WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

gripping
    adj 1: capable of arousing and holding the attention; "a
           fascinating story" [syn: absorbing, engrossing,
           fascinating, gripping, riveting]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

29 Moby Thesaurus words for "gripping":
   absorbing, arresting, attractive, clinging, compelling, compulsive,
   consuming, driving, enchanting, engaging, engrossing, enthralling,
   fascinating, grasping, holding, hypnotic, impelling, keeping,
   magnetic, mesmeric, mesmerizing, obsessing, obsessional, obsessive,
   possessing, preoccupying, retentive, spellbinding, tenacious