Caste

The Corporation #1

by RaeLynn Fry

Seventeen-year-old Karis Singh’s little brother is dying and the Corporation’s Analysis has concluded that he’s not worth saving. One thing is stopping her from going into the city and stealing the medicine herself—the tattooed Mark that physically bars her from entering. The only way around that is to get it altered in the Black Market— an act that carries the possibility of a horrific and slow death— guaranteeing her the access she needs.

Willing to do whatever it takes, she accepts the help of the mysterious Ethan, a boy with an agenda of his own and who knows too much about the enemy. As her time in the city passes, dark secrets are uncovered about the Corporation and what really happened to her brother. When the tables turn and the stakes get higher, Karis is forced to align herself with the deadliest beast of all, risking everything in order to save her brother.

Now, the most treacherous part of Karis’ plan is staying alive long enough to make it back home.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Ebooks

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2013

About the author

The first thing you need to know about RaeLynn Fry is that she hates writing about herself in the third person, but she has been told it is more "professional", so this is her attempt at being a grown up.

​RaeLynn loves all things Young Adult: books, tv shows, movies, discussions. She loves the newness that YA brings and the experiences that come with growing up. She reads and writes voraciously; sometimes it just takes her a little longer than others to finish.

​She has been married for a LONG time and has two beautiful girls, an adorable little boy, and a dog. She lives in the amazing state of Idaho and loves doing anything outdoors. She used to be a competitive Irish dancer and if you ask nicely, she may just dance you a genuine jig. She has an unhealthy obsession with expensive handbags and too-tall high heels. And office supplies. And books. And fine point pens (because those are, honestly, the only kind any of you lot should be using). She loves the X-Files and Jesus, but not in that order.

​Overall, she's pretty laid back, disorganized, and pretends to have an astute attention to detail. But that is a lie she will readily admit. She also has a killer personality and great sense of humor.

​She has a passion for writing and supporting the writing community and young authors. She is one of the founding members of #TheWriterCommunity.

Her current series is a YA Dystopian with the last installment coming out this year. Go and read them!

​There, she did it. How'd she do?

You can find her on Instagram & Facebook @RaeLynnFry, and her website, www.RaeLynnFry.com. Add her books and leave a review where you bought your book and Goodreads. Don’t forget to tag her in any of your posts! She loves interacting with her readers.

Reviews

[Nicolette Beebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything!!!! RaeLynn is clearly a well-established, talented, and detail-oriented author. The world building in Caste was unbelievable! I must learn her ways! Add in a dystopian society, high stakes involving her brother’s life, and a splash of romance, and I’m all in! I am shipping Karis and Ethan hard! All around a well executed novel that will last with me for a long time!! 🤩

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 3.5. I liked this one but I must admit that some things were predictable & it could use a good editing polish (hopefully the author will be able to do an update that at least changes the many instances of "gate" where she really means "gait" & "Hughes's" instead of "Hughe's" & "conscious" was used when "conscience" was meant once or twice as well). The word usage gaffes were the most deterrent to story flow & each time they took me out of the moment. The story itself is, overall, a good one & I enjoyed reading about Karis & her quest to save Ajna. There were some things that happened far too easily for her & one glaring one was the pretty much insta-love with Ethan. I'd already bought into her feelings for Kavin being real because that's how it was laid out in the beginning, so I couldn't really invest in Karis/Ethan when the main of the story between them takes place over the span of about a week. Having Mr. Singh throw in his support behind the couple at the end, didn't sell me either. Karis got over Kavin, her Pair, whom she'd known all her life & says that she truly loved even before they'd been paired, in a blink. He was cast out into the Further, not dead & was part of her reason to want to strike back at The Corporation but she didn't think about him much. Ethan's declaration of eternal love... m'kay. I'm still pulling for Kavin to be saved. Karis/Ethan can be together but I just don't care.

Still, at least there was more to this story than the "love" & that's where it shined mostly. The reveal of Ethan's identity was the most predictable element & seemed almost interminable as the story progressed & Karis remained clueless. I quite enjoyed the bits of Neech shown, from the factory where Karis & Journey work to the Black Market. The Masquerade in Dahn was well done & where one of the most compelling interactions in the entire story takes place, between Akin & Karis. The action picked up a bit somewhere after 70% & the momentum was good until the end, even if some things happened too easily for the characters or others were simply not even explained. The final play was good & I look forward to the next book, but I was disappointed that none of the characters even considered that would happen (I don't even know why any of them were keen to participate in the Jatis after everything that they now knew).

Overall, a good story that I'm interested enough in to continue with the series. I'm glad this was in my via Amazon Recommendations.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this twice before it was published. it's a great dystopian novel and I can't wait for the sequel!

[Cheer Papworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars: Imagine a Dystopian society that exists of two cities; one city, Dahn, sits at the center and houses the rich and powerful and another city, Neech, that surrounds it with the poor and working class. Barriers exists between cities and around the perimeter to keep out the evil that lurks in the post-apocalyptic unknown called The Further. Both cities are controlled by "The Corporation" run by Mr. Akin Hughes. Citizens of Neech and Dahn receive tattoos or marks at their Jatis or coming of age ceremony at the age of 8 years old. The marks can be scanned like a credit card, designate their career and they are "paired" for marriage...all decisions made by The Corporation.

Karis works for as a seamstress and lives in Neech with her young brother and father. Karis' pair is caught getting an illegal tattoo, which also makes him deathly ill, and banished to the Further along with his family. This corresponds with Karis' little brother Ajna coming down with a mysterious illness. In order to save her brother, Katis must obtain an illegal tattoo and enter the inner city of Dahn to find the cure.

This story would not be complete without a mysterious, incorrigible love interest for Karis named Ethan. He is a rebel that spreads illegal propaganda throughout Neech that informs citizens of The Corporation's nefarious dealings. Karis first meets him in Neech, but also discovers he has a life in Dahn where he is quite well known. Although Ethan's true identity wasn't a mystery for me at all, I thought the relationship between Karis and Ethan was well played. I also give huge props to RaeLynn Fry for writing a devious dystopian villain...Mr. Hughes gives me the creeps for sure! I also really like the set-up at the conclusion which clearly leaves a reader ready and eager for the next book.

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, it was a fun and enjoyable read, but it needs a thorough editing!!! Conscience was used instead of conscious more than once, there were a lot of typos, other misused words... Kind of distracting. That said, I will probably read the sequel if there is one!

[Farah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting idea for a story and a quick read. Unfortunately, it's really predictable and needs some serious editing (tons of typos, misspellings, and incorrectly used words frequently took me out of the story). Still, the storyline is compelling enough for me to continue when the new books are released.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! such a great world that Ms Fry created for us. I'm dying to know how this all turns out.

if you are a fan of post apocalyptic, dystopian novels, this is the book for you. I do not like to compare books to other books, or authors to authors, however, if you are a Hunger Games fan or The Eden trilogy, this is definitely a book for you.

[RaeLynn Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, It's my book, so obviously I think it's fantastic. :)

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Great distopian story

[Katherine Holmquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I better see the next one out soon!!!!

[Summer Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great dystopian story.

[Jenny Houfek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story line

[Christine Tiongson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Can't wait for the next one

[Monica Beckstrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great dystopian book. I am sad I have to wait! It is a book I would recommend to my more advanced sixth grade students, and to my daughter who just graduated from high school.

[Tali Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to finish reading an arc that was sent to me the author herself and let me tell you, she might just be bringing us back into the dsytopian fiction era that we loved so much back in the 2010s!

Her new novel Caste, had me engaged the entire time, the novel is split up over a series of days where we get a look into the life of our FMC Karis, who personally hates The Corporation and everything it stands for.

We also get to see a glimpse into our MMC Ethan life as well, and the encounters he has with Karis as they tackle the Corporation together.

I don't wanna say too much without giving the whole story away but it was good it had me on edge wanting to know more at the end of every chapter!

My rating of this novel stands at 4.4/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, but goodreads only let's me rate it 4 stars. I truly enjoyed reading it, the plot really keeps pulling the reader in! It reminded of a lot of dsytopian novels and movies I remembered reading and watching as a teen, like The Divergent and Maze Runner trilogies. And Karis reminds me a lot of Tris from Divergent. Anyways yall go read her new novel and send her tons of love because its release day for Caste! Go get you an e-book or a paperback!!

[S.E.Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caste was a fun read. I gave it 4 stars, but my true review is 3.5. It has all the things a good book needs; a well developed world, fleshed out characters, and sufficient action. The only thing holding me back from a perfect review was simply that I'm not a huge fan of teen romance side plots. But of course that's personal preference and not a quality deduction.

I loved the main character. She was strong, but also realistic in her strength. I admired her determination to push through her trials and protect her brother.

[Noby Somy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books are a window to the writer’s past, present and future. To their soul.

Ajna is a beautiful young soul we could find even in the eldest and most mature, while Karis’s love is as pure as children’s. We had a pinch of everything, love and ire, good and evil, light and gloom. The balance of the feather of creativity.

I loved the story and the fact that RaeLynn managed to build such a story, avoiding the standards the present society puts, such as the excess toxicity and abusive behaviour.

Waiting for more and becoming one of your biggest fans.

[Kim Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addictive story

As I sit in quarantine with the rest of the world in April 2020, I find myself looking forward to the fun escape I know I'll get as I open up this intriguing story. Overcoming hardship and outwitting oppressors is a strong theme wrapped in mystery and a dash of romance!

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok. Nothing unique about this story. Very much like all the other dystopian novels I have read. At least it kept me interested until the end.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was anxious, excited, heartbroken. Just truly taken through the ringer and I couldn’t put it down.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edit: Coming at you from 2025 and further reflection, I’d give this 2 stars ⭐️⭐️

Original review from 2023: Book description: In a dystopian future where the government is a Corporation and citizens are branded with “marks” (tattoos containing nano technology) that restrict where they can travel, act as their debit card, and determine their career and future “pair” (spouse), one young woman, Karis, is willing to do whatever it takes to save her little brother’s life when he falls ill. The Corporation’s cost analysis decides Ajna’s life isn’t worth the medicine it will take to save him, so Karis risks her life to alter her “mark” and leave her slum city for the rich city next door to try to get her hands on the medicine that might save him.

On her way, her path entangles with that of a trouble-making young man, Ethan, who wanders the slums with rebel propaganda but who also seems strangely knowledgeable and comfortable amongst the upper crust folks in the rich city next door. Karis can’t get the medicine alone, so she will have to trust Ethan and his friends to help her, even when it means crossing horns with the President of the Corporation himself.

*

I really wanted to like this book. The first person POV and present tense voice definitely made it easy to get sucked into, reading ten or twenty pages really quickly and without much effort. The characters and some of their banter was also enjoyable, though Ethan’s secrets were quite easy to figure out long before Karis managed it.

However, there were a number of things that distracted me and threw me out of the story. I noticed 40+ typos throughout the book before I lost count. The pacing was odd in places, very slow at the beginning and sometimes Karis is just kinda doing stuff to kill time while she waits for things to happen. Also weirdly slow again the last twenty pages or so—there’s a sense of urgency, fear that the Corporation will descend on them, it seemed like the end of the book… but then the book kept going, and weeks have gone by and nothing has happened.

Certain plot elements felt out of place (going to a masked ball to find a drug supplier who then turns out to be unable to help them later anyway, for instance). And the rivals to lovers trope, which can be quite fun, happens quickly enough to seem odd (a bit over a week), especially considering one of them had just lost their previous partner in a somewhat traumatic way.

Lastly, it’s a difficult balance between setting up enough questions to intrigue the reader into reading a sequel and setting up so many questions that the reader feels like they’ve missed something. For me, this book leans a bit into the latter. For instance, it seems important to later books that the President apparently knows everything about Karis, even things she’s tried to keep private, but also, contradictorily, it seems important to later books that she is also somehow able to successfully hide various other characters from the Corporation in her house.

Additionally, the solutions to the characters’ problems at the end felt a bit deus ex machina to me. The solution didn’t come because of any intentional action from the protagonists, but because someone either handed it to them or revealed they’d incidentally had what they needed all along. It stretches the suspension of disbelief a little too far for me.

I do want to note that though this book had problems for me, I wouldn’t say it is a bad book. Older kid and teen readers for whom this is their first exposure to dystopian may really enjoy this book! Adults with similar reading experience to me might struggle with it. I really enjoy the dystopian genre and had high hopes for this one as it had a lot of potential, but unfortunately I think I got lost in the weeds on this one.

Thank you to the author for a free e-arc of this book. This review is entirely honest and my own.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the dystopian novel "Caste", two cities are governed by a ruthless Corporation; the Outer City of Neech, its citizenry half-starved and burdened with providing for the inhabitants of Dahn, the privileged Inner City. As the plot unfolds production quotas and hours of work have increased for the labourers in Neech just as their air has become fouler and their provisions reduced. In the Singh household, seventeen year old Karis is perturbed by the newsletter that appears daily on their doorstep, detailing the Corporation's sinister plans for Neech's populace. Only when her brother Ajna suddenly becomes ill and the Corporation's Analysis declares him not valuable enough to save, does she begin to believe the truth. Determined that he won't die she sacrifices her safety by having her tattoo altered in the Black Market so she can enter Dahn and acquire the medicine he needs. Into this riveting mix add Ethan, the boy who wants to help Karis although it could mean jeopardizing his plans and exposing his mysterious identity.
The action doesn`t stop as the plot heats up and lies and secrets begin to unravel.
The personalities of the main characters develop and expand as the story progresses; determined and stubborn Karis struggles to find a cure without sacrificing her independence, ingenious and resourceful Ethan finds love and purpose where he least expects it. Even the minor characters are memorable; Ella, the dedicated medic and staunch revolutionary determined to uncover the source of a disease that cripples and kills, Karis`s estranged mother tenaciously protecting the daughter she loves and their nemesis Akin, the power-hungry authoritarian leader of the Corporation.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and expect the struggles of Karis and Ethan to be as exciting in Raelynn Fry`s next book.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this dystopian book and the clash between Neech and Dahn! Caste

The story is told from the main character, Karis Singh's perspective. Karis was raised in the city, Neech, and has never been outside of its borders. Neech is extremely impoverished and the citizens struggle to survive, while being constantly pushed by "The Corporation" to work harder, longer hours and increase production, just to see it go to the city of Dahn.

Dahn is filled with the upper class citizens and the two cities are separated by a huge wall. No one can cross the border without having the proper caste's tattoo on their wrist. Tattoos are administered annually at a Jatis, or coming of age ceremony by the Corporation. The tattoos not only define the class of citizen you belong to, but the job you will have, how much money you will make and who you will be "Paired" with.

A problem arises when Karis' younger brother Ajna falls deathly ill with a mysterious sickness just before his Jatis. The family petitions the Corporation for medication that could save his life, but it has been denied. Karis is then faced with risking her own life by illegally having her tattoo altered by a black market tattoo artist, who may very well give her a faulty tattoo, so she can cross the border into Dahn and try to find a cure for Ajna.

There are many more twists and turns in this captivating story, but you’ll have to read it for yourself to see what happens! I myself can’t wait for the second book in the series, The Outcast, to be released, to find out what happens next.

[Carien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been on a Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic reading spree lately so when Fry offered me a review copy of Caste I jumped at the chance.

Caste is a very nice Dystopian read.

I will confess it took me a while to warm up to Karis, she's a bit grumpy at the start of the story, but once the story really got going, and I learned more about the world Karis was living in I could understand why she was a grump at times and I started to cheer her on.

The world building was intriguing and well done. I could easily picture the depressing city where Karis lives and I really liked the idea of two cities coexisting, while both cities are being kept in the dark about the real workings within the neighboring city. As a setting for this story it worked really well.

The story itself is entertaining, though a bit predictable at times. Some plot twists I saw coming from miles away while Karis was totally surprised, which she wouldn't have been if she would have stopped to think about things in my opinion.

That small grumbling aside I very much enjoyed the story and both the hints at possible things to come dropped throughout the story and the cliffhanger ending make me curious to read the sequel once it's available.

[Maiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:3.5 stars, rounded to 4
Thank you so much Raelynn Fry for the ARC! I'm looking forward to Karis and Ethan's next adventure!!

This book was really interesting! I feel like this dystopian genre was so popular 10 years ago with Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, etc. But this was really good! I enjoyed Karis's journey to save her brother and the banter between Karis and Ethan. Ethan's identity was a *little* predictable, and I was left with a lot of questions as I read the last 50 pages of the book, but it makes me eager to read the second book!

What I didn't like was that the world-building was a little intense to get through and I was just soooo ready to dive into the plot. And while Ethan and Karis *did* have chemistry, I thought their relationship went a bit fast. At the beginning of the story, Karis loses someone she loved and I think she just got over them way too fast before falling in love again (and in less than 1 week). However I'm interested to see how their relationship will grow in the next book!

[Tracy Decresie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those dystopian books that makes you go "Hmmmm" and see how it could be applied to life today where there is almost an unspoken caste system.
This story revolves around Karis and the society she lives in where the government has tricked the lower caste, or those that live in Neech, into thinking they're "marks" are what destines their lives. In fact it's not that at all. A story where the politically corrupt sabotage the lower class into servitude.
I absolutely LOVED Ethan with his quick, funny, cocky personality. He teaches Karis what it's like to trust your heart, be brave and to fight for what you love.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, much different from the usual YA book. Neech is the hub of activity with the unfortunate residents working to death for the good of the people of Dahn with Karis, Papa, and brother Ajna part of this heart breaking situation. Momma has left leaving Papa and Karis left to make quotas for the privileged. They live in the worst conditions and believe what the Corporation tells them. But something happens to Kavin, Karis's pearing, and a mysterious strange appears. What is to happening in Karis?

I truly enjoyed this story and was surprised at the ending, but there is more to come. Thanks, RaeLynn! Can't wait for the next episode:)

[Sarah Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of YA dystopian fiction, and Caste hits the mark right on. The story of Karis, a mature teenager in working class Neech is very easy to get in to. The Corporation provides a modern day Big Brother figure, who deign to control all of the important decisions of Neech's citizens, from job, to marriage, to medical care.

RaeLynn Fry....please don't keep us waiting! I need to read the next Corporation novel ASAP!

I received this book as part of a GoodReads Give away. I look forward to buying the next one.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for dystopian YA fiction. I liked the premise of this story, and the descriptions and language used by the author were vivid and really helped me get a sense of the time and place these characters were living. I did not like the instant love connection between the heroine/hero, however. Also, many of the decisions the main character Karis (and some other secondary characters also) made did not make any logical sense, especially in light of her character development and the type of level-headedness, grown-up-before-her-time-ness the author has built in.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the storyline and the dystopic society. I liked Karis' stubbornness and her willingness to do anything for her family. The writing was well done and descriptive - it really painted the picture and the disparity between Neesh and Dahn.

Only complaint was that it needed editing. There were misuses of words, misspellings, etc. Not enough to distract me from the story, but noticeable.