Baby Fights

by Robert Essig

Would you pay to watch babies fight to the death?

Only the wealthy and privileged have the kind of money that can pay for such vile entertainment. The first rule of Baby Fights is there are no rules. Babies can't follow rules. But with a certain persuasion they turn into rabid little monsters, and oh what a spectacle it is to see.

Two babies enter the ring. Only one comes out alive. The only rule of Baby Fights is that one must die. Always.

Would you pay to watch babies kill each other in the ring? Oh, you don't have that kind of money? Then open this book and read about it.

Genres: Horror, Splatterpunk, Fiction, Adult, Novella, Audiobook

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2023

About the author

Robert Essig is the author of 30 books such as Baby Fights, Disco Rice, and Master of Bodies, which was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. He has published over 130 short stories and edited three anthologies. Robert lives with his family in east Tennessee.

Reviews

[inciminci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ducky’s dream of an underground Baby Fight empire had been slow to start, but was gaining traction with every main event.

Starting this book, I was mad curious and couldn't for the life of me imagine how the author would depict baby fight scenes, as I thought that two babies put together in a ring would barely be able to roll around like little clowns, giggling and drooling. I was wrong. The WWF names the snatched babies were given for the illegal fighting arena of Californian billionaire and depraved frat boy Francis “Ducky” Winchester should have been clue enough that it gets ugly here: Barbarella, Storm, Athena, Zolthar, Xena, Sherman, Killing Machine... It gets ugly and brutal.

See, Ducky's twisted mind, bored by the mundanity of pitbulls mauling and slaughtering each other in ordinary dog fights, used his evil genius to first invent the underground Chihuahua fights and later for an ultimate kick, baby fights. People pay good money to see these bloody matches. Rich people who already have everything and seek a new, marginal thrill. I reckon this isn't the best book for parents of babies, as it gets really violent between the little ones.

The writing is in parts actually pretty good, especially during psychological analyses of a profundity you wouldn't expect to find in a splatter novel. A striking story about human exploitation with a satisfying ending.

Thank you, Janie, for bringing this to my attention! 🖤

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is more slapping than punching in the arena of fighting babies. But the infants are right on their game, fighting each other to the death with any force possible. I can't tell you what excites them into angry rages. No spoilers here. The man who runs baby fight club is despicable, as are his employees and clients. Humanity in the upper echelon is a monster. Livid violence and slap-happy tots run the full gamut of depraved terror and ruptured, severed and gummed body parts. Triggers? All of them. No eating during a baby fight. Also, keep your extremities out of the ring.

[Stephen Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the set-up and build, but felt the ending was a little rushed. Could have maybe done with another 50 pages after such a strong start. Basically, I'm a sick puppy and wanted more baby fights lol.

[Matty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ducky, the Ed McMahan of baby fights has grown an underground empire of fighting babies. Secret ingredients turn the babies into monsters ready to tear each other apart. Barbarella the reigning champ, Athena, Zoltar, Xena, Sherman, and The Killing Machine are a few of his current fighters. Ducky is aided by Chance, who is growing tired of all the fighting and Ryan, an inspiring artist who uses a medium that is highly available to him. After kidnapping a mother and her baby earlier in the day all hell breaks loose at that nights fight! This is a fun, quick, gory, and funny at times story. I will definitely be reading more of Essig’s work.

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The expressive cover art says it all. If the image disturbs you, please don't read this book. If you are curious, then this quick-reading novella may satisfy. Just know that this is "extreme horror" and there are many brutal, shocking and disturbing scenes.

Even though I knew this was extreme horror and anticipated that this would be unsettling - - it exceeded my expectations. Now I feel guilty for enjoying it.

Normally, in order to enjoy a book and rate it higher than three stars I need to empathize with a character or characters. Otherwise, especially in the case of horror, if I'm not worried about someone then the horrific aspects don't frighten or disturb me. As I read BABY FIGHTS, I found it difficult to empathize with the three operators of this blood sport (for the rich and bored) involving toddlers. It's much easier to deplore them, although one member has a moment of clarity (but his solution does not merit any admiration). When the backstory of main instigator "Ducky" is revealed in the opening chapters (absurd but amusing "cock fights" during school years) and his rich, privileged upbringing it's impossible to care about him. I bonded to the captive "mother", which helped get me through the novella and made the justified ending resolution satisfying.

I believe BABY FIGHTS is the perfect book to introduce the curious to extreme horror. It contains all the elements and is short enough to make its points. Instead of extending the word count to include multiple scenes of baby carnage, Essig details the brutal and shocking fights in only a couple of depicted matches rather than reveling in the depravity.

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ducky had a privileged life even after the “loss” of his parents. They were very wealthy and Ducky, being the only child, inherited it all. Living in Blossom Valley has its perks. Big homes, big yards, and baby fights. Yes! Baby fights and Ducky runs the whole operation.

Ducky and the spectators at his events are the kind of people that have everything but never seem to be satisfied. Constantly searching to hit their pleasure centers even if those desires are questionable. They enjoy the brutal acts and the chance to win some money. It’s obvious in this story that the cost doesn’t matter to them. Ducky knows it’s a risky business finding babies, someone to care for those babies and, of course, hoping there are no rats in the audience.

This is certainly a messed-up story. I knew that going in, but I still had to read this. Curiosity got me! I can safely say I have never read anything quite like this, obviously because of the babies. It’s fast paced and intriguing from start to finish. Essig brings an ending that I didn’t anticipate but was definitely satisfying. This won’t be for everyone, but I think most that enjoy their horror on the extreme side would dig this. Stay away from the angel dust, kids!

[Alison Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

baby fights should not be a thing

What the eff did I just read?? I didn’t know if I would make it through this at all but was feeling brave and wanted to see what the heck Robert’s brilliant mind was up to. He writes the story so allusively that this bizarro tall tale is radical fiction at its finest. There were a couple of moments that made me cringe hard and a couple of parts that I did not like reading at all hahah my heart was racing 100% of the time I was reading and I forgot to breathe for way too long, way too many times! I’m still majorly rattled as I write this review. The ending took a major twist and was gruesomely epic - I love revenge and I love a good cliff hanger !!! To Robert.. thanks, I hated it.

[Patrick III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little known fact: this book is based on real life experiences. Robert Essig used to be involved in the baby fights racket with Michael Vick and Joe Exotic. Very popular in the hills of Tennessee. Big money involved. Truth is, Eric Clapton enlisted his son in one of the fights and that's REALLY how he died. Essig made backroom deals with adoption agencies to acquire fresh babies. He trained them himself in the octagon. Let the truth come out.

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, what do you get if you inject babies with a potent drug and let them do their thing....BABY FIGHTS!!

Insanity, gore, and an ending that was as satisfying as the storytelling itself! Why did i wait so long?

[Mrsgmamma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting one here. Duckie and his friends like to kidnap kids, inject them with angel dust and watch them fight to death. In the end let’s just say ducky isn’t so lucky. I read this on audible, I think once my copy comes in the mail I’m gonna try to re read this again to get more out of it.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Put simply, BABY FIGHTS by Robert Essig is extreme horror. Check your triggers. The title tells you all you need to know. If you can't handle this, don't handle this book.

That being said, I felt myself left for wanting more. The fact of the matter is, I wanted MORE baby fights than Baby Fights delivered. I think I was hoping for something a bit more over the top and tongue-in-cheek. But Baby Fights plays it straight. This is a dark, morbid, and cringe story filled with graphic descriptions of wee children doing unthinkable things and adults doing worse.

If you love your extreme horror uncomfortable and messy, place your bets on BABY FIGHTS. Nobody will judge you. Right? RIGHT?!

[Tamra Alger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting one for me. I found it to be more....silly?...than disturbing. It was definitely far fetched but I feel like that was also part of the point. I definitely liked it and the mini messed up stories about the characters. The ending was, a "but why?" factor but all in all a good, short read. The detail didn't disappoint and I'm glad this came off as 'silly to me because honestly? I may not have been able to handle it otherwise. I'll be checking out more Robert Essig for sure.

[Leka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! It’s a gorey book that makes you go….”why?!” or "what did I just read?!" Lol.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the fights however the ending was something I did not expect so that is appreciative. I love the detailing in this book too. I only wish there was a bit more backstory on the characters but besides that, great book! I finished in about 3 hrs give or take a few quick breaks.

[Leah Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ducky is a strange human, one that most people always envy. Your typical spoon fed, rich kid that gets anything he wants. After curiosity of his own male anatomy got the best of him during his teenage years, he comes up with a game. A game he was really good at since he was well hung, he was always the champion of the “cock fights” (and I don’t mean chickens). After Ducky got older and inherited his parents massive estate, he became bored and yearned for the excitement of something new. So, he created his new game and it was disgustingly a huge hit and brought in a lot of money. Now, I know, we’ve all heard of some illegal blood sports out there. Dogs, chickens, turtles, humans … and so on. Ducky created the secret, hidden game of baby fights. Yes, you read that right, he hosted baby fights. From kidnapping babies to forcing them to fight in an arena like grown adults. Ducky was thrilled and basting in the fame of sickos … until one day he messed with the wrong mamma and the wrong baby! Has Ducky finally met his match? Check it out and discover how his fate ends up! You will not be disappointed with the heroism and the bond between a mother and her child. Please be advised this is a story of fiction and does contain triggers of child abuse. You’ve been warned! Happy reading.

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babies fighting to the death

I am not one that has a weak stomach has I have read many of books that’ll keep you up at night but this book supersedes that. Babies are helpless and tend to been seen not a threat at all but what happens when a sick and twisted man decides that babies can be a threat. Ducky, decides he is up for the challenge and starts his very own baby fight club. I’ll warn you in advance the things I’ve read and the graphic scenes used are not for the weak of heart so brace yourself. For everyone else you’ll most definitely enjoy this book.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries]

DNF @ 48%

Morbid curiosity got the best of me with this one, despite the fact that, for years, my only trigger has been stuff related to small children and babies. I started feeling over the past year like that trigger had passed, but this story started getting to me and I got the feeling I might regret it if I continued right now. That said, the writing itself was great and I'm VERY interested in reading something else by this author soon!

✨ Content warnings for: infant abuse/violence/brutality/torture/death/murder, kidnapping, sexual harassment/assault, cannibalism — NOTE: these are only CWs for the first 48% of the book

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[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Essig had entered my mind as a must-read splatter/extreme author!

With a title like "Baby Fights", you get exactly what you are expecting! There is a lot of build up with our characters during the first half, but the second half is extremely brutal!

I loved all of the POVs of the characters and there are definitely some sickos here, with a bit of redemption with one of them!

4/5

[Michael Myett · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTAF did I just read? Babies fighting to the death? This seems unlikely even impossible but somehow Robert Essig creates an environment where this feels like a reality and very possible. This story is so much more than just babies fighting, violence and gore there is a terrific plot with so much happening it is hard to believe this is only a novella. The ending really caught me off guard and just felt right. I really loved this book and recommend it for all fans of extreme horror. I will definitely be looking for more titles from this author. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator gave a terrific performance that I felt added to my enjoyment of the story.
This story is very graphic and may be disturbing to more sensitive readers.

[Sharon Leung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking but good.

This is the first book I think I have read from this author and boy what a writer he is. You go from shock and awe to sickened in matter of minutes as you read each page. The further on you read the more twisted the story becomes. Babies! Of all things, but you can see his point. It's not something you read or here about. But yet you can imagine some sick and twisted person doing this. Though I hope to all and Dundee that there isnt. It's an easy read and certainly captures you and takes to the sickening world of Ducky. Well worth a read but don't if you are easily offended or squeamish in any way.

[Brad Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Grindhouse movie review voice:)
"In a world where babies are pitted against each other in a brutal fight to the death, survival is the only goal..."

As a longtime fan of Robert and his wicked writing style, I went into this story knowing it would rule. And it did. These babies runs at full-throttle, every second, every page is a treat. I wish/hope we get more, but everything Essig creates is top-drawer so I'm not worried at all. Read this story!! Read all of his stories!

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ducky is a wealthy man, made wealthier when his parents both die at the same time. But he's bored. He needs to find some excitement. So he starts baby fights. Only the rich get to come and watch these babies fight to the death.

3.5* rounded up
This was an absolutely bizarre read. I mean, obviously it isn't meant to be taken seriously, but it just seemed a lot sillier than I expected it to be. I was really curious about this one. I mean, you put two babies together and they aren't going to fight, right? So I wanted to know how they could get these babies fighting to the death. Well, sometimes it's better not to know 😅. You know what curiosity did the cat.
This was a very graphic read, filled with incredibly disturbed characters. Do not go into this one lightly.

[Ashley Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy 5-star!

This is a well-written book with an interesting concept. I’ve heard of many concepts (or real historical events) that involve an underground form of fighting but NEVER involving babies.
Robert Essig never disappoints when it comes to a creative concept for a book. He always hits the target for me.

I loved the ending. I felt like it was a great one considering the overall contents of the book.

I can’t wait to read another crazy Essig tale!

[Bryan Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short but very not sweet. The imagery was dark and twisted. The main characters were the very definition of depraved, and their acts purely heinous. This was truly vile and enjoyable little romp.

[Nellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Boy

Way over the top but enjoyed it from beginning to end. Strong characters ( no pun intended), fast paced story and a head shaker during the last couple of chapters. After you have finished reading, you'll be saying, "Oh boy, what the...."

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is insane yall!

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Hell has a face (and it must have several), one of them is surely the face of a baby getting slapped continuously while crying. Multiply this awful image tenfold and perhaps you’ll get something like the premise of this book: wealthy people betting on babies, stoned on angel dust, fighting each other to the death. The baby aggression is unbelievable, the corruption of the hosts beyond measure; yet, cracks soon show up and the situation reveals itself in all its morbid splendor. I got this as an ARC from the author. I knew what I was getting into, having reviewed some of the author’s other books, but the story stretched my limits. The writing is fast-paced as usual, sometimes compassionate, mostly graphic, though without the slightest hint of gore for its own sake. Essig is being very serious with the narrative: though he pulls no punches, and he takes care of the details (the babies themselves cannot do punches, their bite has no teeth, their skull is soft, etc.), he knows precisely when to stop. Highly recommended for fans of extreme horror.

[Ali O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby Fights by Robert Essig
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Entertaining and super odd horror novella.
It’s a very original plot-line and the story is extremely descriptive and graphic.

It seems like when you have too much money, you can get yourself into weird situations.
Wealthy people begin betting on fighting babies. These babies are given angel dust before their fight, to make for an exciting and brutal fight.

I listened to the audio version of this interesting story and the narrator did a great job!
It’s a fast past book and I flew through it. I definitely needed to find out how this intense and crazy story was going to end!
Overall I found the story to be creative, well written and pretty wild!!

To the death… 👶🍼👶🍼
*check triggers*

[David Swisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you pick up a book called Baby Fights with a cover like this one, you think you know what you're in for, but I assure you that you are in for much more than that when you read this.

This was my first read by Robert Essig, and all in all it was enjoyable. I know it's a little silly to expect a book called Baby Fights to be realistic, but I was a little disappointed at how portions were just a little much to suspend belief on, which is my only real knock on this book.

I shall pick up more Essig, and I would recommend this to any fan of bizarre/extreme horror.

[Taylor Dawicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly thank you to Robert Essig for providing me with a free Audiobook of Baby Fights for my honest review!

This was a good read. Horrific yet hilarious! I loved the concept of Baby Fights, but the plot was so interesting. A great story of kidnapping and escape for the woman, a crazy bored man with too much free time and money, and 2 goons with too much baggage to escape their fates, this book has a lot to it for being so short.

5 bruised stars for Baby Fights!

[Anke Struik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that I read during downtime on work and what an adventure it was. It was strange at points, having read some parts and talk to customers after but I had a good time. It was a very easy read with some gore moments. Was just enjoying my time and didn't go and look for some deep meanings