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A review by aforestofbooks
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng: A Novel by Kylie Lee Baker
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
I don't recommend reading this book in your semi-dark apartment near midnight, but if you do, just make sure you have a friend on video call.
Me the last third of this book:
"OH MY GOSH."
"WHAT."
"SHE ATE THEM???"
"THE PLATES."
"Omg thank god they're good at cleaning up blood."
"WAIT. No no no no. Omg no."
"Oh my gosh what."
"Why????!!!"
Cora Zeng doesn't know who she is without her sister Delilah. She's always followed in her sister's shadow, but after her sister's horrific murder, Cora is left drifting like a spirit in a world who sees girls like her as lesser; scapegoats for a pandemic that she has nothing to do with.
I don't think I've read a book that takes place in 2020 during the early months of COVID, but it's a very weird experience going back to the first few months and remembering the toilet paper crisis, the empty streets, the confusion on how long to quarantine, and which masks were better/would keep you safe. I felt for Cora so much, and like in the author's note, she doesn't realize that she will probably still be wearing a mask 4 years into this pandemic.
Cora's OCD is what really made me feel for her as a character, especially since it mimics my own OCD. I feel like more and more books with characters who have OCD try to step away from contamination and focus on other manifestations, since most people associate OCD with hand washing and sanitizing. But it is nice to see this kind of OCD in books, especially in a character who had this before covid came into the picture. Cora's awareness of her coworkers noting how often she sanitizes her hands made me feel so seen, because I know my coworkers notice me wiping down my pens and stethoscope and phone at the end of a shift. OCD really does take over your life, and it's not just the compulsive behaviours, but also the intrusive thoughts and catastrophizing. You live always predicting the worst possible outcome so that you're as prepared as possible for when it happens, and if it doesn't, you're prepared anyway. I honestly loved the representation in this book. There is one scene where Cora gets covid and feels almost relieved that her worst fear has become reality and it's not actually as horrible as she thought it would be (even though she does feel like death) and I honestly wanted to hug her and say "oh sweetie, you don't even know about long covid yet".
The serial killer mystery aspect of this book kept me on the edge of my seat, especially as Cora and her friends were getting closer and closer to figuring out the truth, while also trying to help Cora with her "hungry ghost problem". The dynamic between Harvey and Yifei was so fun to read and really provided the comedic relief this book needed in between all the dark and gory parts.
I love how this book doesn't shy away from social and political issues either. We already know how corrupt the NYPD is and how people in power can coerce and manipulate what cases are considered "important" and what the media should/shouldn't cover. It's no surprise that our world doesn't care about anyone who isn't white, and it's only become even more obvious since covid began. I also really appreciated the mention of Jesus being from Palestine. I know it made the zionists angry, which always makes me happy.
This book is dark and gory and disturbing. But it also feels very real because the purposeful targeting and murder of minorities is our present reality and has been for some time. It's sad and frustrating watching white supremacists and nazis rising into power yet again, and creating a space where people like them are emboldened/encouraged to be hateful and racist.
The ending of this book does leave you feeling hopeful, because resistance, and sometimes violent resistance, is necessary to achieve justice and freedom for everyone.
4.25/5 stars
Me the last third of this book:
"OH MY GOSH."
"WHAT."
"SHE ATE THEM???"
"THE PLATES."
"Omg thank god they're good at cleaning up blood."
"WAIT. No no no no. Omg no."
"Oh my gosh what."
"Why????!!!"
Cora Zeng doesn't know who she is without her sister Delilah. She's always followed in her sister's shadow, but after her sister's horrific murder, Cora is left drifting like a spirit in a world who sees girls like her as lesser; scapegoats for a pandemic that she has nothing to do with.
I don't think I've read a book that takes place in 2020 during the early months of COVID, but it's a very weird experience going back to the first few months and remembering the toilet paper crisis, the empty streets, the confusion on how long to quarantine, and which masks were better/would keep you safe. I felt for Cora so much, and like in the author's note, she doesn't realize that she will probably still be wearing a mask 4 years into this pandemic.
Cora's OCD is what really made me feel for her as a character, especially since it mimics my own OCD. I feel like more and more books with characters who have OCD try to step away from contamination and focus on other manifestations, since most people associate OCD with hand washing and sanitizing. But it is nice to see this kind of OCD in books, especially in a character who had this before covid came into the picture. Cora's awareness of her coworkers noting how often she sanitizes her hands made me feel so seen, because I know my coworkers notice me wiping down my pens and stethoscope and phone at the end of a shift. OCD really does take over your life, and it's not just the compulsive behaviours, but also the intrusive thoughts and catastrophizing. You live always predicting the worst possible outcome so that you're as prepared as possible for when it happens, and if it doesn't, you're prepared anyway. I honestly loved the representation in this book. There is one scene where Cora gets covid and feels almost relieved that her worst fear has become reality and it's not actually as horrible as she thought it would be (even though she does feel like death) and I honestly wanted to hug her and say "oh sweetie, you don't even know about long covid yet".
The serial killer mystery aspect of this book kept me on the edge of my seat, especially as Cora and her friends were getting closer and closer to figuring out the truth, while also trying to help Cora with her "hungry ghost problem". The dynamic between Harvey and Yifei was so fun to read and really provided the comedic relief this book needed in between all the dark and gory parts.
I love how this book doesn't shy away from social and political issues either. We already know how corrupt the NYPD is and how people in power can coerce and manipulate what cases are considered "important" and what the media should/shouldn't cover. It's no surprise that our world doesn't care about anyone who isn't white, and it's only become even more obvious since covid began. I also really appreciated the mention of Jesus being from Palestine. I know it made the zionists angry, which always makes me happy.
This book is dark and gory and disturbing. But it also feels very real because the purposeful targeting and murder of minorities is our present reality and has been for some time. It's sad and frustrating watching white supremacists and nazis rising into power yet again, and creating a space where people like them are emboldened/encouraged to be hateful and racist.
The ending of this book does leave you feeling hopeful, because resistance, and sometimes violent resistance, is necessary to achieve justice and freedom for everyone.
4.25/5 stars