This was such a unique and wonderfully told story. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng absolutely had me in a chokehold while I was listening toit and it has been a much recommended book by me to my friends and acquaintences.

Raw.

This story was so raw. Esp being AANHPI.
2020 was fr a wild ass year, but this book showcased so much that has been overlooked.

“Everyone wants Asian girls to look pretty. No one wants them to talk.”

The anxiety of our FMC, but also the OCD. Being considered “dirty” or “diseased” for not conforming to Western ways. When a lot of Asians wore masks & gloves pre-pandemic, but looked upon as weird.

Pent up Asian rage fr. So beautifully composed & fleshed into a haunting mystery that will grab you by your ankles out of bed. Taking honoring the dead into a different direction, but when even the dead don’t sleep in NYC… How would you appease them?

Overall, this was such a necessary read. The way Kylie wove reality w/ fiction— Just the relatability from “the hair coming out of the drain like cooked eggplant” to the Author also working at a Dental Office. Just having lived through 2020 period.

“Do not let your empathy stop at the borders of your own community.”

DNF

I read for escape. I’m also a sucker for pretty covers, so maybe that’s why I missed the context of this novel, and if so, that’s my fault. However, within just a few minutes the lack of TP being available is what made me quit listening. We lived through it all, and while I strongly believe in the importance of different POVs regarding historical events, just couldn’t keep going.

I don’t know what is was about this one, but it wasn’t for me. I just didn’t care about the character as much as I should.

Loved the audiobook! This had me horrified and deeply saddened for the characters. The premise was so well laid out I love the horror, mythology, and Covid mix. It was a great read will definitely recommend to horror lovers.

The idea of a paranormal horror novel about a crime scene cleaner that explores the topic racism during the pandemic seemed like the perfect book, however, I could not get into Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng at all. I struggled through the dragging pace of the book. I didn't feel connected to the main character like I thought I would. So confusing because I thought I was going to love this.

As for the audiobook, I thought the narrator did a good job and was well suited for the role.

Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Kylie Lee Baker for the eARC.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is out now.

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.

I can't believe I waited so long to finish this. The first 30% felt a little slow to get into but around the 50% mark, I was hooked onto every word uttered so I could assist in finding the perpetrator.

Um, the twists in the story were CRAZY. I felt like I never had my figure on what was occurring and I loved that. It was truly a wild ride. This would be perfect as a movie but I also fear that some creeps would feel inspired. The events felt too real.

If you're into horror or thrillers, I'd highly recommend. The audio was amazing and really added to the brutality of the acts committed and words thrown around.

Unable to cope after her sister’s murder, Cora spends her days making the evidence of too many Asian hate crimes disappear while contending with bigots around every corner. Bad becomes worse when a hungry ghost seeks Cora’s help without caring what stands in its way. Luckily, that leads to Cora finding acceptance and belonging in unlikely places. This novel is a nice stepping stone into horror with too perfect of descriptions for ghastly scenes while remaining grounded with events inspired by a time not far behind us.

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

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a devastating story of grief and the importance of remembering the dead. It also highlights the brutality and violence Asian Americans live with on a daily basis. Going into this I was only somewhat familiar with the concept of the hungry ghost but Kylie Lee Baker does a great job familiarizing readers with the traditions through Cora's own uncertainty of Chinese traditions, having been raised by a single, white mother. Her sister Delilah, who is fully Chinese and was raised in Chinese customs, and her Auntie Zeng are her tether and when her sister is murdered, she's left with a tenuous connection. It was heartbreaking to see Cora struggle and speak about herself negatively for something she has no control over. In a pivotal moment of understanding she even says "She'd always been ashamed of being illiterate in Chinese, but had never thought it was dangerous".

Cora's emotions felt genuine and familiar to me. Her inability to fit in anywhere is upsetting and her lack of belief in herself as a human is hard to experience. Even her resistance to making friends or thinking of them as such until close to the end breaks my heart. Although reluctantly, she really comes into her own throughout this book and by the end I had a lot of hope that she would find her place in the world.

This was pretty creepy overall, and I was impressed by the different avenues the author went down for the scares. On one hand there is the fairly straightforward haunting, which is ratcheted up a notch by the personal connection Cora shares with the ghost. The idea that death can not only take someone you love from you but that they can come back different to haunt you. The scene in which Cora is walking home by herself and hears the voice behind her that tells her not to turn around gave me the chills and had me checking behind my back. I also enjoyed the reveal towards the end, during which Auntie Zeng's only advice is to run. There's also the added layer of violence due to racism. It's so disheartening when Cora is reading the chat messages and musing on how they're less frightening then the images of bodies because she's heard them many times before. Imagining the horror of being assaulted, verbally or physically, while others watch and do nothing is so unsettling.

I'm a big fan of Natalie Naudus and her narration, and I have to say she was definitely the perfect choice for this book. She emoted just the right amount while reading (not over the top and not flat reading). I think she helped me engage even more than I would have without her.

This book is definitely one of my top 5’s for 2025 and I’ll be watching Kylie Lee Baker to see what she does next.

“Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner, washing away the remains of brutal murders and suicides in Chinatown. The bloody messes don't bother her, not when she's already witnessed the most horrific thing possible: her sister being pushed in front of a train. Before fleeing the scene, the murderer whispered two words: bat eater. Months pass, the killer is never caught, and Cora can barely keep herself together. She pushes away all feelings, disregards the bite marks that appear on her coffee table, and won't take her aunt's advice to prepare for the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the gates of hell open. Cora tries to ignore the rising dread in her stomach, even when she and her weird coworkers begin finding bat carcasses at their crime scene clean-ups. But Cora can't ignore the fact that all their recent clean-ups have been the bodies of East Asian women. Soon Cora will learn: you can't just ignore hungry ghosts.”

This book felt so real, the pandemic was very scary. The pandemic created a lot of racism & unnecessary hate fueled creation towards Asians. This book certainly does a great job highlighting that. Apart from that I loved the paranormal elements. One of the craziest book I’ve read this year so far. I hope to read more from this author! Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for this copy

Kylie Lee Baker’s adult horror debut is a visceral, genre-defying exploration of trauma, racism, and the supernatural. Set in pandemic-era New York City, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng follows a young crime scene cleaner haunted by the brutal murder of her sister and by something darker that lurks just beyond the veil.

Cora Zeng scrubs blood from walls and floors in Chinatown, numbed by grief and germophobia. Her sister Delilah was pushed in front of a train by a man who whispered “bat eater”, a slur rooted in pandemic-fueled racism. The killer was never caught, and Cora’s world has narrowed to death, disinfectant, and dread.

As the Hungry Ghost Festival approaches, Cora begins to notice disturbing patterns: bat carcasses at crime scenes, bite marks on her furniture, and a shadowy figure that seems to follow her. All the victims she cleans up after are East Asian women. Her aunt urges her to honor the dead with traditional rituals, but Cora resists until the ghosts refuse to be ignored.

The writing here is sharp, atmospheric, and emotionally charged. It balances gore with grace, dread with dark humor. The horror is both literal and symbolic, and her pacing will keep you on edge of your seat without sacrificing depth. I have to mention that the narration of Natalie Naudus added extra flair to the story and definitely enhanced my listening enjoyment.

The narration on the audiobook was fantastic. The story was intriguing, creepy and had relevant social commentary that made you think. I was unsure about reading a book that focused heavily during Covid, but it was done in such a smart and unique way that I appreciated. Great horror elements that made me uneasy and I loved the ending.

This book really took me right back to those early days of 2020 when everything was scary and uncertain. Then you add on that this is actually a horror story with real life ghosts and a serial killer. This was brutal and visceral. It speaks to the disconnected life that Cora lives being biracial and being not Chinese enough to fit in there but not white enough to fit in there as well. I was constantly horrified for Cora and distressed about what she was going through. But also having to check my own anxiety and remind myself that there was not a pandemic threatening me anymore and I didn't have to wash my hands 20 times after getting back from the store. Immersive and stunning story with cultural significance. I am excited to read more of Baker's work.

This book!!! Hearing about COVID in books is so odd to me to me still! How is that even possible? It was definitely something that changed the world and it’s making its way in novels and turning into stories…. The audio was great and loved every second of it!

If I could rate this book higher, I would!!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a razor-sharp horror novel that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go. Baker threads supernatural fear and psychological tension through the very real trauma of racialized violence during the height of the pandemic. It’s uncomfortable in the way good horror should be—forcing you to confront what you’d rather look away from.

Cora is an unforgettable protagonist. Every character, no matter how minor, feels layered and alive. There’s a haunting buildup to the most terrifying moments, often hidden in the smallest, quietest details. No one escapes unscathed in this story, and that’s part of what makes it so powerful.

The narration was a perfect addition to the tension and dramatics of this book.

I haven't loved a book this much in a long time. It’s chilling, timely, and emotionally resonant in all the right ways.

Pandemic novels still feel too soon, even though it's already been 5 years. The Asian hate of course feels authentic. This is much gorer than I anticipated. The hungry ghost mystery was a lot of fun and Cora's character development was well earned at the end.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a disturbing, paranormal novel during COVID-19 with heavy themes, including racism and xenophobia.

It's the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York City. Cora Zeng witnesses her sister's horrific death. Delilah was called a 'bat eater' and pushed in front of a train. A couple of months later, Cora is cleaning crime scenes in Chinatown from suicides and murders. She is haunted by her sister, Delilah, and the words 'bat eater' when she realizes that her recent crime scenes have something in common, bat carcasses and Asian women.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was immersed in Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng from the first chapter when Delilah was pushed in front of the train. I flinched, not only from her being pushed but the words. This was purely a hate crime and it was devastating. Along with the train scene, there were a few scenes involving a ghost that were disturbing. I was expecting a bit more horror and gore but received more thriller and a lot of mystery.

After the first chapter, the beginning dragged on during certain moments. I don't understand the significance of the church scenes and feel like it was placed the lengthen the novel.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I thought it was a great introduction to Chinese folklore and am very interested to read more stories like this one.

bipoc • chinese folklore • crime • ghosts • horror thriller • mystery thriller • paranormal • poc

well shit.

i had no idea where this book was going and i really enjoyed it. what a unique concept and so cool to see chinese folklore & beliefs woven in with a horror story that involved serial killers, secret society of fucked up men (always), and a crazy surprising ending.

i would highly recommend this one as it's such a wild ride. at no point could i guess the ending and i loved that it kept me on my toes. it's gnarly, graphic, and a really fun listen. the narrator did a great job with all the characters.