The Heroes of Olympus, #1
The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan
Contents
IX PIPER
Overview
Piper dreams of a painful argument with her father, then a nightmare in which the giant Enceladus holds him hostage and orders her to serve the enemy during an impending quest. She wakes in the Big House, where Rachel and Argus confirm Hera is trapped. Jason and Annabeth have gone to seek Jason’s memories. Piper, torn between saving her father and betraying her friends, heads to the campfire to be claimed.
Summary
Piper dreams of a perfect beach day with her father that sours when his assistant Jane arrives to report Piper’s latest stunt—stealing a BMW to get his attention. Her father, distant and overwhelmed, accepts Jane’s plan to send Piper to a Nevada boarding school, despite Piper’s pleas for connection and normalcy.
The dream shifts to a mountaintop where a colossal giant, Enceladus, threatens Piper and reveals her father is his hostage. He commands Piper to follow the coming quest and serve his purposes, promising both their lives if she complies—or to devour them if she fails.
Piper wakes in the Big House infirmary gripping Katoptris. Rachel Dare explains Piper collapsed when Hera spoke through her, that Chiron treated her with nectar, and that Argus, created by Hera, is anxiously guarding her. Piper recounts the message about Hera’s captivity, the earth’s threat, a fiery one, and a solstice deadline.
Rachel adds that Jason and Annabeth were there but left to pursue a lead that might recover Jason’s memories. Piper wrestles with guilt and fear—her forced choice between saving her father and betraying her friends—and her insecurity about her relationship with Jason.
Rachel predicts Piper will be claimed at the evening campfire and suggests that knowledge may bring clarity. Still conflicted, Piper follows Rachel and Argus to the campfire to learn her divine parentage.
Who Appears
- Piper McLeanProtagonist; recalls a fractured day with her father, is threatened by Enceladus, wakes at camp conflicted about saving her dad versus loyalty.
- Piper’s fatherFamous actor; distant yet caring. Defers to Jane about disciplining Piper and becomes Enceladus’s hostage in Piper’s dream.
- EnceladusGiant in Piper’s nightmare; claims her father as hostage and orders Piper to aid his plans during the quest.
- Rachel Elizabeth DareOracle; comforts Piper, explains Hera’s possession and nectar, predicts Piper’s claiming, and notes Jason and Annabeth’s lead.
- JaneFather’s assistant; reports Piper’s theft, arranges boarding school, emblem of managerial control over Piper’s life.
- ArgusCamp’s many-eyed head of security; created by Hera, anxiously guards Piper after her collapse.
- Jason GraceVisited Piper while she was unconscious; left with Annabeth to pursue a way to restore his memories.
- Annabeth ChaseSupports Jason’s memory quest; gave Piper Katoptris and hopes Piper will be claimed, possibly by Athena.