This book opens your eyes as to what others experienced living through the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn’t all clapping for hospital staff and social distancing. For others it was horrific because of the amount of hate that they received for just existing and looking a certain way. I think the scariest thing about this book is that what took place in it could have actually happened. I’m at one point, I forgot that I was reading fiction because it’s just that plausible.

Immediate YES! I ate this book up!! I literally was listening to it while I ate my lunch and whilst cooking dinner (in retrospect that's probably weird to some folks as this is a horror book with crime scene clean up...). I was so excited for this book since the day I heard about it and consumed it so fast it wasn't even funny! I love ghost stories and the premise for this one was chef's kiss. It's set in 2020/COVID pandemic times where the blame of asians for the virus was rampant and uncalled for. My sense of justice is strong so this one struck many cords for me. I do not tolerate racism in any form but I am glad Kylie shared this perspective and was not afraid to share it as well. I learned a few things myself and also have further research to do.

If you love horror then you'll love this book! I cannot recommend it enough! My booktok and bookstagram friends who have also read it gave raving reviews too.

Kylie made a good point in this book. I myself at one point thought it may be a good idea to possibly become a crime scene cleaner to help me with my fears of death but she noted in the book that Cora realized it doesn't help with it at all because the clean up happens after the body has already been removed.

This is probably my favorite “horror” book I’ve ever read. Important themes discussed that make you think & also had me creeped out multiple times (without being grossed out!!!)

Also the narrator did a FANTASTIC job. I could listen to her read allll day. Loved the audiobook version of this!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng was a book unlike anything I had ever read before. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant to pick up a book that sounded so heavily focused around Covid. Although Covid did play a major role in the plot, it wasn't the primary focus, which I was glad for.

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner. It's April 2020 in NYC. Cora's sister was recently shoved off a subway platform by a man who called her a "Bat Eater" and gruesomely hit by a train right in front of her. Cora is trying to cope with the loss of her sister, her whole world, and turns to crime scene cleaning. The murders of Asian women is on the rise during this time and it seems to be a serial killer behind it. His calling card? Leaving live bats at the crime scene. It's up to Cora, Yeifi, and Harvey to figure out who the killer is and stop him. All the while trying to keep Hungry Ghosts at bay (yes, ghosts are real and there is one (or more) following Cora around).

This novel took me by surprise. I didn't think that I would enjoy it as much as I did. There was mystery, paranormal, Chinese folklore, and gore throughout. The book was marketed as being of the horror genre, however I wouldn't call it horror. It wasn't scary, per say, maybe a bit spooky at times, but not horrifying. Definitely a mystery aspect as well as thrilling. This book makes me want to dive into Kylie Lee Baker's backlist. I highly recommend this one to anyone wanting to branch out of the ordinary because this novel is anything but! 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

I experienced this book via audio with one of my favorite narrators, Natalie Naudus, setting the scenes. It was an 8-hour and 47-minute listen that I do not regret. I'm sorry, I may be biased, but I don't think Naudus has ever participated in a bad book. She knows how to pick her work!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng turned out to be bigger than the premise ever issued! Cora Zeng's story takes place during COVID in Chinatown, New York, after a dramatic travesty transpires in front of her eyes. From there, we follow her life as an OCD-ish, germaphobe, crime scene cleaner (I know, right), trying to navigate through a Pandemic, racism, and a haunting.

BEAONFCZ was a well-crafted book. I had no idea where the story was going until we reached the end. Although BEAONFCZ is classified as horror, it brings out the fear in more ways than one. For a story that presented multiple topics, it all meshed well together.

I love Asian horror, but I will say that this book was not meant for me. I highly appreciated Baker's note at the end of the story, which made me give her cool points. I stayed with my original rating. 3.5 stars

Terrifying and amazing all at once!! This book is a paranormal, political, horrifying gory mystery masterpiece that kept me on the edge of my seat (and feeling a little bit sick) the entire time. I know going into a horror that no one is safe but my eyes almost popped out of my head several times.

The narrator did so freaking well with this book. You could feel the fear and the sorrow in her voice. I loved this so much. Definitely made this book come alive in my head.

This book is unexpected, scary (af!), and so haunting. Descriptions will likely haunt my soul for the rest of my days. I think it’s an incredible take at mixing important topics like racism and generational trauma in a genre. The horror adds to the real horror Asian Americans faced during the pandemic making it a visceral and powerful narration. Suspension of disbelief came quickly which is why this is not 5 stars, but otherwise a great horrific read with gripping details and fast-paced narrative.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a captivating and haunting tale, and listening to the audiobook took the experience to a whole new level. From the very first chapter, I was hooked—Cora’s voice is so powerful, raw, and full of tension, and the narrator brought her to life in such a way that it felt like I was right there with her, experiencing every chilling moment.

Cora Zeng is such a fascinating and complex character. Her work as a crime scene cleaner already sets a grim tone, but her emotional depth—especially dealing with the trauma of her sister’s death—makes her an incredibly compelling protagonist. The mystery surrounding her sister’s murder, along with the eerie occurrences that follow Cora, kept me on the edge of my seat. The chilling atmosphere of the story is amplified by the narrator’s incredible pacing and tone, which brought the suspense and the supernatural elements to life in such a visceral way.

The suspense and tension are palpable throughout the book, and the audiobook’s production is top-notch. The subtle sounds, atmospheric music, and well-timed pauses add to the sense of unease, making this a truly immersive listening experience. The story is layered with suspense, supernatural horror, and deep emotional trauma, and the narrator conveyed every twist and turn flawlessly.

The story itself is a perfect mix of mystery, supernatural intrigue, and cultural depth. Cora’s journey is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating, as she confronts her past while dealing with increasingly dangerous forces. I loved how the plot kept me guessing until the very end, and the audiobook's pacing kept me engaged every step of the way.

If you enjoy dark, atmospheric mysteries with a supernatural twist, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a must-read—and even more so as an audiobook. The voice acting is incredible, the plot is gripping, and the experience is unforgettable. I couldn’t recommend it more!

I listened to Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng on audio and really liked it. The premise was super interesting and heartbreaking, especially seeing how women like Cora were mistreated during the pandemic just because of where they were from. It might be fiction, but we all know things like that really happened. I felt Cora's pain, her grief over her sister, and her inner struggle to speak up and be heard. But despite all of it, she stayed strong and fought back in her own way. As a horror fan, I would’ve loved a bit more gore, but it still gave me what I needed. A powerful, emotional, and haunting story.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

What a book! This one tackles Asian hate crimes and I thought it was really well done. This is pretty COVID heavy as it starts at the beginning of the pandemic.

I know some people still aren’t in a place to consume media centered around the pandemic, but if you are, then I highly suggest this one.

It was gory, unsettling, and rife with social commentary on things that sadly still remain prevalent today.

One of the best books I’ve read this year! This had perfect pacing, was very emotional and terrifying! I will be thinking of this book for so long

Natalie Naudus is always a great narrator and she did a great job conveying Cora's fear and despair. I don't read a lot of horror so this was more brutal than I thought it would be. This is a very good book that dives into the hatred that Asians have been dealing with since the start of Covid and how the pandemic has changed the world. This is definitely a book that will stay in my mind for awhile

This story is phenomenal. It's creepy and unnerving but not just because of the ghosts. It does a fantastic job of calling out systemic racism and simply the horrors lurking within humanity.


I personally loved the audiobook. I think the narrator did a wonderful job and really helped me get into the story.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the audiobook ARC. Here are my thoughts.

Cora Zeng isn’t phased by much since she is a crime scene cleaner, but witnessing the visceral death of her sister has heavily affected her. The murderer wasn’t caught, but his whispered words “Bat Eater” haunt Cora. She’s trying to live through her grief, but it seems there is an increase in East Asian women dying tragically, and Cora is nervous that something horrifying might be targeting her.

I read The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker and I loved it, so when I saw she was writing a horror novel I was super excited as I already knew that I loved her writing style. I have a fun Evernight copy that sits beautifully upon my shelf. Listening to this novel, was particularly impactful. The narrator, Natalie Naudus did a spectacular job balancing all of the various elements of this novel. She captured the horror, mystery and humor wonderfully.

This novel has a lot going on. There is some gruesome horror around the murders and crime scene cleanup, but then there is also some creepy, supernatural horror at play. I liked that the book included both of these pieces! Cora is also a witty character which helped to offset the darker themes in this book. Her humor is only matched by the pain she feels after the loss of her sister.

I don’t know that this book is for everyone, as a lot of people don’t like pandemic-themed books. But I love when authors take a real issue, such as the violent racism that East Asian people were facing during the pandemic and wrap that into a story of extremes. It teaches people about these prevalent problems while putting a fantastical spin on it. I think it’s such a smart way to write, especially using a genre such as horror. The messaging behind the book is much more than just loss, and I appreciate the author writing this novel, and I highly recommend it!

brutally gripping Chinese lore tale, set in modern New York City during the pandemic, with horrific twists and turns of events at every corner.
Chapter one leaves your mouth agape with grueling surprise. A buildup of suspense until you meet 𝒽𝑒𝓇 .. all from the lack of following Chinese tradition. Then the plot just keep twisting the grim unpredictable events. Such a great read, and honestly I am Mentally scarred!

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng
Author: Kylie Lee Baker
Narrator: Natalie Natalie Naudus

Thank you so much Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC! Breathtaking performance from Queen of audio Natalie as always! I have read other books by Kylie but this was the first horror book by her that I have read. The storyline was really interesting. Our main character is a crime scene cleaner, who witnesses the death of her sister as she is hit by a train. Also, the man who pushed her sister in front of the train whispered “bat eater” after, and now bodies of other women are turning up with dead bats around them? Super creepy. The ghosts, and demons and murder mystery was really intriguing. I enjoyed all of the characters and our main character was really unique and interesting. I didn’t love the covid references. That sort of took me out of the story, and I also didn’t feel super connected to the characters on a deeper level? I felt very surface level the entire time and I like to feel more emotionally attached to the story and the characters? I’m not sure if that makes sense. Overall I think this will be a top read for many and definitely add it to your TBR!

Book Rating: 5/5
Narration Rating: 5/5

Bat Eater absolutely wrecked me in the best way. Imagine The Grudge meets a gory thriller with a side of razor-sharp social commentary, and you’re close.

We follow Cora Zeng, crime scene cleaner, trauma magnet, and low-key my new bestie—as she scrapes what’s left of murder victims (all Asian women…yikes) off surfaces while haunted (literally) by her sister’s murder. Oh, and a serial killer is leaving dead bats everywhere. Casual. This is horror with teeth: ghosts, blood, guts, but also deep, necessary conversations about racism, fetishization, grief, and identity that just feel all too relevant right now. It’s spooky and smart. Plus, Cora’s cleanup crew? ICONIC. Their weird humor and found-family vibes gave my heart a break between the nightmare fuel.

If you love dark, twisty reads with heart, horror steeped in Chinese lore, and characters you’ll be obsessed with, Bat Eater is a MUST. Just… don’t read it alone at night. Trust me. The narration was perfect as well! Pacing was great, and I also loved the vibe it gave off. I was spooked out in all the right ways.

This was definitely a hard read with the 2020 pandemic being it's driving force in tandem with the racism towards Asians. Whew! What a ride and so powerful. Great story!!

Bat Eater And Other Names For Cora Zeng
Kylie Lee Baker
4⭐️

Pub Date: 4/29/2025

This one was so hard for me to swallow. The premise is TOO fresh. As an Asian-American, READING about what Asians in general have to go through during the COVID19 pandemic- the racism, hate crimes, name calling etc- and actually KNOWING that unfortunately, this was not fiction, that was too infuriating and just got way too close to home. The author's writing style and whole plot construction was good and it got too real too fast. This genre is Horror- yes, because of Chinese Ghost Month and everything that came with it but I personally think the horror was more so the society. How it stooped so low and became abusive just because they were "allowed" to do so. That was the true horror in my opinion. It was heartbreaking. So much deaths for no reason. In the end, justice was kind of served. Not the kind I wanted but one that, I guess, made sense in reality.

Little fun fact about me: I actually grew up knowing and observing Chinese Ghost Month. It's my culture and I grew up folding and burning jos paper, feeding the ghosts, making paper houses and cars, etc. We have restrictions about where to go, what to do.

Thank you @netgalley and @htp_hive for a gifted ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my first ALC and whew, that was a good one.