What I liked

I was in London in February, shortly before COVID-19 shutdowns happened, and it was there I experienced my first taste of the anti-Asian hate that was already spreading like the virus they accused us of bringing. Loud whispers of "Chinese virus," and "COVID" followed me down the streets in a city supposedly diverse and once known as polite, if not particularly friendly.

Highlighting the blatant racism during this period in recent history makes this book an important one, if only because six years later, collective memory likes to pretend it never happened. It's easy to forget how quickly society turns on those they deem outsiders when afraid.

The emphasis on how little authority figures cared that Asians were being murdered, as well as their indifference to Cora and her friends trying to tell them about it, hit close to home. Such stories are always a bitter reminder that a crime isn't taken seriously unless it happens to someone "important."

I appreciated the author's note at the end, which gave insight into why Kylie Lee Baker wrote the book. It feels personal because it is.

I loved Cora's character development, especially as she learned to reach out to her coworkers-turned-friends. Always happy to read about friendships.

What I didn't like

While I can appreciate what the book is trying to do, I personally don't enjoy books set during or about COVID-19 times. I find that these books tend to lean too far into preachy territory, which this one did after a while.

Throughout the book, Cora wrestles with her identity as someone who is half-Chinese, half-White. In the end she chooses her Asian identity and rejects her other half. I typically dislike this racial identity trope, because I think it's overdone and usually poorly done. I felt the same here, since the conclusion Cora comes to doesn't seem to be one that integrates all aspects of her identity.

On a similar note, none of the characters had much depth. Most read like caricatures that fit specific stereotypes, rather than well fleshed-out, multi-dimensional people.

Overall

Bat Eater got me out of a reading slump, for which I'm grateful. It was a good binge-read that I finished in two days. I enjoy Kylie Lee Baker's writing. However, this is not one I would revisit.

Who would like this: readers looking for a thrilling, fast read with a side of social and political commentary, who don't mind gore.