Bat Eater and Other Names For Cora Zeng
✨ Book Thoughts (ARC)✨
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
Genres: Horror•Mystery Thriller
Publication: April 29th, 2025
‘Cora thinks about a time, before the pandemic, when she truly thought the worst monsters were the ones inside her own head. When she thought people were mostly good, that they would save each other.’
This is now my favorite horror read of the year, just the perfect blend of nail-biting suspense and terror with a beautifully told, powerful story. I won’t be turning my lights off any time in the near future, ha.
Cora Zeng works as a crime scene cleaner in New York City at the beginning of the pandemic. She isn’t really phased by the gruesome aftermath of deaths; she has already witnessed the most traumatizing event: her sister being pushed in front of an oncoming train by a man hurling the insult, ‘bat eater.’
But soon an unsettling pattern emerges: the deaths that Cora and her coworkers are called in to clean are repeatedly East Asian women, with the horrific detail of mutilated bats being left with their bodies. Cora starts to feel like she is losing her grip on reality, as signs of hungry ghosts her Auntie has warned her about begin to appear around her.
I wasn’t sure which entities were more terrifying: the hungry ghosts who had not moved on to the afterlife, or the humans who saw Asian women as disposable. I loved the character Cora, just everything about her. Her desperate anxiety to cleanse herself; her matter-of-factness when dealing with the brutal aftermath of violent death. I love when she thinks: ‘If God cannot love Cora unless she forgives, then Cora will die without his love.’ This was one of those books that made me feel gratitude to the author for putting all of this into a story.
Thank you so much to Mira Books for this ARC!
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Okay, so I already shared my initial excitement about Kylie Lee Baker's 'Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng,' but I just have to dive a little deeper because this book truly lingered with me. It’s not just a horror novel; it’s a masterclass in weaving together deep-seated trauma, cultural folklore, and chilling real-world prejudice. What really struck me was how Baker didn't shy away from the ugliness of racial hatred, specifically targeting East Asian women during the pandemic. The casual cruelty of the "bat eater" insult, which is central to Cora's personal tragedy and the systemic violence she uncovers, feels painfully real. It forces you to confront the idea that sometimes the most terrifying monsters aren't supernatural entities, but the ones lurking within society and individual hearts. Cora's journey as a crime scene cleaner puts her right in the middle of this horror, and her matter-of-factness in the face of gore makes her internal struggles even more poignant. Then there are the hungry ghosts! This element adds such a rich, supernatural layer to the mystery. I found myself constantly questioning: are these spectral beings truly haunting Cora, or are they manifestations of her trauma and the collective grief surrounding these brutal deaths? Her Auntie's warnings about these restless spirits create an atmospheric tension that perfectly complements the grisly crime scenes. It’s a brilliant way to explore themes of unresolved grief, cultural identity, and the spiritual burden of injustice. This blend of a grounded, gritty mystery with supernatural horror is something I rarely see executed so flawlessly. Speaking of execution, Kylie Lee Baker's writing is just phenomenal. She manages to create nail-biting suspense without relying on cheap jump scares. Instead, the terror builds subtly, fueled by dread and the slow unraveling of a truly disturbing pattern. You become so invested in Cora's desperate need to cleanse herself and find answers that you'll be turning pages late into the night. It's clear Baker has a knack for crafting complex characters and intricate plots that resonate long after you've finished the last sentence. For anyone curious about her work, this book showcases her incredible talent for tackling heavy themes with grace and gripping narrative. And let's talk about the book cover for a moment – the one I saw on the ARC. It's incredibly striking, isn't it? The way it hints at the darkness within, perhaps with subtle nods to the themes without giving anything away. It really pulls you in, making you wonder what mysteries lie inside. Just like a perfectly designed cover, the story itself is layered and visually evocative in your mind's eye. Ultimately, 'Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng' is more than just a horror story; it's a powerful commentary on resilience, the search for justice, and the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable horrors, both seen and unseen. If you're looking for a horror-mystery that will challenge you, move you, and keep you on the edge of your seat, please give this book a read. It's a truly unforgettable experience, and I'm already eager to see what Kylie Lee Baker writes next!
