fascinating vs gripping

fascinating and gripping both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
fascinating	No	Yes	No	No
gripping	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, fascinating and gripping are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of fascinating include absorbing, engrossing, riveting.

fascinating (adjective)	gripping (adjective)
capturing interest as if by a spell	capable of arousing and holding the attention
capable of arousing and holding the attention