If it seems like you can’t sneeze without hitting a pop-culture vampire, you may be right. But author Richelle Mead has effectively tapped into our obsession with all things bloodsucking in her bestselling Vampire Academy series, which follows the adventures of half-vampire/half-human Rose and the Moroi (good) vampire best friend, Lissa, to whom she’s assigned as bodyguard.

The sixth and final installment, The Last Sacrifice, finds the Moroi world in the middle of a struggle for power. And Rose is a victim of that struggle, awaiting execution by the enemies of Lissa. Will Rose and Lissa need to turn to the evil Strigoi for help in restoring order?

Richelle Mead: The Last Sacrifice @ Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South, 801-524-8200, Dec. 15, 7 p.m., free. SLCPL.org