easily on my favorite of all time list. Per the usual I'm not going to go into detail about the synopsis in my review.

This is a heartbreaking story, all the way through. That's what I want you to know before you pick it up. This is a truly heartbreaking story for many different reasons but should be read and heard and felt. There is one scene (many) in particular that I will never forget or get out of my head. At the same time I was scared, horrified, intrigued, sad, and almost to tears. ALL I N ONE SCENE. That shows the depth of this book. Every word, every sentence, every character, packs a punch. The writing is crafty, humorous, dark, real, raw, gruesome, and so much more.

This is a very graphic story and not for the faint of heart. This should in no way be an intro horror. The body horror and graphic content is in everything. To balance that out, we get dark humor and a strong found family through a group of co-workers and friends. I wish I had the words to communicate how special the relationships within this book are.

That brings me to my next point, I'm not sure how to write a review for a book like this. I just really urge you to give it a try. There are a lot of potential triggers in this story and it's one that deserves to be heard just take care of yourself while you read it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It's December 2024 right now, but I'm already claiming this as 2025's best horror release. Kylie nailed the transition from YA fantasy to adult horror.

MC Cora Zeng is a Chinese-American crime scene cleaner during the height of the pandemic. She watches her sister's brutal, racism-fueled murder and begins seeing terrifying hungry ghosts, all while facing the ugly, unique breed of racism that we all witnessed during COVID as an Asian woman in NYC. There's a hunt for a serial killer of Chinese women that reveals the depth of systemic racism in the city. I just cannot recommend this enough.

Wow.

This book is so horrifying in the most realistic way. Bat Eater follows Cora Zeng at the height of COVID. Cora feels like an outsider, not Chinese enough for one side of family and not white enough for the other. While Cora tries to placate both of her aunts, she is also dealing with the gruesome death of her sister.

Cora lives in New York and works as a crime scene cleaner. More and more bodies of young Asian women are being found with bats left at the scene of the crime. No doubt stemming from the increased racism and hate due to the “China virus”. On top of all of that, it’s hungry ghost month and Cora has one following her.

This book is so well written and horrifying with some genuinely happy moments sprinkled throughout. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of horror and is interested in learning more about Chinese folklore.

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This book sunk its hooks in me from page one and I consider it one of my top reads of 2024. Bat Eater is a gruesome and grueling read, a gem of a contemporary horror novel, skillfully using tension, terror, trauma and true events to weave the story a Cora, a young woman struggling with her demons, her situation, and her heritage, during COVID in NYC.

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due is an important horror novel that uses a compelling storyline of ghosts and monstrous humans to expose the dark side of racism in the American south. Bat Eater is equally important, describing the dark time when the fear of COVID was politically weaponized against Asian Americans.

Cora was struggling with her situation before COVID. She has mental health issues, a mother who has left her for a cult, a father who moved back to China, a love/hate relationship with her half-sister, Delilah, and two aunts pulling her in different directions. The book opens with the horrific murder of Delilah, by a white man who calls her a "bat eater" and then shoves her into an oncoming train.

Bat Eater and the Other Names for Cora Zeng is a ghost story, a murder mystery, a found family novel and a social commentary. It is an incredible read.

Cora’s story was absolutely binge-worthy! This was the first book I’ve ever read set in a current event that was still fresh in my memory. Loved the authors descriptive writing style! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was fantastic. Big thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this. I couldn’t put this book down. It was a beautiful mix of social commentary, horror, the supernatural, crime, and suspense. I hope Baker continues to write and publish.

Set in 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic and the rise of anti-Asian rhetoric and hate crimes Cora experiences/witnesses a traumatizing loss that sends her already spiraling mental health off-kilter. She spends every day merely trying to maintain her life and in NYC surrounded by millions of people, but feeling utterly alone, unwanted, and unmoored. Then she started seeing things in her apartment. Having no choice but to depend on her two also-loners co-worker, Cora finds friendship and finds her personal strength. But can she find a killer?

Cora and her sister Delilah are two chinese women waiting for the subway when a white man pushes Delilah into the train and screams "bat eater." Cora is left to deal with this traumatic event while constantly experiencing racism in New York City.

There's a lot to be talked about here. This book takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic which is a year that was significant in most people's lives. We can't talk about covid without also acknowledging asian hate and the way asians were treated during the pandemic. This is an incredible horror book that deals with grief, sisterhood, racism, and finding friendships and hope through it all.

Thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for the e-arc.

I was so not expecting this to be as dark and graphic as it was! The horrors and the way Chinese Americans were treated during the pandemic were truly appalling and this book captures the ever-present racism so well. Seriously though, it's dark. That can't be understated.

Racism is an ever-present reality for Asians (and other marginalized groups) in America, but when the pandemic hit, the level of blame and hatred against Asian people skyrocketed. The shocking murder that happens at the beginning of this book is directly related to that racist violence.

Cora, a Chinese-American, is a germaphobe and cleans up crime scenes for a living. And lately, the crimes are all of East Asian women, like Cora, like the sister she had who was called "bat eater" right before she was murdered.

It is also time to prepare for the Hungry Ghost festival, as Cora's aunt keeps reminding her, but things like a killer on the loose and germs everywhere might take priority.

Cora is such a great main character, she's got flaws of course, but I admire her tenacity. Her two coworkers became so much more than I expected, and the fantasy and horror were so well blended.

I absolutely loved The Scarlet Alchemist duology and after reading this contemporary horror story, Kylie Lee Baker has moved to my auto-buy list.

This book is viscerally gory and deeply unsettling, capturing the racism East Asians faced during the pandemic with unflinching realism. At the same time, it’s genuinely spooky, with chilling ghostly elements like the haunting presence of Delilah and eerie moments such as the two priests speaking to Cora in the crypt.

One of the standout aspects of the story is the endearing relationship Cora forms with her crime scene cleaning workmates. Their camaraderie and support play a pivotal role in helping Cora navigate the emotional and supernatural task of settling her sister’s hungry ghost.

Cora’s character is particularly compelling. She battles her inner demons and shows significant growth in overcoming learned helplessness. Though there are moments where she doubts herself and feels like a “mess-up,” her resilience shines through. Small but powerful acts—like taking on the crime scene cleaning job, standing up to the journalist, and feeding her sister an orange from the fridge—show her reclaiming her identity and voice. These moments illustrate her courage and determination to face her fears and assert herself.

The book also offers sharp commentary on the racism and sexism that Asian women endure, particularly their fetishization and dehumanization. I appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from addressing these harsh realities, making the story resonate even more deeply.

Overall, this is an incredible horror-crime novel that leaves its mark on the genre with its unforgettable blend of gore, social commentary, and emotional depth. Highly recommended for fans of horror with substance.


Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the ARC.

I truly liked and appreciated this story. It was and still is upsetting that this is how Chinese Americans were treated during and after the 2020 pandemic. It's scary that this is all very real. They were treated so poorly and isolated and seen as other. this story was very chilling and telling how we can turn on one another so quickly and when looking deeper this book looks into how Asian women are treated as disposable.

I will read everything Kylie Lee Baker writes, and I loved this - truly. However, this is her first adult book, and her first horror and I know some people that won't be for everyone. It is significantly more graphic than her YA titles. I think the choice to switch covers was a good one.

I tend to consume most of my horror/true crime as TV/movies so I can't say I'm well-versed in literary horror, but I enjoyed this.

For me, The Scarlet Alchemist is still my favorite, but this is probably second out of Baker's books.

Had both paranormal elements and a hunt for a serial killer which I loved. I think I really enjoyed that piece because there were moments when you were unsure if it was really happening, esp with references to Cora's past, but it didn't get annoying in a I can't believe anything narrator is telling me way. I would have loved to learn more about Cora and her time locked up, but I'm not sure it would have fit naturally into this story. Also, would have loved to know more about the mom's cult.

I really like Kylie Lee Baker, I find her stories to alway be gripping, interesting and overall well developed. I like this one a lot because I feel like it was a shift in genre which allowed for me to see her in a new light which I enjoyed greatly. Her writing transferred over to the new genre flawlessly and she continues to be a favorite of mine and an author I will continue to support.

It sounds like a murder mystery. It is a murder mystery, but grisly with guts and ghosts.

At its core, this book is a stark reminder of how Chinese Americans were and still are treated concerning the 2020 outbreak. To take a step further it also dives into how Asian women in particular are viewed and treated in general, like disposable dolls. Something less than human. Now, if you want more insight into this specific discussion, I suggest finding a review written by someone of that demographic.

I found this was a great story on how fear has this incredible power and finding it within yourself to overcome those fears and take back your life. I love a book that teaches me something and getting a look into Chinese tradition and lore on ghosts. I truly believe you can tell a lot about a culture on how they honor their dead.

The serial killings are the main focus of the book but the haunting is what propels it and I personally found it unsettling. You get treated to these grisly crime scene descriptions, but the creatures watching from the shadows are what truly sets the tone. Has a great supporting cast with their own stories and shortcomings, but they strengthen the story and add just the right amount of emotional connection. I loved that there are moments of brightness and humor despite the bleakness.

🦇 Book Review 🦇

Holy hell. This was a lot to process as this horror is rife with social commentary. Set at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we follow Cora Zeng as she deals with an absolutely horrifying experience (ya'll, my jaw was on the floor and my stomach was queasy within the first few pages). Traumatized and lost, we later follow Cora as she navigates her new job as a crime scene cleaner, the demands of her aunts, and the upcoming preparations for the Hungry Ghost Festival. If that isn't enough, she starts to realize all of her recent cleanups at her job have been of East Asian women in Chinatown.

This is part true crime and part ghost story. Kylie Lee Baker covers a lot in here and this story centers around racism and sinophobia with the demonization of Asians during the pandemic and the rise of Asian hate. It also delves into mental illness and anxiety, exacerbated by the fears of an unknown virus. And to top it all off, it also explores Cora's struggles with identity as a biracial Asian American.

This is not for the faint of heart. I was deeply disturbed by some scenes and gruesome descriptions and had to skim a page or two. I think the scariest and most disturbing thing about this story is that these sentiments and scenarios are very very real and exist in our world. It wasn't long ago when a mass shooting took place at three Atlanta spas with primarily Asian staff members and our nation's leaders were giving the COVID virus xenophobic nicknames. This book is heavy and shocking and gory, but there are still moments of joy in Cora's unlikely friendships with her coworkers and her hold-no-punches Aunt Zeng. Still, I would strongly encourage readers to check content warnings. To those that proceed, don't miss the heartfelt Author's Note at the end.

Thank you to @netgalley and @_mira_books_ for the e-ARC. @kylieleebaker 's horror novel comes out in April 2025.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker is a darkly captivating and inventive tale that blends folklore, identity, and self-discovery. Baker’s sharp prose and unique storytelling create a hauntingly beautiful world where Cora must navigate her past, her power, and the complexities of who she is. A must-read for fans of gripping, atmospheric fantasy with deep emotional layers.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng will introduce you to a world where the visceral and the ethereal bleed into one another, creating a compelling narrative steeped in trauma, cultural mythology, and existential dread. Cora Zeng, a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown, is our unflinching protagonist. Haunted by the traumatic murder of her sister, Delilah, who was pushed in front of a train, Cora grapples with her own version of reality, as well as the ghosts—both literal and metaphorical—that linger in her life.
The novel begins with a chilling and disconcerting premise. Cora’s occupation, which involves cleaning the remnants of violently brutal scenes, serves as a profound backdrop for her unresolved grief and psychological turmoil. Instead of the gore, it’s the everyday horrors—like the germs on a subway railing or the strangers she encounters—that truly terrify her. The phrase “bat eater,” hurled by the murderer in her sister’s death, reverberates throughout the story, morphing into a shadowy symbol that propels Cora into turmoil as she tries to decipher the threat that looms over her.
One of the standout features of this book is its ability to blend crime fiction with elements of supernatural horror. The narrative skillfully interweaves Chinese lore surrounding the Hungry Ghost Festival, where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur. Cora's aversion to acknowledging her feelings and heritage deepens the story, as her refusal to engage with the ghosts of her past leads to a chilling realization: ignoring their existence only heightens their presence. The author expertly builds suspense, using the reoccurring bat carcasses found at the crime scenes as a metaphor for Cora’s suppressed grief and unacknowledged fears.
Cora’s struggles with mental health are poignantly portrayed, as her obsessive focus on her personal hygiene and the fear of contamination parallels her emotional state. This tension between her internal fears and the external chaos creates a rich psychological portrait that is both engaging and unsettling. The narrative navigates issues of cultural identity, familial expectations, and the heaviness of personal trauma, making Cora a deeply relatable and multi-dimensional character.
Overall, this was a remarkable read. It melds horror and crime fiction while examining the intricacies of grief, culture, and the unseen burdens that haunt us. With lyrical prose and a deeply sympathetic protagonist, the author invites readers to explore not only the mysteries of death but also the oppressive weight of unresolved feelings. It’s a chilling reminder that while we may try to clean up the messes left behind, the past has a way of refusing to stay buried.

Wow. I held my breath during the onslaught of the first chapter. The adult horror novel is set in New York during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cora Zeng and her sister Delilah, recently laid off due to the pandemic, are out buying supplies and waiting on a train when a man suddenly screams “Bat Eater!” and pushes Delilah in front of the oncoming train. Delilah is killed immediately and Cora is left stunned and traumatized by the horrific scene. After this, Cora begins working as a crime scene cleaner despite her fears of germs and uncleanliness. She becomes friends with her coworkers and trudges on with her life. They continue to clean up crime scenes of East Asian women which oddly include bats on the scene and fear a serial killer is on the loose. She continues going to church with her aunt who is paying her student loans, but she ignores the advice from her other aunt to prepare for the Hungry Ghost Festival. She exists and moves from one thing to another until she sees a hungry ghost herself and everything changes. Cora grapples with trauma, regret, shame, unresolved feelings, inability to hope for the future, fear, and racism.

The novel is dark and gruesome. I almost stopped reading several times and this is because of the many gory depictions. This is not the typical book I would read, but I’m glad I didn’t stop reading. I learned so much. This book is thought-provoking in all the right ways. From the author’s note: “ 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.” Overall, I loved it and I thank the author for this important book. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

All I can say is WOW! Wow, wow, wow, This book was absolutely incredible. What a commentary on white supremacy, I learned and unlearned so much while reading this. It was eerie and chilling and also somehow so real. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. Check trigger warnings—it is horror and there is gore.