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.

✨ Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker ✨

Wow!!! This was absolutely phenomenal!!

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner in New York City at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has just lost her sister, the city is on lockdown and she is just trying to survive when she uncovers something that will change her life forever. The story is gritty, raw and visceral - making the reader ponder what is scarier…a hungry ghost or our fellow man?

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is so much more than a horror novel. It weaves mystery, horror and literary fiction while exploring racism and xenophobia. It deep dives into the harms of misinformation and vividly portrays the wrongful hatred spewed towards Asian communities during lockdown. It’s about family, friendship, love, loss, grief, survival and everything that comes after. Truly an amazing read!!

Method Read: 🎧 & 📖
Thank you so much to Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

⚠️ Be kind to your mind. Please check TW before reading.

Wow, wow, wow. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to listen to an advanced copy of the audiobook, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng! Haunting and heartbreaking, this book is a wild and thought-provoking ride that will stick with you. I didn't read the synopsis beforehand, so the first chapter took me by surprise and sucked me in. 

Taking place during Covid 19, Kylie Lee Baker really captures the strange feelings of isolation and paranoia. I truly enjoyed the Chinese folklore elements and learning about hungry ghosts. This book also gives us a real reflection on the horrific hate crimes towards the Asian community during Covid 19. The real-life and paranormal horrors in this book were truly horrifying

This was my first book set during the pandemic and it did not disappoint. Natalie Naudus is an exceptional narrator and I felt engaged the entire time!

Also, the author's note at the end. Read/listen to it.

What an intense book to read as someone who has lived through the COVID-19 pandemic. The author does a fantastic job of transporting you right back to where you were and how you felt in the early months of the pandemic. Do we need to wash the groceries? Are we wrong for going out for drinks, even if they are outside? All of these anxieties that I have not fully processed came right back to me, particularly through the main character's obsessive thoughts about cleanliness. That part alone made me really sit and think about how I have changed since March 2020. The horror of this book, however, does not come from living through a pandemic, but the horrible hate that grew through it. Cora, the titular character, experiences (truly not the right word but I do not want to spoil it for others) an anti-Asian hate crime that shakes her to her core and upends her life. She begins to unravel... or does she? Honestly I can't give you more than that without giving anything away. But this book sucked me in and kept me there right til the end. This book is gross -- even grosser than her book where a main character does bloodworking -- but it is intentional and necessary. I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend.

Natalie Naudus, you can do no wrong.

Set during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, in New York City, Bat Eater is an examination of the Chinese-American experience in the US at a time where xenophobia towards Chinese people was at a high. This books deals with a lot of that xenophobia in a very real sense when Cora Zeng’s sister is murdered in front of her by someone calling her “Bat Eater”, referencing the fact that Covid originated in bats and it’s used as a slur for Asian Americans regardless of ethnicity, and she and her co-workers as crime scene cleaners, figure out this is a string of murders and might be a serial killer.
The mystery central to the plot is quite compelling and the supernatural aspects related to Chinese myths of “hungry ghosts” is also really interesting and worked well to add to the horror aspects of the story. I found the character of Cora to be mostly understandable and enjoyable to read, though it was often hard to target her life and specific motivations in life outside the mystery. I found the concept of crime scene cleaners investigating a mystery that the police refuse to do, very interesting. My one downside here was that the ending did not hit quite as well as I would hope it did, it’s admittedly more realistic than what you’d expect but it’s also not quite as satisfying as it could have been I feel.
The “hungry ghosts” is a concept I was familiar with, due to studies of world religions in college, but I’d never fully examined it as I’d usually focused on spiritual topics in other parts of Asia. It’s execution here is really fun and I felt it was a unique concept that I had not yet encountered in western fiction.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and even enjoyed the ending despite finding myself wanting more. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quicker horror book that checks a lot of eastern mythology/religion and fantasy.

Four and a half stars.