Cora Zeng cleans up crime scenes in Chinatown, and finds it far less horrible than when she had witnessed her sister getting pushed in front of a train while being called "bat eater." She is more concerned by germs, viruses and the bare hands of strangers. Reality has also been a little off since her sister's death. As she ignores the upcoming Hungry Ghost Festival, she tries not to focus on the fact that the latest crime scenes she's been cleaning up are all of East Asian women with bats left behind. It's never a good idea to ignore hungry ghosts...

Cora's anxiety and OCD worsened with the pandemic, much like it did for many in that time period when no one knew what was happening. As a half Chinese woman, she was also subject to the incredibly harmful racism that increased in larger cities. She witnessed her sister’s murder in the subway, and tried to avoid thinking about it or acknowledging it. For those steeped in Chinese folklore, this is exactly how hungry ghosts are born. The ghost month means the veil between worlds is thinner, and the hungry ghosts seek fulfillment any way they can.

My heart went out to Cora in the beginning. She thinks so much, and fears her own thoughts and perception. She feels unwanted by both halves of her heritage, but the way she was shuffled between households means she's not exactly wrong, either. She wants so much to belong, yet never felt part of anything. Even with her unconventional profession, she doesn't quite bond with her coworkers at first. As the story progresses and she trusts them more, there's still a reserve due to her own anxiety.

What an interesting story. Totally didn't know what I was going to step into. I had no idea it was about the pandemic. Definitely unique and a must read novel with a real haunting atmosphere. Cora - the dry cleaner turned corpse cleaner - like oh my god is that a thing? And honestly there are moments I'm thinking what in the world is going on but in a really good way. The supernatural vibe was awesome. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Like other people, I avoid reading anything related to COVID because of how close it hits home, but this book was so crazy entertaining and moving that I kept reading.
Cora's messy little family dynamics and the stark contrast between her Auntie Zeng and Auntie Lois, especially with their cultural and religious backgrounds are so interesting to read about. I imagine her Auntie Zeng would have reacted so much differently as her Auntie Lois did in that scene where a stranger spat on her face in a violent act of racism. It's also interesting how she thinks of going to her Auntie Lois when she wants to run away with Yifei instead of her Auntie Zeng because of how her Auntie Lois will probably be "safer" since she is white and lives in a well-to-do neighborhood and would less likely be the victim of the perpetrator(s) of the hate crimes.
I never thought of horror books to be so philosophical, and yet Kylie Lee Baker's way of tackling racism, jealousy, germaphobia (possibly OCD?), and not having dreams about the future is really good and made me highlight a bunch of parts in the book. There are some parts that are quite meandering and feel gratuitous or unneeded, like the author just really wanted to put in something quotable even though it was unnecessary for the scene.
The book has really gory descriptions even outside of scenes related to death and body disposal, so for readers who do not like things like that, you might want to put down this book.
I like Yifei (Coworker 1) and Harvey (Coworker 2) and how their relationships evolve from cordial animosity to something a lot like friendship. Harvey definitely reads as someone who dies first because he's too nosy and Yifie is like the final girl while Cora is the hesitant protagonist who wants nothing to do with all that's happening and just want to lead a normal life.
I also loved the elements of Feminine Rage in the book, and how Cora decides to fight back towards the end. All in all, this book deserves all the horror book prizes and recognition it can get.

Books like this cement the horror trope that the scariest monsters are other human beings.

Just a few years removed from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was uneasy about this book. Hell, I lived through it, so I wasn't sure I wanted to relive the psychological trauma and paranoia. But the treatment that Cora Zeng and her friends experienced was more horrific than any of the body horror gore in this book. And there are plenty of stomach-churning scenes to go around, even beyond Cora being a crime scene cleaner.

I wouldn't say I had a great time with this book - it's a truly unsettling horror story, after all. My heart ached for Cora and what she went through with her sister and what appears to be trauma-induced, undiagnosed OCD. She deserved peace, but the horrors persisted. Luckily, Cora persisted as well, becoming a stronger and more confident woman who helped uncover the killer and corruption behind a string of horrific murders of Asian women.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is unlike any horror novel I've read before. Author Kylie Lee Baker presents an almost lit fic horror story with poignant and elegant prose that makes even the most gruesome scenes sound elegant. It's a must-read for all fans of the horror genre as well as those interested in reading it with a highly relatable story.

I'd been looking forward to this one for awhile and it didn't disappoint. I loved the slow dread that built under your skin throughout, and I love that Cora embraces herself and pushes backa t a world who that is trying to bury her.

This was a horror in a multitude of ways, from the gore to human nature. Set in COVID-19. Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner dealing with obsessions, grief, and complexed family dynamics. The beginning was a bit slow but the narrative is compelling enough where it did not impact the experience. This is a violent, dark story with a strong social commentary about the pandemic, racism and xenophobia that can spark discussions and is worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Kylie Lee Baker’s Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a haunting and visceral journey through grief, identity, and the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of pandemic-era New York City, the novel masterfully intertwines the horrors of reality with elements of Chinese folklore, creating a narrative that’s both timely and timeless.

Cora Zeng, a crime scene cleaner in Chinatown, is grappling with the traumatic loss of her sister, Delilah, who was pushed in front of a train by a stranger shouting “bat eater.” As Cora navigates her grief, she begins to notice disturbing patterns: an increasing number of murdered Asian women, mutilated bat carcasses at crime scenes, and a haunting presence that may be her sister’s hungry ghost .

Baker’s prose is unflinchingly visceral, immersing readers in Cora’s world of anxiety, compulsion, and the macabre. The novel doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutal realities of anti-Asian violence during the pandemic, making it a poignant commentary on societal issues .

For fans of horror that delves deep into the human psyche and societal horrors, Bat Eater is a must-read. It’s a chilling reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying ghosts are the ones we carry within.

This book is now officially in my top 10 books of all time. What a beautifully authentic and raw book about the impact of grief, loneliness, racial tension and anti-Asian racism, all taking place during the events of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a bachelor's degree in East Asian studies, so I have read quite a lot of books in my time with similar themes as this one, and I firmly believe that this book MUST become required reading in university classes pertaining to race, society, global studies, American studies and Asian studies. This is a highly recommended read for anyone looking to begin to understand the impact of the pandemic and beyond through the viewpoint of an Asian-American person. It is heartbreaking but very real, and it's important that this viewpoint is not ignored.

Within only a few chapters of this book, I quickly became attached to our main character, Cora, alongside her coworker friends Harvey and Yifei. Through many twists and turns in this book, my heart broke for each of them one by one. Speaking as a huge fan of the horror genre, the horror in this book was immaculate and it had EVERYTHING: Chinese folklore, gore, ghosts, a serial killer plotline, suspense, mental health, and even some religious undertones. There is something in this book for every horror fan.

I genuinely wish I could read this book for the first time again just to re-experience the highs, lows, laughter and tears. I have been recommending this book to every single person in my life and will continue to do so for quite some time. I am soooo looking forward to any other horror novels written by Kylie Lee Baker in the future!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, MIRA Books and Kylie Lee Baker for the ARC of this book!

This was a rough read, not in the way of the writing. More in the ways of expressing the horrors that happened during the pandemic. The folklore aspect was incredible I will say. I feel like the last 10% of the book felt a little rushed but overall it was good!

Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! I found Bat Eater and Other Names by Cora Zeng to exceed my expectations. I was ready for an early pandemic-era book, as well as a book about the movement to combat anti-Asian hate in light of COVID, but this book was brilliant beyond those conceits. It was heavy-handed when it needed to be, gory when it called for it, and overall full of raw power in telling Cora and her friends' stories. This book is full of rage, trauma, fear, and tons of hungry ghosts that will break your heart. The pain in this book is one that reminds us of our humanity and our duty to do better. Dismantle white supremacy. This was my first Kylie Lee Baker book and it certainly won't be my last!

Wow, what a COVID-19 remix! Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zheng by Kylie Lee Baker is a journey through Chinese death/ghost culture, racism and vengeance.

Although I had some experiences of racism during the COVID pandemic, it was nothing like what the FMC Cora experienced while living in New York. Cora is a crime scene cleaner that is starting to suspect there is a serial killer targeting the Asian community that lives in Chinatown. As her and her friends start getting closer to the truth, they are haunted by ghosts, the spirits of the dead that were not properly cared for on they journey to the afterlife. Meanwhile, there are daily microagressions, overt disrespect and just overall horrible treatment of the Asian characters during their daily lives.

Overall, a interesting story and would make for a great book club discussion!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this one. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and I just didn’t care for the story.

This is just not my type of horror but i know a lot of people loved it so it’s probably more a me thing.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is an excellent addition to the horror genre with a surprising amount of depth. I’m the rare person who actually gravitates towards, rather than away from, Covid-era stories, as I tend to find them cathartic in some way. Bat Eater provides a fresh take (and if, unlike me, you don’t tend to enjoy pandemic era tales, rest assured that it’s not an overbearing element of the story), focusing on the wave of prejudice and aggression visited upon Asian Americans in this era.
Thoughtful, action packed, disturbing, and haunting, I highly recommend this story.

Natalie Naudus did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Kylie Lee Baker, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was so good! It made me think and it made me squirm. I have dnf’d some previous “pandemic” books but this one was different. It has an important message it is just covered in blood at times.

Bat Eaters and Other Names of Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
This story is about the COVID pandemic in New York City, at its height in 2020. It’s also about people’s struggles during times of great disruption, about tendencies to find racial and national scapegoats to blame during crises, and more specifically, about one woman’s struggles to survive, and to figure out who she is at heart. It’s also about mental illness, and being haunted by memories and more. It’s an investigation, and revenge, and in the end, a kind of mercy.
it is horrific and very depressing in parts, but it’s also gripping, active, exciting, sometimes very funny, loving, and hopeful. It’s like nothing I’ve read, and I highly recommend it for those who can stand the horror and hatred to win through to the positive parts.

What a wild ride this book was. While a lot of it felt familiar from my own time during Covid, this gave me a look into the racism and prejudice so many people faced during that time. While I am not usually a horror genre fan, this was done in such an atmospheric way, that I really enjoyed it! Some moments were so unsettling, and then we were get brief moments of humor to break it up. I would absolutely recommend this to any fan of this genre!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I only knew it centred around a Chinese woman during the COVID period, and I was intrigued. But this blew my mind.

It's part horror, part social commentary with unexpected humour woven in. I'm sure not everyone will feel this way, but to me, Cora was relatable. She seems to suffer from OCD and anxiety, and of course, during COVID, she finds it hard to cope. I also liked other characters in the book, including Cora's coworkers Yifei and Harvey, as well as her Auntie Zeng.

I was pleasantly surprised to feel so many things because of the book, and I would recommend it to everyone. I'd also love to check out more books from the other.

Thanks to Netgalley & Harlequin Books for the e-copy!

<i>Bat Eater</i> hits hard with a gut punch of rage and grief. Baker doesn’t flinch—from pandemic-era racism to sister-shaped trauma, it’s all cracked open and bleeding on the page.

Cora, scrubbing crime scenes by day and battling literal ghosts by night, is a fierce and messy protagonist, and her pain feels real. The horror aspect of the book is almost less grounded in the supernatural/gory and more searing in the way the world looks at her and decides she’s other.

This book is really good and full of fire, but I struggled with the pace. There’s a lot of internal exposition that kind of gets repetitive and I thought the plot threads would eventually come together in a more satisfying way, but it all stayed somewhat disjointed in the latter half of the book.

Still, I enjoyed the chaotic, angry heart of the story and I’m definitely going to look into Baker’s backlist!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker has one of the most intense beginnings I have read in a long time. I do appreciate the light this book sheds on life in the pandemic and the racial hate and prejudice that is sadly still a part of our society. That conversation and the sad reasons it still continues is an important one. However, unfortunately, for many other reasons, I find myself not the reader for this book. 

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/05/bat-eater-and-other-names-for-cora-zeng.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I knew I’d love this book before I reached 10% (just looked it up, at 5% I knew!!) of the digital ARC. Sheesh, I took so long to read it that I was able to, and definitely ran to, buy my very own copy. To help gauge how much this means: I haven’t purchased a new book in over a year.

Cora Zeng unfortunately witnesses the murder of her sister, Delilah when some A1 A-hole pushes her into an oncoming train during the beginning of the pandemic. Months later, Cora is a crime scene cleaner, and she is noticing an uptick in murders of East Asian women, the connection: bats are at each crime scene. And if that’s not enough, Cora is seeing things, items in her apartment (where she lives alone) go missing. To add to the stress, it’s time for the Hungry Ghost Festival, and Cora did NOT burn any joss paper for her late sister. So what’s happening? Is Cora imagining everything? Is a serial killer after her now, too? Does she have a ghost haunting her?

Cora is not a character I loved; I found her to be very passive, someone who moves like everything, including her own choices, are out of her control. I can’t describe it accurately - but I’ll try>>I was annoyed with Cora’s inner dialogue and [lack of] actions for almost the entire book, but I didn’t dislike her. This book would make an awesome origin story and I think Cora would be a great anti-hero.

Yifei, Cora’s coworker, is everything Cora isn’t: outspoken, fearless, and independent. Then you have Harvey, their third coworker, who fills the role of the unserious, to the point of offensive, character. The three form an unexpected bond that will last their entire lives.

The writing is wonderful. The descriptions of the of the gruesome parts and moments of horror/suspense are great! Kylie Lee Baker is able to write Cora so well as a prey throughout the book. I also enjoyed the various terms Baker uses to convey consumption where they usually wouldn’t be used, keeping with the theme of the title.
The writing is easy to follow and quickly retained my attention. There wasn’t much down time for me to read, but when I could, I was captivated by this book.

I recommend this to anyone who likes social horror, ghost horror, and stories that deal with trauma.