Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng review

Book: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng

Author: Kylie Lee Baker

Pages: 302

Date(s) Read: May 7^th, 2025 to May 28^th, 2025

Date Published: April 29^th, 2025

Rating: 4/5

Genre:  Asian, Horror

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 3/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  3/5

Cover: 2/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: April 3^rd, 2025

Book Cost: $28.24

Book Cover

Review:

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is an odd novel that has its weaknesses but has a unique premise, lots of horror elements, and an interesting cast of characters. That all being said, it has a lot of flaws that at times made it difficult to amble through.

 

In Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng our heroine is the victim of anti-asian hate during the COVID pandemic. When her sister is murdered she becomes a crime scene cleaner out of necessity to pay the bills. While working with her ragtag group at work she discovers that the killings of innocent asian women may not be as random as they appear.

 

Many of the characters were likable and compelling but Cora herself is rather uninspired. She's almost detached and dispassionate. Her trauma and idiosyncrasies are the most interesting thing about her. Her backstory with her mother and father could have had a lot more depth and elaboration too. I found her Auntie Zeng to be the most intriguing character of the cast.

 

The pacing is odd and I found myself slogging through the story for much of the book, though when it picked up the pace intermittently it was very engaging.  Despite that, the book comes together in a satisfying way at the end. I felt like the journey wasn't without its hiccups but in retrospect the story was so unique and atmospheric that I can't help but rate this higher than I would have otherwise.

 

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a flawed but riveting novel that you'll remember long after reading.