SOLVED. YA/A fantasy: interplanetary wars - colors symbolize classes. [s]

[Dave]

- series starts with hero working in mine - he is of the red slave class; he operates a very dangerous machine that cuts the rock face;
- gold class are the rulers but they are infiltrated by some of lower classes seeking to undermine the rulers;
- as series progresses, hero manages to rise through the ranks by disguising his class origins;
- I think colors gold/red/ etc might be reflected in the series titles;
- he eventually becomes one of top leaders and has to sacrifice many of his own and lower classes to defeat the gold group in power
- one of the planets where he recruits support against the power group is an ice planet led by an ice queen.

[Megan]

I think that is Red Rising by Pierce Brown.

[El]

Red Rising for Megan's suggestion

[Dave]

Yes thanks. Sorry, I should have done a google search before posting here. Appreciate the help.