Thanks to Alison Roberts for these ideas.
moves, intrigues, excites, provokes, challenges, disappoints, betrays, helps, prepares, vindicates, engages, confronts, amuses, interests, puzzles, shocks, frustrates, stirs, alienates, disturbs, rewards, angers, lures, captivates, comforts, admonishes, warns, unsettles, positions, undermines, primes, manipulates, satisfies.