Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

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

38 reviews

abmalada's review against another edition

5.0

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This is one of the best horror novels I’ve read. Ignoring the ghost story portion, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng was terrifying in its setting. It’s one thing to read creepy old stories by H. P. Lovecraft, it’s another to read a story told during a pandemic I lived through and about racism against Chinese when I remember the blame being placed on a market in Wuhan. At first, I wasn’t convinced on the setting of the book as I typically don’t like reading books that take place during the COVID-19 lockdown, but I think it was all woven together beautifully. This story, and the creepiness around it, wouldn’t have worked if Cora wasn’t Chinese, if the pandemic hadn’t happened, and if she didn’t have the neuroses she did because of everything that happened.

The ghost story itself felt like a horror movie, from the slow steps of the ghosts behind her, to Cora

being the last one left and screaming at the tangible ghosts.

It even had the death-every-other-scene trope that so many slashers have. As someone who doesn’t innately imagine books (I have to consciously try), the gore, while not over the top compared to some horror/gore novels, was enough that I didn’t love eating my lunch while reading this book.

Lastly, I thought Cora’s character development was interesting. I can see how it’s a weird writing style for some and could be boring, but her neurosis came from a place we could understand and we could tell, in real time, how it affected her psyche and how she grew past it. The Cora at the end of the book is a far cry from the Cora at the beginning.

Content Warnings

jayisreading's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

I really wanted to like this novel more than I did, but it somewhat fell flat for me. For the positives, though, I thought Baker did a great job writing gore and body horror in a way that would send chills down the backs of many readers, and I want to say the reason it worked so well was because she didn’t turn it into a spectacle to ogle at. Instead, there was intention behind each horrific scene, all of which tied to another positive about this book, which was the commentary on racism and, to a slightly lesser extent, misogyny that East Asian women faced. I think what really made all of this come together was actually the author’s note, particularly her emphasis on the necessity of BIPOC solidarity in the face of white supremacy. I also thought that the protagonist, Cora, was well-written, even if I admittedly wasn’t a huge fan of her. On that note, Baker did such a great job capturing Cora’s neuroticism (almost alarmingly so), to the point that I felt I was experiencing what she was going through when reading certain passages.

What didn’t work as well for me was mainly the execution and development. Cora had significant character development, but I felt the other characters severely lacked in comparison. I wouldn’t go so far as to say they were cardboard cutouts, but I really wanted them to be more fleshed out, particularly Aunt Zeng. Somewhat relatedly, Aunt Zeng was a fascinating character to me, especially because it was clear Baker wanted to add Chinese mythology and superstitions in the novel, and the aunt played a large role on this front. Unfortunately, I personally thought the integration of Chinese culture didn’t quite work, and at times, seemed forced. I want to say it might be because there may have been one too many ideas being juggled in this novel. Lastly—and without giving any spoilers—I didn’t love the ending, in part because of a certain trope that was used that I’m not the biggest fan of.

Despite my personal issues, I still think Baker brought to attention important topics that make this book worth picking up, especially if you’re into horror. Furthermore, the COVID pandemic setting might be a little too fresh for some, but I thought it was approached in a way that didn’t come off as insensitive or anything. Your mileage may vary with this book, is all I can say.

Content Warnings

themaciface's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

There are very few authors that had made me feel such visceral frustration, fear, and rage as Baker. The Scarlet Alchemist was great fantasy YA, Bat Eater is somehow better.

I can’t say I agree with every choice the writer made (I wanted more Aunt Zeng, and I was enraged at a certain event that happened near the end), but that doesn’t detract from how much I enjoyed this book.

I really want more of the characters, I want more of their adventures, but I can respect that it’s not that kind of story.

Content Warnings

jenna36's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I am in awe that I am giving a horror book 5 stars. Unbelievably good writing, even though the plot was stressful and very upsetting, I could not put it down.

Content Warnings

gabthebookworm's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

eklektikam's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

lbaclian's review against another edition

4.0

The first third of the book was slow to get through. You're stuck in the depressing mind of the main character and it felt like the story wasn't progressing. After she befriends her coworkers, I felt the story pick up and I flew through it. My jaw dropped to the floor nearing the end of the book! I wish she had befriended Yifei and Harvey sooner because they were more interesting than Cora.

Kylie Lee Baker descriptions are out of this world. I don't typically read horror, but I will say she did a great job evoking Cora's depression and describing the body horror.

Content Warnings

saintswitchblade's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

thatmeddlingkid's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I appreciated this Covid-inspired mystery/horror. It’s too bad this felt a bit too real, especially in current US racism. Hopefully the changes in the end start to happen for us too.

Content Warnings

e_liz's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

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