The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough - 4 stars

[annapi]

Most of humanity has been wiped out by an alien plague that either kills them or reduces them to primitive savages. The last remaining place of sanity on Earth is Darwin, Australia, where the same aliens sent a spaceship that built an elevator to space, an elevator that emits an aura that nullifies the plague. The elite of Earth live in orbit above the elevator, and they provide food while relying on those in charge below to provide air.

The heroes in this story are a band of people who are immune to the plague. Their leader Skyler Luiken runs a scavenging operation, being able to roam the earth beyond the elevator's safe aura. But something is causing the elevator to malfunction, and orbital scientist Tania Sharma, under the leadership of the rich mogul Neil Platz, is trying to figure out how to fix things. Complicating their efforts is the ambition of Russell Blackfield, who controls the stronghold at the base of the elevator and intends to take over what is left of the world.

This is science fiction at its finest, with a fascinating cast of characters and a rich, sweeping story that doesn't end in one book, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out how it all ends.